Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. UCLA Bruins
Betting Odds
Opening Line: Nebraska -5.5
Over/Under: 61
Time: 7:30 PM EST Saturday September 8, 2012 on FOX
The Huskers head to sunny Southern California to take on the UCLA Bruins in a non-conference match where Nebraska is favored by 5 points. Both teams won their season openers and each of these team’s offenses looked very impressive each scoring 49 points. The Bruins have had their struggles in the last few seasons and they can get back on the national map with a home win over a ranked Nebraska squad.
In their opening games Nebraska beat Southern Mississippi 49-20 and UCLA beat Rice 49-24.
Both team not only won their opening games, but each also covered the spread.
Last season UCLA was 1-3 facing ranked teams.
Nebraska QB Tino Martinez had a huge first game of the season passing for 354 yards with 5 TD. He has a solid WR corps and the Bruins also have to be careful, as he can run the ball. He will be facing a Bruins’ pass defense that was decent last week giving up 184 yards in the air. The UCLA pass rush has to get to Martinez or he may have another big game.
Martinez and backup RB Ameer Abdullah may have to man the rushing attack since Heisman candidate RB Rex Burkhead is doubtful for this game due to a knee injury. The UCLA run defense struggled against Rice giving up 174 rushing yards.
To say the UCLA offense played well against Rice is a major understatement, as they ranked up 646 total yards.
Freshman QB Brett Hundley passed his first test in his first start for UCLA passing for 202 yards with 2 TD and 1 INT. The Huskers shut down the Southern Mississippi passing offense only giving up 75 yards in the air.
The big concern for the Nebraska defense has to be UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin, who rushed for 214 yards and 3 TD in the win over Rice. He is a solid back and had 2 long runs of over 70 yards. While Nebraska played well against the pass in their opening game they did give up 185 rushing yards. Franklin may be the key in this game, as if he can move the chains it will help keep Martinez and company on the sidelines.
UCLA had 8 penalties for 107 yards against Rice and they cannot give free yardage to Nebraska in this game.
Betting Trends
Nebraska is 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 road games, 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games following a S.U. win, and they have an Under record of 6-2 in their last 8 road games.
UCLA is 7-16 ATS in their last 23 games, 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games following a S.U. win, and they have an Under record of 7-3 in their last 10 games.
ATS Game Pick
Yeah sure the Cornhuskers offense looked great against a porous Golden Eagle defense in Week 1. Don't look for Nebraska to put up 49 this week against the Bruins. Take the Bruins +5.5 and maybe look to play this late in the week and get 6 or more.
