Nebraska at Kansas State

Written by Steve Janus

This Thursday the No.6 ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers will go on the road to take on the Kansas State Wildcats in a Big 12 North showdown. The Cornhuskers have dominated the series, as the Wildcats have won just five times since 1969. Both teams were off this past weekend, giving them plenty of time to rest and prepare for this game. The oddsmakers are calling for a Nebraska blowout, as the current college football odds have the Cornhuskers favored by 12-points over the Wildcats on the road.

Nebraska (4-0, 0-0 Big 12): The Cornhuskers rolled through their non-conference portion of the schedule, as they didn’t have a single game decided by less than 14 points. The Cornhuskers however did struggle in their last game, as they only beat South Dakota State by 14 at home. Quarterback Taylor Martinez turned it over three times, and the offense managed to convert just 4 of 13 third down attempts. I wouldn’t look too heavily into the game, as Nebraska likely was looking past South Dakota after their impressive win at Washington the previous week.

Martinez not only struggled throwing the football, but also finished with just 75 yards rushing, his lowest rushing total of the season was 127 against Western Kentucky in the season opener. Look for a big bounce back from Martinez and the rest of the Cornhusker offense Thursday night. Even if the offense struggles the Cornhuskers defense is so good it likely won’t even matter. After four games they are allowing just under 13 points a game, and last year they held the Wildcats to just three points.

Kansas State (4-0, 1-0 Big 12): I have been pretty impressed with the way the Wildcats have started the 2010 season, but all four games have been at home. They beat a UCLA team that was really struggling in the season opener, but other than that they really haven’t played anybody. Kansas State’s offense relies heavily on the play of running back Daniel Thomas, who already has 628 yards and six touchdowns. After four games the Wildcats are averaging 216 yards a game on the ground, but they have yet to face a defense like Nebraska, who after four games is allowing just 138 yards a game on the ground.

The Wildcats also came away with a tough win in their last game, as they needed a last-minute touchdown to beat UCF at home 17-13. Thomas had just 76 yards rushing on 22 carries, and the Kansas State offense managed just 272 yards of total offense in the game. The Wildcats defense has looked good to start the season, but the question is can they stop Martinez from not only beating them with his arm, but slow him down in the running game?

Looking at the Odds: I really like the Cornhuskers to cover the 12-point spread on the road this Thursday, as they are simply the more dominant football team, and have really played well against Kansas State over the years. I believe points will be very hard to come by for the Wildcats offense, and I think the Cornhuskers do just enough to cover and take home the win. My final score prediction is Nebraska 24, Kansas State 10.

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