Ohio State @ Nebraska Odds and Predictions – ABC Saturday Night College Football Picks

Week 6 Free College Football Picks and Spreads: Ohio State Buckeyes @ Nebraska Cornhuskers 2011 NCAA Football Vegas Odds, Free Picks, and Expert Predictions on ABC Saturday 10/8/11: When the 2011-12 schedules were first revealed, the meeting between Ohio State and Nebraska was thought to be a juicy matchup between two of the most storied programs in college football history. However, the seemingly endless array of off the field issues has left the Buckeyes (3-2) in shambles, while an ugly loss last weekend for the Cornhuskers (4-1) has sucked some of the life out of the team’s Big Ten home opener. At this point, Ohio State is pretty much playing for respectability, while Nebraska will likely have to run the table to win the Legends Division and reach the conference title game.  Thanks to all the suspensions for the Buckeyes, the Cornhuskers are 10 ½-point favorites in this one.

Saturday’s game was supposed to mark the return of the suspended Ohio State players. However, start wide receiver DeVier Posey and leading rusher Daniel Herron will be out at least one more game because of additional violations. Posey’s absence will be particularly big because the Ohio State receivers have had trouble stretching the field all season. Without any deep threat, the Buckeyes’ offense could continue to struggle.

The Ohio State offense was virtually non-existent during last weekend’s 10-7 loss to Michigan State. The offensive line allowed nine sacks, and the Buckeyes finished the game with less than 200 yards of total offense. Despite being exposed last weekend by Wisconsin, the Nebraska defense isn’t terrible. Not to mention the fact that the unit will have a huge chip on its shoulder and will be jumping at the opportunity to take out some frustration on the dismal OSU offense. If the production against the Hurricanes and the Spartans is any indication of what to expect from the Buckeyes Saturday night, the Cornhuskers should be just fine.

If Ohio State is going to turn things around, true freshman quarterback Braxton Miller will have to lead the charge. His experienced showed against Michigan State, but the porous offensive line and lackluster receiving targets didn’t help matters. The offensive line should improve with the return of tackle Mike Adams, but Miller will still be throwing to the same group of receivers that have done next to nothing against the Buckeyes’ tougher opponents. Miller will have to improve personally as well, utilizing his speed to make plays out of the pocket when the plays do break down.

Of course, Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez is facing some heat as well after an ugly performance against the Badgers. Life won’t necessarily get any easier against the Buckeyes either. For all their issues, the Ohio State defense has been rock solid. Look for Martinez and the Cornhuskers’ offense to go back to its option-based run attack. Nebraska was forced to abandon their ground game after falling behind early to Wisconsin, which is when things really spiraled out of control. They probably won’t find themselves in a deep hole Saturday, and Martinez and the ground game could wear down the Buckeyes over the course of four quarters.

In the end, the Buckeyes’ offense is just too much of a train wreck to compete with the Cornhuskers. Barring a barrage of Nebraska turnovers, Ohio State just hasn’t shown that it can put up points on the offensive side of the ball. If Posey and Herron were back in the mix, the outcome might be different. Instead, the pressure is once again going to fall on Miller. While the freshman may go on to have a brilliant career in Columbus, the growing pains will likely continue Saturday night on the road against a Cornhuskers’ team looking to rebound.

Prediction: Nebraska Cornhuskers (-10 ½) Cover the Spread

Free College Football Picks and NCAAF Predictions: Nebraska -10.5 to cover the spread

College Football: Ohio St @ Nebraska
Date: 10/8/11
Time: 8 PM EST on ABC
Vegas Odds Favorite: Nebraska -10.5 | Total: Over/Under 44.5

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