Nebraska at Oklahoma State
Written by Jack Jones - Google +
After a devastating loss to the Texas Longhorns over the weekend, the No. 14 Nebraska Cornhuskers look to rebound against No. 17 Oklahoma State in a crucial Big 12 showdown Saturday. The Cornhuskers (5-1, 1-1) took a serious blow to their national title hopes with the loss, while the Cowboys (6-0, 2-0) are coming off a huge win at Texas Tech 34-17 and are clearly the surprise of the conference. The odds show us a line of Nebraska -5.5 over Oklahoma State with a total set of 60 points. So odds makers haven’t quite bought into the Cowboys just yet, and they believe that the Huskers will bounce back.
Nebraska was off to a 5-0 start while outscoring opponents by 28.8 points per game and behind ranked as high as No. 5 in the AP poll. But their 13-20 home loss to Texas in a rematch of the 2009 Big 12 Championship game last Saturday had the Huskers dropping nine spots in the polls. Nebraska was held to just 202 total yards after averaging 494.4 coming in. Taylor Martinez was even benched after rushing for just 21 yards on 13 carries and not being able to get their offense going.
Martinez will return at quarterback against Oklahoma State as the Huskers look to continue their road success. Nebraska is 6-0 in their last six road games, outscoring foes 210-93 in the process. The Huskers have struggled within the conference, though, going 2-3 in their last five Big 12 games while committing 13 turnovers. Martinez is fifth in the country at 147.4 rushing yards per game, and he’s already scored seven touchdowns in two road games this year.
Oklahoma State’s 6-0 start is nice in Cowboy country, but they have yet to face a Top 25 team. The Cowboys are 5-20 in their last 25 such games, and this will easily be their biggest test of the season. OSU will be leaning on an offense that ranks second in the nation in points per game (49.5) and yards per game (535.3), trailing only No. 1 Oregon in both categories. Former minor league pitcher Brandon Weeden has been a great story, throwing for 1,966 yards and 19 touchdowns. WR Justin Blackmon leads the nation in receptions (57), receiving yards (955) and touchdown receptions (12). He is a clear-cut Heisman Trophy candidate at this point in the season.
The Cowboys will certainly be tested as they go up against a Huskers stop unit that ranks ninth in total defense (274.3) and points allowed (14.0) per game. Oklahoma State’s biggest weakness comes from an inexperienced defense. The Cowboys are surrendering 27.2 points and 404.5 total yards per contest this year. Plus, they have yet to face a rushing attack like they one they’re up against Saturday. Nebraska has owned this series, holding a 36-5-1 edge over Oklahoma State all-time. The Cowboys have had success lately against the Huskers, winning their two most recent meetings in 2006 and 2007.
BetUS Projected Score: Nebraska 33 – Oklahoma State 27
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