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The Nebraska Cornhuskers will travel to square off with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a Friday night Big Ten college football matchup. With that said, it’s a good time to check out our college football odds series, which includes a Nebraska-Rutgers prediction and pick, laid out below.
Nebraska has fallen from grace since their heights of the 1990s, firing famed alum Scott Frost after four full seasons and the beginning of a fifth. The team has gone 2-3 this season, including a 1-1 mark under interim coach Mickey Joseph, another Nebraska alum.
Rutgers has gone 3-2 this season, with close wins against Boston College and Temple. The team is on a current two-game losing streak to open conference play. This game is one of a few winnable ones left for Rutgers in their quest for six wins and a bowl berth.
Here are the Nebraska-Rutgers college football odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
College Football Odds: Nebraska-Rutgers Odds
Nebraska Cornhuskers: -3 (-108)
Rutgers Scarlet Knights: 3 (-112)
Over: 48.5 (-115)
Under: 48.5 (-105)
Why Nebraska Could Cover The Spread
Offense has not been the issue for Nebraska, with the team averaging 31.4 points per game in their five games. New quarterback Casey Thompson has thrown for 1,265 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions, completing 65 percent of his passes. Thompson has added five touchdowns on the ground. Anthony Grant has been spectacular, leading the team with 600 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. Ajay Allen is second on the team with 190 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Trey Palmer leads the team with 36 catches for 480 yards and two touchdowns. Marcus Washington is second with 14 catches for 213 receiving yards, although he has not hauled in a touchdown. Five other Huskers have totaled one touchdown catch each.
Nebraska's defense has struggled mightily, allowing 32.6 points per game, playing a huge role in the firing of Frost. Luke Reimer leads the team with 44 tackles, breaking up three passes and registering one sack. Nebraska has sacked their opponents seven times this season, led by Garrett Nelson and his three sacks. Marques Buford, Jr. leads the team with two interceptions, while Reimer has the team's only other interception. Nebraska has recovered three fumbles this season.
Why Rutgers Could Cover The Spread
Rutgers' offense is led by highly touted Evan Simon, who has thrown for 640 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions, completing 60 percent of his passes. Rutgers' rushing attack is the story of this offense. The team has rushed for an impressive 850 yards and eight touchdowns total. Samuel Brown V leads the team with 210 rushing yards and is tied for the team lead with two touchdowns. Kyle Monangai and Al-Shadee Salaam each have two touchdowns as well. Aron Cruickshank leads the team with 20 receptions for 172 receiving yards, hauling in two touchdown catches. Johnny Langan and Shameen Jones are the other two Scarlet Knights with over 100 receiving yards, with Langan hauling in a touchdown. Rutgers is averaging 24.8 points per game.
Rutgers is allowing 23.6 points per game this season. Christian Izien leads the team with 37 tackles, adding three tackles for a loss, one and a half sacks, and three pass breakups. Rutgers has totaled ten sacks on the season, led by three from Tyreem Powell. Robert Longerbeam leads the team with two interceptions, while four others have totaled one each. Shaquan Loyal brought his interception back for a touchdown.
Final Nebraska-Rutgers Prediction & Pick
These are two bad teams with shotty defense. Plan accordingly.
Final Nebraska-Rutgers Prediction & Pick: Rutgers -3 (-112), over 48.5 (-115)
