Nebraska got the benefit of running up against a Fresno State team in its home opener that made wholesale changes on both sides of the ball in the offseason. It still took them until the fourth quarter to be able to put some serious separation between themselves and the Bulldogs on the scoreboard. They don’t have that advantage this week with a game Wyoming club paying Lincoln a visit with the hope of building off last week’s overtime win against Northern Illinois.
This matchup in Week 2 of the regular season will take place on Saturday, September 10, 2016, at 12 p.m. ET at Memorial Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Wyoming +24
Nebraska -24
Odds Analysis
For the second straight week, linemakers expect Big Red to cruise to victory. They covered as 28.5 point home favorites last week and are once again the choice of the offshores – this time by 24 points.
The betting public is yet to tip its hand on this one, but early week betting has seen better than 93 percent of the action roll in on the Huskers yet you can back the home team at reduced -105 juice. Headscratcher there!
It’s only a matter of time until this line plummets. Sharps are likely waiting for the donks to inflate this line even more before striking big on the Cowboys plus a heaping load of points.
Coaching Angle
Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl has a history with the University of Nebraska from his days of being a graduate assistant from 1981-83 and a linebackers coach and defensive coordinator from 1995-2002. Some Cowboys have already also had the experience of traveling to Lincoln to square off against the Cornhuskers in front of their rabid fan base.
For those that haven’t, Bohl will be able to put them at ease and explain everything and anything they should expect. Having a coach that’s already fought the battle you’re about to go into has a calming effect that spreads like wildfire in most cases.
Key Matchup
If last week tells us anything, Nebraska will be doing a lot more running of the football than passing it this season. Tommy Armstrong Jr. attempted just 10 overall passes last week, and only completed half of them for 108 yards and a touchdown. Big Red ran the ball a whopping 51 times for 292 yards with Devine Ozigbo and Terrell Newby getting a bulk of the carries (28).
The Cowboys did a solid job containing the Huskies ground attack limiting Kenny Golladay and company to just 133 yards on 37 carries – a 3.6 yards per carry average. They did however get ripped apart through the air for 329 yards and three touchdowns.
So, it’s quite simple – relatively speaking - for the Cowpokes defensively. Stop Nebraska’s three-headed running back monster and force the offense out of its comfort zone. Make Armstrong sling the pigskin. If they do that, they’ll be rewarded – likely with turnovers.
Free ATS Pick
Last week was incredibly emotional for the Nebraska Cornhuskers as they memorialized Sam Foltz by lining up without a punter and taking a delay of game penalty to pay homage to the job he did throughout his time in Lincoln.
Fresno State just wasn’t able to take advantage of what could still be a very bad Nebraska secondary. The Cowboys do however possess some weapons that can get the job done. Josh Allen was solid last week in completing 19 of his 29 passes for 245 yards and two touchdown strikes. Brian Hill proved to be a workhorse rushing the pigskin 33 times for 125 yards. He once again looks to be one of the Mountain West’s best. And don’t forget about the deadly wide receiver duo of senior wide receivers Jake Maulhardt and Tanner Gentry who combined for 13 receptions, 210 yards and one touchdown.
Bottom line, the Cowboys have some major offensive firepower and an experienced front wall to at the very least cover this number in garbage time should it get to that point. I don’t think it does though. Add to the mix the fact that the Oregon Ducks and their Quack attack are paying Memorial Stadium a visit next week, and I can’t help but think the Cowpokes are going to be a thorn in Big Red’s disinterested side all game long.
College Football Odds: Nebraska 35, Wyoming 24
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