Nebraska Cornhuskers at Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview/Prop Picks
26 August 2022
Time: 12:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Nebraska 93.366; Northwestern 75.751
Dunkel Line & Total: Nebraska by 17 ½; 53
Vegas Line & Total: Nebraska by 12 ½; 50
Dunkel Pick: Nebraska (-12 ½); Over
The 2022 college football season is set to begin in Dublin, Ireland, as a pair of Big Ten West rivals are set to meet up. It will be the Nebraska Cornhuskers taking on the Northwestern Wildcats in a fun setting to begin what should be an exciting year.
Nebraska needs a bounce-back season under head coach Scott Frost, or it might be his last in Lincoln. The Cornhuskers were competitive a season ago but always seemed to come up just a bit short in what was a disappointing year.
Northwestern has been one of the best teams in the Big Ten West over the last ten years, but things went the wrong direction a season ago. The Wildcats were blown out in most games in 2021, but this team has a proven track record of success.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are 12.5-point betting favorites over the Northwestern Wildcats in the college football season opener.
Nebraska Wants to Push the Pace
For the first time in what feels like a decade, Adrian Martinez will no longer be under center for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Nebraska is going to go with Casey Thompson at that position, and he is talented enough to have a big year in the Big Ten Conference.
The Cornhuskers are going to be a team that pushes the tempo on offense, and they play differently than most Big Ten Conference teams. Nebraska has some question marks on offense, but that style of play is tough to deal with.
The Cornhuskers have some question marks up front, but they also have a terrific secondary. If Nebraska can stop the run, then they will be tough to score on.
Wildcats Looking For Defense
The Northwestern Wildcats were a complete mess on defense in 2021, giving up big plays all over the field. Northwestern spent the offseason attempting to improve that unit, and they have plenty of transfers that will see some offense.
Stopping the run will be a big key for the Wildcats, and they also have to find a way to get off of the field. Nebraska will be applying a ton of pressure, and Northwestern can’t allow the Wildcats to dictate the pace of play.
Northwestern is not planning on naming a starting quarterback until just before game time, but the Wildcats don’t have any stars at that position. The Wildcats will be looking to run the football in hopes of giving the defense a chance to rest.
Cornhuskers Cruise to Victory
Nebraska picked up a dominant 56-7 win over Northwestern a season ago, and both teams are going to be built the same way. This is not going to be a game that ends up in a rout of that fashion, but the teams are going to approach the game in the same way.
Northwestern will be improved on the defensive end, but they just aren’t going to have enough offense to win this one. Nebraska has some work to do on offense, but their style of play is eventually going to take over and control this one.
Bet the Nebraska Cornhuskers -12.5 over the Northwestern Wildcats as they roll to an impressive win to begin the 2022 college football season.
Prop Picks
Nebraska (-120) OVER 30.5 Points
Nebraska averaged 25.7 points per game on offense last season, which ranked No. 79 in FBS. Northwestern allowed 31.1 points per game on defense, which ranked No. 95 in FBS. That averaged increased to 38.8 points per game on the road.
With Dunkel predicting a Nebraska win by the score of 35-18, take the Huskers (-120) to finish OVER their Vegas team total of 30.5 points against the Wildcats.
Casey Thompson (-115) OVER 233.5 Passing Yards
Thompson threw for 2,113 yards last year at Texas, which ranked No. 81 in FBS, with a completion percentage of 63.2%, which ranked No. 52. Northwestern allowed an average of 223.6 passing yards per game last year, which ranked No. 58 in FBS. That average increased to 272.8 yards per game on the road.
With Dunkel predicting a Nebraska win while going OVER the Vegas team point total, take Thompson (-115) to finish OVER 233.5 passing yards versus Northwestern.
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