Ohio State Buckeyes at No. 14 Nebraska Cornhuskers
Saturday, 10/8/11, 8:00 PM EST, TV: ABC
Opening Point Spread: Nebraska -10
Current Betting Line: Nebraska -11
Opening Total: 46
Current Total: 43.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Ohio State is coming off a 10-7 loss to the Michigan State Spartans as three-point home favorites and will be looking to avoid a third loss to the season. The Buckeyes are 61-32-5 in conference road openers since joining the Big Ten and have won both previous meetings with the Cornhuskers. The team relies heavily on a defense that ranks third in the conference in rushing defense and fourth in total defense. Many around the program were hoping to have running back Dan Herron and receiver DeVier Posey return to action this week, but their five-game suspensions during the offseason were extended by at least a game. Ohio State is 22-8 ATS the past two-plus seasons.
The Buckeyes dropped their Big Ten opener for the first time in eight years last week, while also losing to the Spartans at home for the first time since 1999. Ohio State has tallied a 360-127-28 record in October in its history, including a 114-63-8 mark on the road. Offensively, the team has been efficient in the red zone, scoring 14 of 17 times, but also mustered up just 178 total yards last week. The last time the team lost two games this early in the season was in 2005.
Nebraska is coming off a 48-17 loss against the Wisconsin Badgers as 9.5-point road underdogs and returns home after splitting its two road games. The Cornhuskers captured a 38-14 win over Wyoming the previous week as 20.5-point favorites. All eyes are squarely on Taylor Martinez, who threw three interceptions last week and has completed just 50.5 percent of his passes. “Let’s face it, the quarterback position is always going to be under the microscope,” commented Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini. “Trust me, I’m glad he’s our quarterback.” Nebraska is 3-7 ATS as a favorite of 10.5 to 21 points the last two-plus seasons.
The Cornhuskers will be playing their Homecoming this week, posting an all-time record of 74-22-4, including a 67-16-3 mark against conference opponents. It’s also significant to note that Pelini is coaching against his alma mater, as he was a graduate of Ohio State and a four-year letterwinner as a defensive back from 1987 to 1990. Nebraska still possesses a strong running game, as running back Rex Burkhead and Martinez have rushed 83 times for 482 yards and eight touchdowns. Both managed to rush for over 900 yards a season ago.
Bettors will likely back the Buckeyes due to their 21-4-1 ATS mark versus a team with a winning home record, while the Cornhuskers are 1-10-1 ATS as a home favorite of 10.5 or more points.
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