The Nebraska Cornhuskers were lucky to even qualify for a bowl game last season, as a dearth of six-win teams allowed the 5-7 program to earn a berth. The Huskies took advantage of it with a 37-29 win over UCLA in the Foster Farms Bowl and now expectations are high heading into the 2016 season. With many talented returners and each side of the ball, Nebraska’s projected win total has shot up to 8.5, as bettors must determine if the team will finish over or under that total in NCAA football gambling.
Expectations are higher for Nebraska because, despite the sub-.500 record, the team lost to five of those opponents by five points or fewer, which indicated some bad luck. The Cornhuskers averaged 32.8 points per game in 2015 and return many of the key playmakers. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong is back to lead the offense after throwing for 3,030 yards with 22 touchdowns and 16 interceptions a season ago. If Armstrong can cut down on the turnovers the offense should improve. He has his top target back as Jordan Westerkamp returns after hauling in 65 catches for 918 yards and seven touchdowns. The running game will be led by Terrell Newby, who had 765 yards rushing and six scores last year. While most of the key skill players are back, the biggest challenge for the offense will be replacing three offensive linemen starters from a year ago.
The Nebraska defense allowed 27.8 points per game last season and hopes to improve on that number in 2016. The team loses a pair of key pieces on its defensive line in Maliek Collins and Vincent Valentine. Collins had 29 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks a season ago, while Valentine had three sacks. Safety Nathan Gerry returns to lead the secondary after accumulating a team-high 79 tackles and four interceptions a year ago, while cornerback Joshua Kalu is back after contributing 75 tackles, five tackles for loss and three interceptions. If the defensive line can adequately replace its losses, the unit could be better as a whole. Dedrick Young and Marcus Newby are a pair of talented linebackers, while Freedom Akinmoladun will be counted on to lead the pass rush.
Nebraska has an early stretch which includes back-to-back contests against Oregon and Northwestern, and then a later stint which includes consecutive road games against Iowa and Ohio State. The Cornhuskers likely aren’t as good as a powerhouse like the Buckeyes, but could hang in with some of the other better teams on the schedule. While Nebraska went under .500 a season ago, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the team take a positive step forward in 2016 in NCAA football gambling.
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