It's the Blackout in Lincoln: a 7 PM kickoff under overcast skies, both teams fresh off a bye, and Washington still won't say who's playing quarterback. Nebraska is the better team. Laying 7.5 is a different question. Nebraska's offense stalls against real defenses. The last two games produced 17 points against Indiana and 14 at Oregon, and Oregon was starting backup Brock Thomas (9-of-20, 54 yards). The Huskers led both in the fourth quarter, lost both by 3, and were outscored 25-7 in those fourth quarters. Their blowout Big Ten wins came against Michigan State and Maryland, both now 2-6. The roster is thinner now. Starting lineman Gunnar Gottula is out with a concussion, and Paul Mubenga hasn't started since Oct 3. DL Anthony Jones Jr. and S Jamir Conn are out, the running back room is battered, and Jacory Barney Jr. and Brendan Black are playing hurt. Kicking matters near this number. In the box scores we have, Kyle Cunanan is 4-of-7 on field goals and Washington's Tyler Robles is 5-of-5. Washington can hit big plays. They had ten of 20-plus yards at Purdue, and Nebraska's secondary gave Indiana 263 passing yards on 22 attempts. The Huskies also hang with good teams: they lost by 3 to Minnesota and by 4 at USC. The risk is real. Washington's line gave up 7 sacks to Minnesota, 6 to Iowa and 5 to USC, and center Landen Hatchett is out for the season. Nebraska's defense has held opponents to 9-of-61 on third down. Elijah Brown threw 3 picks at Purdue, and Nebraska won't forgive that. I'd rather see Brown start. The scary version is Demond Williams Jr. behind this line with a healing rib. Most of the value is the half-point over a touchdown. I'll take Washington.
It's the Blackout in Lincoln: a 7 PM kickoff under overcast skies, both teams fresh off a bye, and Washington still won't say who's playing quarterback. Nebraska is the better team. Laying 7.5 is a different question.
Nebraska's offense stalls against real defenses. The last two games produced 17 points against Indiana and 14 at Oregon, and Oregon was starting backup Brock Thomas (9-of-20, 54 yards). The Huskers led both in the fourth quarter, lost both by 3, and were outscored 25-7 in those fourth quarters. Their blowout Big Ten wins came against Michigan State and Maryland, both now 2-6.
The roster is thinner now. Starting lineman Gunnar Gottula is out with a concussion, and Paul Mubenga hasn't started since Oct 3. DL Anthony Jones Jr. and S Jamir Conn are out, the running back room is battered, and Jacory Barney Jr. and Brendan Black are playing hurt. Kicking matters near this number. In the box scores we have, Kyle Cunanan is 4-of-7 on field goals and Washington's Tyler Robles is 5-of-5.
Washington can hit big plays. They had ten of 20-plus yards at Purdue, and Nebraska's secondary gave Indiana 263 passing yards on 22 attempts. The Huskies also hang with good teams: they lost by 3 to Minnesota and by 4 at USC.
The risk is real. Washington's line gave up 7 sacks to Minnesota, 6 to Iowa and 5 to USC, and center Landen Hatchett is out for the season. Nebraska's defense has held opponents to 9-of-61 on third down. Elijah Brown threw 3 picks at Purdue, and Nebraska won't forgive that.
I'd rather see Brown start. The scary version is Demond Williams Jr. behind this line with a healing rib. Most of the value is the half-point over a touchdown. I'll take Washington.
Washington +7.5