Nebraska at Ohio State Week 10 Expert Pick & Odds

Posted by Eric Williams on Monday,July 25, 2016 3:37, EDT in

If you’re excited about the upcoming 2016 college football season and you’re looking to cash in early and often then you’re going to love the college football odds betting selection that you’re about to get on the Week 10 matchup between Big Ten rivals, Ohio State and Nebraska.

Let’s Take a Closer Look at the Nebraska at Ohio State Odds & TV Info

When: Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 7:00 PM ET
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
TV: ESPN
Radio: Nebraska / Ohio State
Stream: Big Ten Network
NCAAF Odds: Ohio State -12.5

Why Bet The Nebraska Cornhuskers?

Nebraska (6-7 SU, 7-6 ATS) struggled mightily in 2015 in head coach Mike Riley’s first season at the storied football factory, but the Cornhuskers are poised to bounce back in a big way if all goes well in 2016.

Nebraska returns eight starters on offense, but lost four players with starting experience on an offensive line that was mediocre at best a year ago. Nevertheless, the Cornhuskers could contend for the Big Ten West title if they perform like they did in their season-ending 44-28 bowl game rout over Notre Dame.

Much of Nebraska’s success will be dependent upon the play of enigmatic quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. While the dual-threat signal-caller often looked phenomenal in passing for over 3,000 yards last season, he also looked inept at times in tossing 16 costly interceptions.

The good news is that Armstrong will be throwing the ball to a quartet of experienced receivers in Jordan Westerkamp, Alonzo Moore, Brandon Reilly and tight end Cethan Carter.

The Cornhuskers will g with a running back by committee approach featuring Terrell Newby, Devine Ozigbo and Mikale Wilbon, but again, there are serious question marks on the offensive line with Nick Gates and Dylan Utter as the only returning starters.

Defensively, Nebraska needs to improve significantly after allowing 27.8 points per game last season (76th) and ending the season at minus-12 in turnover margin. Nebraska has to address a defensive line that lost a whopping four tackles with a season of eligibility remaining, leaving Kevin Maurice as the only player with starting experience. Defensive ends Freedom Akinmoladun and Ross Dzuris are the only two other down linemen with experience with a modest eight starts between them.

Nebraska has plenty of experience at the linebacker position with a half-dozen players with experience, starting with seniors Josh Banderas and Michael Rose-Ivey. In the secondary, the Cornhuskers have a pair of experienced safeties, but equally inexperienced cornerbacks.

Nebraska ranked a stellar ninth against the run, but they also gave up a ton of yardage in finishing 122nd against the pass.

Why Bet The Ohio State Buckeyes?

Ohio State (12-1 SU, 6-7 ATS) lost only one game last season but failed to reach the four-team CFB Playoff, so the Buckeyes will enter 2016 with chip on their collective shoulders.

The Big Ten conference champs lost No. 2 all-time rusher in Ezekiel Elliott and elite defensive end Joey Bosa, not to mention All-American tackle Taylor Decker, wide receivers Jalin Marshall and Michael Thomas, all of whom are plying their craft in the NFL.

Did I forget to mention the Buckeyes also all-time yardage leader Braxton Miller, tight end Nick Vannett, their other starting tackle, backup quarterback Cardale Jones and gifted cornerback Eli Applewhite and safety Vonn Bell?

Still, the Buckeyes appear as well prepared to replace their departed stars as any team in the country.

While the offensive line needs to be rebuilt, Ohio State has a true superstar in dual-threat quarterback J.T. Barrett and tons of talent at the running back position.

On defense, head coach Urban Meyer has his work cut out in replacing eight starters, but they do have an All-Big Ten performer in middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan (119 tackles and a boatload of elite recruits that will nee to step up and shore up their front seven and the secondary.

Expert Betting Pick & Final Score Prediction

While the Buckeyes are the easy pick to get the win, I’m going with Nebraska to get the ATS cover against an Ohio State team that went 2-6 ATS at home last season and just 6-7 ATS as a favorite.

Nebraska went 3-2 ATS on the road a year ago and a near-perfect 4-1 ATS as an underdog. The Cornhuskers cover in a closer-than- expected loss.

My Pick: Ohio State 31 Nebraska 24