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The Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) and 4th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (5-1, 2-1) meet Saturday at Ohio Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET (FOX). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Nebraska vs. Ohio State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Nebraska was humming along, and the Cornhuskers looked like they might be back. Then, the Huskers were humbled 56-7 last week at Indiana, casting doubt in the minds of bettors. Is this team a contender? Or is this team a fraud?
The team’s most notable wins are against Colorado and Rutgers. After opening 3-0 against the spread (ATS), Nebraska is just 1-2-1 ATS in the past 4 outings. The Under has hit in 5 of 7 games.
For Ohio State, it is coming off a bye week after its 32-31 loss at Oregon. It was a 3.5-point favorite for that game, but it allowed 155 rushing yards and 341 passing yards, while posting a minus-1 turnover differential. That was the difference.
The Buckeyes are 4-0 straight up (SU) at home this season, while going 2-2 ATS. It covered its only previous conference home game against Iowa, winning 35-7 as a 17-point favorite Oct. 5 as the Under (46) cashed.
– US LBM Coaches Poll: Conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
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Nebraska at Ohio State odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated Friday at 6:15 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nebraska +1500 (bet $100 to win $1,500) | Ohio State -5000 (bet $5,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Nebraska +25.5 (-110) | Ohio State -25.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 48.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Nebraska at Ohio State picks and predictions
Prediction
Ohio State 38, Nebraska 17
Moneyline
If you learned anything from the Liberty-Kennesaw State game earlier this week, it is that heavy underdogs are not always a given. Yes, Ohio State (-5000) should win this game, and win rather handily. But, are you willing to risk $100 for every $2 profit.
The Buckeyes have won 7 in a row in this series dating back to Oct. 8, 2011, Nebraska’s only win in the series. That was a 34-27 victory in Lincoln, a game which Ohio State was a 10-point underdog. The Buckeyes have won all 6 previous meetings in C-Bus, with the closest contest being a 36-31 win Nov. 3, 2018.
AVOID.
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Against the spread
Back NEBRASKA +25.5 (-110), although that takes a bit of a leap of faith after it was pounded last week by the Hoosiers.
However, while Ohio State -25.5 (-110) is well-rested, and highly motivated, after its loss at Oregon 2 weeks ago, this is an awfully big number.
The Cornhuskers committed 5 turnovers with a minus-4 differential last week at ‘The Rock.’ It’s highly unlikely it has that many miscues this week.
Over/Under
OVER 48.5 (-110) is the play in this Big Ten battle.
Nebraska’s defense had been humming along until last week, harkening back to the days of the Blackshirts defense. But, now there is some doubt. And, against ranked teams this season, or at least teams currently ranked, the Cornhuskers are allowing an average of 43.5 points over a 2-game sample.
Ohio State has cashed the Over in 4 of 6 games this season, and it has scored 31 or more points in all 6 outings. It has the potential to take care of the Over on its own.
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