The Nebraska Cornhuskers travel up north for a pivotal match-up against their Big-10 foes the Wisconsin Badgers. The game is slated to start on Saturday, October 29th at 7:00 p.m. ET and will be shown on the ESPN Network. The Badgers are an -8.5 point favorite and the over/under for the match-up is penciled in at 43.
The last times these two schools faced-off in October of 2015, the Badgers mounted a second half come-back and kicked the game-winning field goal with four seconds remaining. As a result, Wisconsin defeated the Cornhuskers by the score of 23-21.
#6 Nebraska (7-0):
Nebraska has struggled to get past some mediocre teams on their way to their 7-0 record this year. The Huskers had a hard fought victory over Northwestern, and scored 21 unanswered points in a come from behind victory over Illinois. They also needed another 17 unanswered points to beat Purdue last week 27-14.
Leading the way for Nebraska and their come-back bids has been their senior leader under center Tommy Armstrong Jr. The multi-dimensional back is getting the job accomplished with his arm as well as his feet. So far, he has passed for over 1,600 yards with 11 touchdowns and five picks. Armstrong also has ran the football 81 times for 380 yards and six more scores.
When Tommy Armstrong Jr. isn’t tucking the ball and running, he is handing it off to tail backs Terrell Newby and Devine Ozigbo. Together, they have pushed the ball down field for over 800 yards and eight trips to pay-dirt. To the Huskers dismay, Ozigbo did not play in last week’s game and is listed as questionable for this match-up with a bum ankle.
The Husker’s quarterback likes to spread the ball around when Nebraska looks to move the ball through the air. Six different receivers have caught double digit receptions in 2016 and five of them have touchdowns.
Added together, they have brought in 75 passes for over 1,200 yards and nine scores. Senior standout Jordan Westerkamp finally returns to play for Nebraska and should make an immediate upgrade. He led the Cornhuskers in 2015 with 65 catches for over 900 yards and seven touchdowns.
Opponents are throwing the football over 34 times a contest against the Nebraska defense, which is third most in the BIG-10. In large part because of the huskers 27th ranked run defense. The front seven is only allowing 124.7 yards a game and the defense as a whole are only giving up 17.7 points to their competitors.
#11 Wisconsin (5-2):
Unlike Nebraska, the Badgers have faced some of the best teams in college football over their first seven contests. In fact, this game will mark the first time that a Wisconsin has faced four teams that have ranked inside the top 10 in a season.
The Badgers score their points by grinding out first downs behind their mammoth offensive line. But when they do pass, they call upon their replacement quarterback Alex Hornibrook to get crucial third down conversions. His limited numbers are modest at best, throwing for 877 yards with five touchdowns and six picks.
Almost 65 percent of the time you can expect the Badgers to hand the ball off to tail backs Corey Clement and Dare Ogunbowale. The powerful runners have combined for nearly 200 carries, totaling 835 yards and seven touchdowns.
Three Wisconsin receivers benefit from the play-action pass as well as one on one coverage because of the Badgers constant run onslaught. Statistically, all three wide outs are about equal. As a whole, they have caught almost 70 passes for just under 1,000 yards and four scores. It is uncertain whether receiver Robert Wheelwright will play due to a nagging ankle injury.
Defensively, Wisconsin has one of the stingiest units in the nation. They’re 9th in the country, giving up only 300 yards a game. They also sit in the top 10 in the country (9th) against the run. The collaboration of these efforts shows on the score board. The Badgers give way to only 14 points a match. To the schools dismay, the physical games have taken it’s toll on the Badger defense. Leading tackler Chris Cichy, is out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle.
Trends and Notes:
The Cornhuskers are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 road games.
The Badgers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 conference games.
The Under is 6-0 in the Cornhuskers last 6 conference games.
The Under is 8-3 in the Badgers last 11 home games.
The Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Game Prediction:
The Nebraska Cornhuskers have their work cut-out for them for this weekend’s visit to Camp Randall. They better not play complacent football to start this game or they will find themselves stuck with their first loss.
For the Wisconsin Badgers, it’s business as usual once again when they face another top 10 opponent at home in a night game. The Badgers will look to impose their will with their ground attack and keep Nebraska’s Tommy Armstrong Jr. on the sidelines.
Las Vegas has set this total at 43 and has Wisconsin as an eight point favorite because of the quality of teams the Huskers have faced this season. Neither of these lines seem agreeable.
Yes, this game will not be a shoot-out but Nebraska should score enough to cover that spread. They are lucky enough to go against a weary and banged-up Wisconsin defensive unit. On the flip side, other schools do not possess the Badgers ability to force Nebraska out of their defensive comfort zone, by loading the box to stop the run. This will make the Huskers susceptible to the play-action pass.
Taking all of that in, Tommy Armstrong Jr. has been money in the fourth quarter and Wisconsin will find some success down field from the play-action pass. Take the over 43 for the play. It also wouldn’t hurt any feelings if you think dog in this match-up either.
