BYU Cougars at Nebraska Cornhuskers Free Pick and Point Spread. The BYU Cougars will attempt to score a victory against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. 5Dimes is giving a -7 point start to the Cornhuskers with total odds of -105. 64½ lines are offered on the odds board. Kick off is scheduled to occur at 15:30 ET on Saturday, 5th September.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: BYU +7/Nebraska -7
Total Line: 64.5
The Cougars’ offence could be somewhat in jeopardy this season as running back Jamaal Williams announced that he has withdrawn from school and will sit out this year. This is a blow for the BYU team as the hopes were for a strong offensive with leading quarterback, Taysom Hill set to return from a leg injury. Williams has rushed for 2626 yards and 23 touchdowns over the course of three seasons as BYU, while catching 53 passes for 487 yards. While he is expected to return in 2016, Williams’ absence will surely put a dent in the Cougars’ plans for the 2015 season.
Last season saw a total of 289 passes completed out of a total of 483 attempted, according to official stats. Christian Stewart, who will also not be returning this season, attempted 348 of these and completed 199. However, a total of 567 carries for 2363 yards were recorded, and 28 rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, BYU achieved 32 receiving touchdowns, with a total of 3623 yards claimed.
Nebraska’s Cornhuskers are starting the 2015 season under new head coach, Mike Riley. Before starting out at Nebraska, Riley spent his previous 12 years as head coach at Oregon State, so it’s safe to say that there won’t be a lack of experience being brought to the team. A total of 16 starters will return from a team that finished 9-4 in 2014, with Nebraska looking to win its opening season game for the 30th consecutive time. However, the Cornhuskers’ offence has lost running back Ameer Abdullah and receiver Kenny Bell, thanks to graduation, both of whom proved to be premium players in 2014.
Abdullah carried 264 for 1611 yards last season, adding to the team’s overall total of 587 for 3123 yards. Rushing touchdowns were recorded at 35, while a total of 53.3% of passes were completed. A total of 190 receptions are recorded in 2014’s stats, with a total of 2757 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns.
BYU at Nebraska Betting Trends
BYU is 3-8 against the spread in their last 11 games overall.
The game total has gone over in 8 of BYU’s last 10 games overall.
Nebraska is 2-3-1 against the spread in their last 6 games overall.
The Cornhuskers are 10-4 straight up in their last 14 games.
The Cougars are 4-1 straight up in their last 5 games.
Injury Report
No Injuries to Report for Game 1 of the Season
Consensus Pick ATS
BYU: 30%
Nebraska: 70%
Free College Football Pick
BYU returns eight starters on offense and five on defense. The Cougars was stout on the run defense last season holding their opponents to just 3.3 yards on the ground last season and they shouldn’t miss a beat this season with four starters on the front seven returning and emerging LB Fred Warner taking over the starting SLB spot. Nebraska returns six starters on offense with the QB, two receivers, tight end and both tackles on the offensive line returning. They lose their star running back and have inexperience in the middle with new starters at both guard positions and center. The offense also has to learn a new system with Mike Riley at the helm and that may take time. We believe that the Cornhuskers will probably find a way to win this game, but we feel the seven point handicap from the linesmaker will be too much to overcome.
Take the BYU Cougars +7 @ BETONLINE.AG (WIN)
