NU opens as +21.5 underdog:
Slightly larger line than last year (but 1/2 the margin of the game result) after OSU loses two top-3 NFL draft picks. Obviously plenty of talent behind that on their roster, but you'd expect their defense's dominance to take a step back after losing 2 1st-round NFL CBs & an all-world DE, among others (6 of their 7 all-B1G defensive players are gone). Nebraska likewise losing some key defensive talent, but not many contributors on offense (Spielman being the notable exception).
Hopefully our offense is ready to go from the opening kickoff, as a shootout seems like the likely game flow, with some opportunistic defensive plays being the way to potentially pull the upset. Culturally, it seems like we're in a significantly better place, but too many unknowns for me to touch the betting angle of this with a 10 foot pole. Hoping for a spirited performance that gives me reasons to drink the kool aid, even if we come up short against an expected national title contender.
Slightly larger line than last year (but 1/2 the margin of the game result) after OSU loses two top-3 NFL draft picks. Obviously plenty of talent behind that on their roster, but you'd expect their defense's dominance to take a step back after losing 2 1st-round NFL CBs & an all-world DE, among others (6 of their 7 all-B1G defensive players are gone). Nebraska likewise losing some key defensive talent, but not many contributors on offense (Spielman being the notable exception).
Hopefully our offense is ready to go from the opening kickoff, as a shootout seems like the likely game flow, with some opportunistic defensive plays being the way to potentially pull the upset. Culturally, it seems like we're in a significantly better place, but too many unknowns for me to touch the betting angle of this with a 10 foot pole. Hoping for a spirited performance that gives me reasons to drink the kool aid, even if we come up short against an expected national title contender.