The Nebraska Cornhuskers open the season Saturday against the Northwestern Wildcats at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Nebraska vs. Northwestern odds, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Cornhuskers and Wildcats were each 3-9 SU last season, but it was a tale of 2 seasons. Despite a putrid record, Nebraska was actually pretty competitive with all 9 losses by single digits, including 8 one-score games.
Nebraska looks to QB Casey Thompson, a transfer from Texas, to turn things around in Lincoln.
The Wildcats lost their final 6 games, too, but Northwestern was drummed by 26 or more points in 5 of those outings. It also suffered a 56-7 blasting at the hands of Big Red in Lincoln on Oct. 2.
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Nebraska vs. Northwestern odds
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 8:28 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Nebraska -550 (bet $550 to win $100) | Northwestern +400 (bet $100 to win $400)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nebraska -13 (-108) | Northwestern +13 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 50.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Nebraska vs. Northwestern picks and predictions
Prediction
Nebraska 29, Northwestern 13
Money line
Nebraska (-550) will set you back quite a few pints of Guinness, or 5 1/2 times your potential return. That’s too much risk for not much gold at the end of your betting rainbow.
While Northwestern (+400) would have to find several 4-leaf clovers on the grass at Aviva Stadium for some luck to pull off the miracle win, it’s best to PASS on the Huskers at this expensive price point.
Against the spread
Back NEBRASKA -13 (-108) laying the points against the beleaguered Northwestern +13 (-112) side.
The Huskers have a Power 5 quarterback under center, while the Wildcats have a lot of holes to fill. Look for the Huskers to get off to a good start, and watch for an early connection from Thompson and WR Omar Manning to set the tone early.
Over/Under
The UNDER 50.5 (-110) is worth playing. Both of these teams might have some jet lag with the long trip overseas.
The last time we saw a game played on Irish shores in 2016 at Aviva, Georgia Tech edged Boston College in a game which saw the Under easily cash.
With Northwestern’s lackluster offense, look for another Under to cash here.
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