NIU vs. Nebraska Total Pick
Can Nebraska put on an offensive showcase at home when the Cornhuskers play host to Northern Illinois this afternoon at Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Nebraska is favored at home, as the Cornhuskers are getting odds of -13 points against Northern Illinois. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 56.5 points. These two teams haven’t met since 1990. Today’s game takes place from Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. The contest will air live on FS1.
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Nebraska is off to a 1-1 start to the season, beating Arkansas State while falling to Oregon last week. The Cornhuskers have managed to hit the over in both games, as each has totaled over 75 points. The Huskers concerns right now are on defense, as Nebraska is allowing 531.5 yards per game this season, including 390 yards per game through the air. Offensively, Nebraska is putting up 412 yards per contest. Tre Bryant is leading the offense with 299 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Tanner Lee has thrown for 490 yards and five touchdowns, but also has four interceptions. At receiver, Stanley Morgan Jr. has caught 12 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns.
Northern Illinois started the season with a 23-20 loss to Boston College at home and then followed it up with a 38-10 win over Eastern Illinois. The Huskies have hit the under in both of their games. The NIU defense is allowing just 263 yards per game this season while posting 433 yards per game on offense. The team lost starting quarterback and dual-threat option, Ryan Graham, to an injury but Daniel Santacaterina has filled in nicely. He has thrown for 252 yards with three touchdowns on 23 of 34 passing. Marcus Jones is the leading rusher with 111 yards and two touchdowns.
Bet on Northern Illinois vs. Nebraska
Something has to give with Nebraska. Either the offense is going to take a step back, or the defense is going to step up. The Huskers are 5-1 with the under in their last six home games and I think their defense will shine today against an NIU offense that is using a backup quarterback. Northern Illinois has hit the under in six of its last seven games as is, and I can see the Huskies posing a slight challenge to the Nebraska offense this afternoon.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: NORTHERN ILLINOIS/NEBRASKA UNDER 56.5