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Nebraska vs Ohio State preview, prediction, betting odds

By Ronnie Hampston

Sep 17, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer speaks with his team during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer speaks with his team during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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For the first time in four years, the Ohio State Buckeyes and Nebraska Cornhuskers will square off in a night showdown in Ohio Stadium.

On Saturday night, over 105,000 screaming fans will fill up Ohio Stadium to watch No.6 Ohio State take on No.9 Nebraska Cornhuskers. Both teams are entering the game with hopes of making the College Football Playoffs. With identical records of 7-1, a win could improve those chances.

Nebraska will have a tough task on Saturday night. Mentally, it will be a challenge to bounce back from a disheartening loss to Wisconsin on the road. It doesn’t get any tougher than back-to-back games at Camp Randall and Ohio Stadium. Although Nebraska lost last week, they’ve maintained their spot in the AP top 10. A win would allow them to climb the polls, but that’s easier said than done.

Ohio State is led by one-time Heisman candidate J.T. Barrett. For the past three weeks, Barrett hasn’t looked like the quarterback that toyed with Big Ten defenses in the past. This week, he and the Buckeyes offense looks to get back on track.

If that’s the case, things could get ugly for Nebraska, but their stingy defense could have other plans.

Betting Odds

The Buckeyes come into the game as a 15.5 point favorite against the Cornhuskers according to Oddsshark.com. The over/under is 52.5 points, which seems about right for this match-up. Nebraska will look to avenge last week’s offensive output by trying to light up the scoreboard. Ohio State hasn’t scored over 30 points since an early October Big Ten clash against Indiana. The Buckeyes are due for a big scoring output, but the same can’t be said for Nebraska. The money should be put on the teams going over the projected score.

Prediction

The eerie month of October will be over, meaning the Buckeyes will have a fresh start as November begins. Both teams are in dire need of a win, but there will be too much of Mike Weber Jr., Curtis Samuel and J.T. Barrett.

It’s not a guarantee to count out the Cornhuskers, but it all hinges on what version of Tommy Armstrong shows up. Nebraska will fight to the wire, but the lack of firepower they have will be evident come Saturday night in Columbus.

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Mike Riley will be in search of yet another signature win during his tenure at Nebraska, but it may have to come at another time.

Pick: Ohio State 41 Nebraska 21

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