Kansas at Nebraska Football Betting Odds

Written November 6, 2008 by Jack Jones

The 6-3 Kansas Jayhawks are trying to stay in contention for the Big 12 North Division title when they head to Lincoln to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Last week Kansas put a beating down on their in-state rivals at Kansas State, 52-21 to put a stop to the Jayhawks’ two game losing streak. Both Kansas and Missouri are at 3-2 in conference play, which could set up a showdown at the end of the year for the North champion. Nebraska on the other hand is coming off an ugly performance in which the Sooners beat up on the Huskers by a final score of 62-28. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak and put Nebraska at 5-4 overall and 2-3 in Big 12 play. It’s been 40 years since the Jayhawks have came into Lincoln and left winners, but it seems like all of those streaks have been coming to an end for Big Red lately. Nebraska is currently listed as a 1.5-point favorite with the total set at 68.5.

The Kansas offense has done a good job this year with a balanced attack. The Jayhawks are moving the ball 146.6 ypg on the ground and 299 ypg via the pass for 34.4 ppg. The scoring has been pretty evenly divided with 19 rushing touchdowns to 20 passing touchdowns. Jake Sharp is doing a great job running the ball and is coming off a 181 yard, four score, 21 carry performance last week. He has 647 yards and nine touchdowns on the year. Quarterback Todd Reesing leads the aerial attack with 293.1 ypg, 68.4% completion rate, 20 touchdowns, but nine interceptions. Reesing’s two top pass catchers are Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe, both of which have combined for 120 receptions, 1,542 yards and 14 scores.

Kansas would probably have a better record this year if their defense could step up on a weekly basis. The Jayhawks are giving up 26.3 ypg and 381.3 total ypg. The run defense hasn’t been too bad in giving up 110.8 ypg, but the pass defense has been torched for 270.6 ypg. If you want to bet on Kansas you can get them at 1.5 at Bookmaker.

The Cornhuskers have done a surprisingly well job of moving the ball this season, gaining 443 total ypg. The ground game leads the way with 155.2 ypg, but turnovers have been a problem as the team has 18 giveaways. Quarterback Joe Ganz has thrown eight interceptions, but he hasn’t done a bad job in completing 69% of his passes for 278.8 ypg and 19 touchdowns. He isn’t all that nimble, but he does have three rushing touchdowns and 161 rushing yards as well. His two top targets are Nate Swift and Todd Peterson, who have 92 catches for 1,217 yards, and nine touchdowns. Tailback Marlon Lucky has ran for 463 yards and seven touchdowns, but Roy Helu Jr has also looked solid with 451 yards on 44 less totes.

The Husker blackshirts just haven’t gotten the job done this year, giving up 28.4 ppg and 375.3 ypg. Against the run the team has giving up 143.3 ypg while the pass defense has been lit up for 231.9 ypg while the unit has only generated nine total turnovers. You can bet Nebraska -1 at Sportsbook.com and get a 100% bonus on your first winning wager.

Free football picks on the total score: Nebraska 35, Kansas 32

Get more college football picks from our handicappers this week in order to win more with your football betting.