StatFox.com - Sports Handicapping Community

The Leader In Sports Handicapping

#6 Ohio State hosts #9 Nebraska Saturday
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
Published: 11/3/2016  at  2:18:00 PM
  Print This Article    

NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS (7-1)
at OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (7-1)

Ohio Stadium – Columbus, OH
Kickoff: Saturday, 8:00 p.m. ET
Line: Ohio State -17.0, Total: 51.5

#6 Ohio State will be hoping to get back into the College Football Playoff picture with a win over #9 Nebraska on Saturday.

The Cornhuskers are coming off of a tough 23-17 overtime loss to Wisconsin, but the team can still give itself a chance of playing in the playoff by beating the Buckeyes on Saturday. That is no easy task, though, and the team will need to be more effective in the passing game than it was last week. The Cornhuskers threw for just 153 yards against Wisconsin and they will need to throw for at least 200 in this one. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, need to find a way to make more out of their possessions. Ohio State has had no problem moving the football down the field this season, but the team is not scoring like it should be. The Buckeyes have scored a total of 45 points over the past two games and they are far too talented to be putting up less than 30 against opponents like Penn State and Northwestern. The last time Nebraska and Ohio State met, the Buckeyes won 63-38 as 2.5-point home favorites. The Cornhuskers, however, are 8-1 ATS in road games versus teams that complete 58% of its passes or better over the past three seasons.

Nebraska is coming off of a bad loss to Wisconsin, but the team can’t keep thinking about that one. The Cornhuskers are facing the Buckeyes this week and this will likely be their toughest game of the season. If Nebraska is going to find a way to win then QB Tommy Armstrong Jr. (1,764 yards, 11 TD, 7 INT) is going to need to be on his game for the team. He was absolutely miserable in Madison last week, going just 12-for-31 for 153 yards with no passing touchdowns and two interceptions. He rushed for 39 yards and a score in that game, but the Cornhuskers are not going to win with that type of inefficiency in the passing game. Armstrong Jr. must make better decisions on Saturday. Defensively, this is going to be a very different game for the Huskers. Wisconsin has traditional quarterbacks that don’t like to leave the pocket, but Ohio State’s Barrett is a lot like Armstrong Jr. That could help Nebraska because the defense practices against Armstrong Jr., but Barrett is a much better player and the Ohio State offense is a lot more creative with him. The Huskers will need to find a way to contain him in the pocket in this one.

Ohio State has struggled in recent weeks, but this is still one of the more talented teams in the nation and the Buckeyes definitely want to get themselves back into the College Football Playoff picture. A win over this Nebraska team would certainly help their resume, but the Buckeyes likely need to win out as well. QB J.T. Barrett (1,675 yards, 17 TD, 4 INT) is going to need to play a very good game on Saturday. He has not lived up to expectations this season, and has scored just one touchdown over the past two games. That is crazy considering his ability to run the football, and Ohio State will need to find a way to get him going on Saturday. If Barrett is struggling then RB Mike Weber (770 yards, 6 TD) will be the focal point of this offense. He played very well against Northwestern, rushing for 87 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. Look for him to get more touches in this one. Defensively, if the Buckeyes can contain Armstrong Jr. then they might just blow out this Nebraska team.


FoxSheets.com
The FoxSheets - the most advanced sports handicapping information available on the internet.
Sign up for professional sports betting information including fantastic trends, and Free FoxSheets.
E-mail: