NIU at Nebraska Expert College Football Picks 9/14/2019

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Memorial Stadium

Memorial Stadium is the site where Adrian Martinez and the Nebraska Cornhuskers will play the NIU Huskies on Saturday. NIU opens this contest as 15-point underdogs. The over/under has been set at 53.5. The Huskies are 2-0-0 ATS and 1-1-0 when betting on the total. The Cornhuskers are 1-1-0 when wagering on the over/under and 0-2-0 against the spread.

Key NIU Huskies Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Nebraska Cornhuskers Injuries

09/08/19 WR Kade Warner Hand is questionable Saturday vs No Illinois
08/28/19 WR Andre Hunt Suspension is out indefinitely
08/28/19 TE Katerian Legrone Suspension is out indefinitely

The last time they took the field, the NIU Huskies played the Utah Utes and took the loss by a score of 35-17. Taking the lead at quarterback for the Huskies was Ross Bowers who went 20/29 with 229 yards through the air and completed 1 TD. He walked away with 1 interception during the game. Jordan Nettles led the team in rushing for the game. He had a long run of 14 yards but he wasn't able to run one in for a touchdown. He ran for a total of 37 yards on 10 carries which had him averaging 3.7 yards per run. Spencer Tears was the leader in receiving yardage with a total of 112 yards on 5 receptions. He had an average of 22.4 yards per reception for the game. The NIU Huskies ran the ball a total of 25 times and racked up 67 yards which earned them an average of 2.7 yards per rushing attempt. Overall, they ran 56 plays for a total of 302 yards. For the game, the Huskies racked up a total of 14 1st downs and they had a total of 6 penalties for 50 yards which tells us their heads weren't always in the game. When discussing the defense, Northern Illinois gave up 14 catches on 19 attempts for a total of 214 yards, and a completion percentage of 73.7%. In the running game, the Huskies gave up 193 yards on 37 runs giving the other team an average of 5.2 yards per attempt allowed. Overall, they gave up 407 yards and earned 0 takeaways.

The Huskies head into this matchup 1-1 for this season. In terms of scoring, they are one of the worst in the country averaging 20.5 points per contest, which has them at 100th in college football. As a unit, they are averaging 78.5 yards on the ground per game which is 9th in the conference. For total yardage, they are currently ranked 5th in the Mid-American Conference and 88th in college football with 691 yards. The Huskies have one of the average defenses in college football, allowing 22.5 points per contest putting them 2nd in the conference. In regard to rushing yards, NIU is giving up 122 yards per contest which has them at 4th in the MAC and 55th in the nation. Opposing teams are running for an average of 3.8 yards per carry ranking them 7th in the conference and 67th in college football overall. Overall, they have allowed 244 yards rushing through 2 contests. When it comes to yards through the air, the Huskies have conceded 534 yards. Teams are completing 54.9% of the passes they throw against them and averaging 7.9 yards per try.

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In their last game, the Nebraska Cornhuskers played the Colorado Buffaloes and were on the losing end of this game by a score of 34-31. Maurice Washington paced the team on the ground for that game. He tore off a long run of 40 yards but he wasn't able to rush for a TD on the day. He ran for 77 yards via 15 carries which meant he was running for 5.1 yards per run. Maurice Washington was the leader in receiving yardage by earning 118 yards on 4 catches. He earned an average of 29.5 yards per catch for that game. Leading the way at QB for the Cornhuskers was Adrian Martinez who went 16/26 with 290 yards passing and threw 2 touchdowns. He threw 1 pick on the day. The Nebraska Cornhuskers ran the ball a total of 46 times and racked up 179 yards which earned them an average of 3.9 yards per run. In the game, they ran 72 plays which gave them a total of 469 yards. On the day, the Cornhuskers earned 19 first downs and they totaled 7 infractions for 65 yards which tells us their heads weren't always in the game. On the defensive side of the ball, Nebraska allowed 28 completions on 41 tries for a total of 375 yards, and a completion percentage of 68.3%. For the game, they conceded a total of 464 yards and earned 2 takeaways. On the ground, the Cornhuskers allowed 89 yards on 37 carries which gave the opponent an average of 2.4 yards per rushing attempt allowed.

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The Cornhuskers come into this game with a record of 1-1. In terms of offensive proficiency, the Cornhuskers have one of the best offenses in college football. Nebraska is having a year to forget in the ground game by averaging 138.5 yards on the ground per game, putting them 86th in D-1. As a unit, they have compiled a total of 277 rushing yards through 2 contests, so they'll need to look to improve on these numbers if they want to compete with the better teams in the nation. The Cornhuskers average 372.5 yards per game overall ranking them 88th in college football and 11th in the Big Ten. The Cornhuskers are giving up 27.5 points per game which puts them at 12th in the conference and 83rd in the nation. Their passing defense is one of the worst groups in the nation. They are allowing 303 passing yards per game. For yards through the air allowed per game, the Cornhuskers are ranked 13th in the Big Ten. In regard to points given up, they have allowed 55 total points. When talking about yards rushing, they are conceding 86 yards per contest ranking them 27th in the nation and 8th in the Big Ten Conference. This year, they have allowed a total of 172 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns.

Who will win tonight's Huskies/Cornhuskers NCAA football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Cornhuskers -15

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