Big Ten Football Showdown: (20) Nebraska Cornhuskers at Northwestern Wildcats

Nebraska-Northwestern
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Spread: NEB -7.5
Total: 47.5

Betting odds c/o 5dimes

The Nebraska Cornhuskers improved to 3-0 last week with a 35-32 victory over then-No. 22 Oregon. The victory moved the Huskers into the No. 20 ranking nationally, and it will travel to face Northwestern as it begins Big Ten play this week. The Huskers are 7.5 point favorites against the 1-2 Wildcats.

Nebraska won last week on a late TD by Tommy Armstrong Jr, as he threw a 34-yard pass on a QB draw to help the Huskers pass Oregon 35-32 in pulling a slight upset of the Ducks. Armstrong was 17 of 33 fro 200 yards with three TD passes, and he rushed for another 95 yards on a 16 carries with a rushing TD.

Nebraska rushed for 228 yards in the game, as Devine Ozigbo got it going to rack up 95 yards on 21 carries. He and Armstrong accounted for 190 of the 228 yards, with Terrell Newby being the only other notable rusher with 42 yards on seven carries.

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Nebraska gained 200 yards in the air, and it had four receivers with 35 yards or more, led by Jordan Westerkamp’s 39 yards on three catches and two TDs. The 6’0” senior wide receiver caught for 918 yards and seven TDs last season, but he is on pace to have an even better season this year. He is averaging 18.8 yards per catch and has a long-pass of 55 yards and four TDs through just three weeks.

Westerkamp has been a strong contributor the past two seasons and was impressive as a freshman in 2013. The build up has been ramping up to what should be his big senior season, and he has not disappointed so far.

Northwestern rebounded last week with a 24-13 win over Duke after having lost Weeks 1 and 2 to lowly Western Michigan and Illinois State. Clayton Thorson threw 18 of 39 last week for 320 yards and three TDs, but he did throw two interceptions while accruing a QBR of just 43.9. Justin Jackson was not efficient, but he did rush for 94 yards on 28 carries (3.4 yards per).

Only Jackson had any success rushing the football, as the rest of the team accounted for a total of -8 yards. Austin Carr was the star of the offense with six catches for 135 yards and a TD, as the Wildcats managed all three of its TDs in the pass game.

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Thorson is a sophomore and is coming off a tough freshman season that saw him throw for 1,522 yards last season with a 50.8 percent completion ratio. He threw more interceptions (nine) than TDs (seven) last season, and he was sacked 22 times.

Thorson has talent, but he is going to have to step it up this season if the Wildcats are to be much more than Big Ten doormats. He has already thrown two picks and is being sacked 3.67 times per game. It is not a good start for Northwestern football and the 1-2 Wildcats as they open the actual tough part of their season.

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ATS TRENDS

Nebraska
Cornhuskers are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game. Cornhuskers are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games overall. Cornhuskers are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games on grass. Cornhuskers are 4-1-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record. Cornhuskers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games in September. Cornhuskers are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 road games. Cornhuskers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Cornhuskers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game. Cornhuskers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.

Northwestern
Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 conference games. Wildcats are 16-6 ATS in their last 22 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game. Wildcats are 8-17 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. Wildcats are 7-16 ATS in their last 23 home games. Wildcats are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Wildcats are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.

OU TRENDS

Nebraska
Over is 5-0 in Cornhuskers last 5 games on grass. Under is 4-1 in Cornhuskers last 5 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game. Over is 7-2 in Cornhuskers last 9 road games.

Northwestern
Under is 6-1 in Wildcats last 7 games overall. Under is 4-1 in Wildcats last 5 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game. Under is 7-2 in Wildcats last 9 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game. Under is 17-5 in Wildcats last 22 games in September. Under is 27-8 in Wildcats last 35 home games. Under is 19-7 in Wildcats last 26 games on grass. Under is 7-3 in Wildcats last 10 games following a straight up win. Under is 21-9 in Wildcats last 30 vs. a team with a winning record. Over is 11-5 in Wildcats last 16 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.

HEAD TO HEAD

Underdog is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings. Road team is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings. Cornhuskers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings.

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