The Nebraska Cornhuskers travel west to represent to BIG-10 in Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon against the PAC-12’s Oregon ducks. The contest is scheduled to start on Saturday, September 9th at 4:30 p.m. EST. The gridiron match-up between the two universities can be seen on FOX. Coming into this game, the Oregon Ducks are -14 point favorites and the over/under is at 69.5.
The Cornhuskers had to hold off Arkansas State in a shootout, 43-36, in their home opener last week. Conversely, Oregon flew past Southern Utah 77-21 in an offensive display of firepower that looks to carry the Ducks back to glory after a dismal 2016.
The two schools have played one another on seven different occasions. The Cornhuskers hold a 6-1 advantage in the all-time series and have won the last five games. That also includes a 35-32 win at home on September 17 of last year.
Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0)
Nebraska offense managed to put up enough points to escape with a victory in their home opener against the Red Wolves. Now, the Cornhuskers head on the road looking to triumph over Oregon for the sixth straight time. Nebraska will have to perform a lot better than they did last Saturday.
Arkansas State had a chance to force overtime or win the game on the final play but their final pass attempt came up short. Furthermore, the Boys in Red lost the total yardage battle 497-463 and the first down match-up 32-25. That won’t cut the mustard against the offense that Oregon will put out on the field this weekend.
Tulane transfer Tanner Lee made his first start for Nebraska in their home opener. The new face did well, completing 19 of his 32 passes for 238 yards and two scores. Unlike previous quarterbacks at Nebraska, Lee is a pocket passer who won’t threaten opposing defenses with his running ability.
The Cornhuskers’ ground attack was centered around tail back Tre Bryant. Last week, Bryant toted the rock 31 times for an impressive 192 yards and two trips to the back of the end zone. Nebraska will once again look to oppose their will upfront against a suspect Oregon defensive line.
Wide receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. reeled in five passes for 102 yards and a score for the Cornhuskers. Also, De’Mornay Pierson-El ran twice for 23 yards and caught two passes for 20 yards and a touchdown. Lastly, wide out JD Spielman had two grabs for 44 yards but also ran a kickoff back 99 yards for a trip to glory. Unfortunately, the Nebraska defense gave up a punt return for a touchdown to the Red wolves.
The Cornhuskers’ defense looked shaky throughout the whole game against Arkansas State. As stated above, they gave up nearly 500 yards of total offense and were especially abused in their secondary. Quarterback Justice Hansen slung the ball around the field for over 400 yards and three touchdowns. The Black-shirts did manage to pick him off twice.
Oregon Ducks (1-0)
New head coach Willie Taggert brought his offense over from South Florida and apparently it’s still working just fine in Eugene. Oregon blew the doors off Southern Utah and cruised to an easy win. As a result, the Ducks scored 21 points in each of the first three quarters before scoring only 14 in the fourth. All totaled, Oregon rolled up 703 yards of offense in the game while surrendering 365 to the Thunderbirds.
Returning starter Justin Herbert completed 17 of 21 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown pass before sitting the rest of the game on the sidelines. The ducks were so far ahead, Taggert decided to give his back-up some playing time. In relief duty, quarterback Taylor Alie came in and hit all six of his throws for 74 yards while adding 10 more yards and a touchdown with his feet.
Running back Royce Freeman also returned to help bolster the Ducks offense in 2017. Last year, Freeman missed substantial time with injuries. In his return to the field, Freeman carried the ball 23 times for 150 yards and found the back of the end zone on four different occasions.
Complimenting Royce Freeman, was back field mate Kani Benoit. Benoit looked crisp, rushing for another 107 yards and three scores on just seven carries. In fact, Oregon ran the ball 52 times for 348 yards and nine touchdowns in the contest.
Wide out Charles Nelson led the receiving unit with five catches for 99 yards. Also, Royce Freeman added four grabs for 50 yards out of the back field. Slot receiver Jacob Breeland pitched in with three catches for 55 yards including their only touchdown reception. Finally, Tony Brooks-James got the Ducks off on the right foot by taking the opening kickoff back 100 yards for a score.
Overall, Oregon’s defense was pretty good in their win against southern Utah. The especially shined up front, where they allowed only 99 yards on 38 carries (2.8ypc). The Duck’s secondary also did well, picking off the Southern Utah quarterback twice. All told, the Ducks surrendered almost 400 yards of offense. They will surely be tested by a much bigger and physical offensive unit that the Cornhuskers will bring in on
Saturday.
Prediction
The Cornhuskers have to consider themselves pretty fortunate to walk away with a victory over Arkansas State last Saturday. At times, Nebraska looked lost on defense and that doesn’t bode well against an Oregon squad that looked like the Ducks of old. Nebraska can’t afford to be anywhere near as sloppy as they were in the opener here.
Apparently, Oregon’s offense looked like they have found that swag that has been missing for quite some time. Albeit, it was against a completely under-matched opponent. Even still, Nebraska’s defense wasn’t anything to brag about last week. I think the Ducks will gouge the Cornhuskers for plenty of points in this one.
Las Vegas has the Ducks as a two touchdown favorite and think that that assessment is a little high considering the success Nebraska has had over Oregon. I’ve been saying it a lot over the past articles and I’ll say it again. When in doubt, think dog.
If your a totals bettor, the 70 is considerably high but both of these teams can score on one another. I’m suggesting to error on the side of the over. Either way, this should be an exciting game to watch as the Ducks will impose their will in the fourth quarter and help push the total past 70.
Trends
The Cornhuskers are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 road games.
The Cornhuskers are 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 non-conference games.
The Over is 10-3 in the Cornhuskers last 13 non-conference games.
The Under is 10-4 in the Cornhuskers last 14 games on field-turf.
The Ducks are 3-11-1 ATS in their last 15 games overall.
The Ducks are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 non-conference games.
The Over is 47-17-1 in the Ducks last 65 home games.
The Over is 12-5 in the Ducks last 17 games overall.
