After an early-season loss, things are falling into place for the No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes (7-1), who now control their own destiny to the Big Ten title and a possible playoff spot. This weekend the Buckeyes travel to face the 3-6 Nebraska Cornhuskers, who are still looking for a landmark win under Scott Frost. Saturday’s kickoff from Memorial Stadium in Lincoln is set for Noon ET, and the game will be televised by FOX.
These teams have met nine times in their history, seven since Nebraska joined the Big Ten a decade ago. Ohio State leads the series 8-1 with six straight wins, and they are 2-1 in Lincoln. Nebraska’s lone win against OSU came in 2011, and the Buckeyes won last year 52-17.
Stroud Making Heisman Case
The Buckeyes offense isn’t always a fast starter, but they rank second in the nation in total offense. The passing game, led by Heisman contender C.J. Stroud accounts for 346 yards per game while the ground game averages 201 per game. The defense has allowed less than 24 points in six straight games.
In his first season as a starter, Stroud has had more ups than downs, passing for 2,270 yards in eight starts. He has 23 touchdowns to just three interceptions and has only been sacked five times. He isn’t the runner that Justin Fields was the past two seasons with just 18 yards on 17 attempts and no touchdowns.
With Master Teague limited with injuries, freshman Treveyon Henderson has taken over the Buckeyes run game. He dominated Penn State with 152 yards on 28 carries and also went over the 100-yard mark against Maryland and Tulsa. Overall he has 845 yards at 7/9 per carry and has scored 12 touchdowns.
Stroud’s top target is Garrett Wilson, who has 45 catches for 667 yards and six touchdowns. Jaxon Smith-Nigba has 35 catches for 648 yards and three touchdowns, while Chris Olave leads the team with nine touchdowns. The senior has 35 catches for 562 yards, while Henderson also has three scores in the passing game.
Nebraska Must Limit Turnovers
Nebraska doesn’t yet have their big win for the fanbase to hang their hat on, but they have played close games against Oklahoma, Michigan State, and Michigan. This season they are 0-6 in games decided by one possession, and their lone Big Ten win was a 56-7 thumping of Northwestern.
The big problem for Nebraskas has been turnovers with four more last week in the loss to Purdue. They also had two turnovers each against Michigan and Michigan State and lost both games by a field goal. They are -3 in the turnover battle on the season, facing a Buckeyes team that is +8.
Quarterback Adrian Martinez is the biggest culprit with seven interceptions, including four against Purdue last Saturday. Martinez has 2,264 yards passing with 12 touchdowns, and he’s been sacked 22 times. He is the Cornhusker’ss top runner with 451 yards and 11 touchdowns, and three lost fumbles.
The top running back is Rahmir Johnson, with 433 yards and four touchdowns. Samori Torre is the top wideout with 29 catches for 568 yards and three touchdowns, while tight end Austin Allen has 27 catches for 371 yards and two scores.
Betting Analysis
- Ohio State Buckeyes -14.5 (-120) Money Line -650
- Nebraska Cornhuskers +14.5 (+100) Money line +460
- Total Points: 66. Over -115, Under -105
The Cornhuskers cannot afford to give Ohio State extra possessions or short fields if they want to pull off the biggest upset of the Scott Frost era. This Buckeyes team has scored 54, 52, and 45 in their three road games this season, all Big Ten wins. Nebraska must find a way to slow down the game and keep the ball out of Stroud’s hands, but that is easier said than done.
Betting Pick: Over 66 points (-115)
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