Texas Longhorns at Nebraska Cornhusker Betting Preview

Opening Line: Longhorns -13.5 / Cornhuskers +13.5
8 PM EST Saturday December 5, 2009 on ABC

by Marasoft.com Staff

This Saturday night in the Big 12 Championship game the 3rd ranked Texas Longhorns face the 22nd ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers. This is it for Texas, as if they can win this game they will be playing in the BCS title game. #4 TCU and #5 Cincinnati will be rooting for the Huskers in this game, as the only chance that either team has to play in the BCS title game is if Nebraska wins this game. It did not look as if the Huskers had any chance to play in a BCS game after they were 4-3, but they ended the season on fire winning their last 5 games. The Huskers' defense has been great in their 5-game winning streak, as they have only given up an average of 10 points per game. They have to win this game with defense since their offense is not a high scoring one. Texas QB Colt McCoy is the winningest QB in Longhorns history and the Heisman hopeful can go out with a bang getting Texas to the BCS championship game if he can win this game.

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USING YOUR CREDIT CARD

The Huskers are led by QB Zac Lee (1,931 yds 13 TD 7 INT) and his main targets are Niles Paul (35 rec 669 yds 3 TD) and Mike McNeill (25 rec 240 yds 4 TD). The Huskers' rushing attack is led by RB Roy Helu Jr. (1111 yds 9 TD). The Longhorns are led by QB Colt McCoy 3,328 yds 27 TD 9 INT) and his main targets are Jordan Shipley (99 rec 1,292 yds 11 TD) and James Kirkendoll (48 rec 461 yds 6 TD). The Longhorns' rushing attack is led by RB Tre' Newton (477 yds 6 TD).

The Texas offense ranks 11th in the nation and they are the 3rd highest scoring offense in the nation. Colt McCoy puts up huge numbers and he has legit targets, especially Shipley, who is averaging over 13 yards per reception. The Huskers' defense ranks 11th in the nation and they have to keep McCoy from having a huge game through the air. Nebraska has 33 sacks this season and they have to pressure McCoy and not give him time to find his targets. That will not be easy since the Texas offensive line is big and they only allowed 21 sacks this season. If they can protect McCoy they will be in great shape.

The Huskers only rank 92nd on offense and if they can't run the ball in this game they will be in trouble. To win this game Helu Jr. has to have a good game on the ground. Texas has the nation's 5th ranked defense and they have the top-ranked rushing defense only allowing an average of 61.75 rushing yards per game. They also rank 3rd in the nation in sacks (38), so the offensive line of the Huskers has to really have a good game in opening up holes for the rushing offense and protecting QB Zac Lee.

This season the Longhorns are only 5-6-1 ATS, but are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games. The Huskers are 7-5 ATS and are only 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games.

The Marasoft Pick: Nebraska +14.5