The Purdue Boilermakers (-3) and Nebraska Cornhuskers are ready to collide on the turf at Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and interested parties can tune in to the action on BTN.
Betting Preview: Purdue Boilermakers at Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska is playing the role of underdog and is currently getting 3 points in this Saturday Big 10 game. The Boilermakers are also receiving -155 moneyline odds while the Cornhuskers are +135. It looks like there should be some solid live betting opportunities for this game.
The Boilermakers have lost 8.7 units so far and are 2-2 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 2-2.
The Cornhuskers have lost 6.8 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 0-3 ATS and own an O/U record of 1-2.
The Boilermakers have gone 1-3 straight up (SU), including 0-1 SU against Big 10 opponents. The Cornhuskers are 0-3 SU overall and 0-1 SU in conference play.
The Boilermakers are on the upswing after a 30-13 win over Boston College last week. The passing game was on point as David Blough completed 21 passes on 28 attempts for 296 yards and three touchdowns. D.J. Knox (51 rushing yards on 20 attempts, one TD) mounted the running attack in the win. Rondale Moore (eight receptions, 110 yards, two TDs) and Isaac Zico (six catches, 84 yards) handled the receiving duties.
One week ago, Michigan knocked off this Nebraska team by a score of 56-10. The Cornhuskers defense allowed the Wolverines to eat up the clock by running for 285 yards on 45 rush attempts, including four rush TDs. Karan Higdon had a good outing in the win, posting 136 rushing yards and a score on 12 attempts for Michigan. As a group, the Cornhuskers collectively completed 13-of-24 passes for 93 yards and one interception. Adrian Martinez went seven-for-15 for 22 yards and one interception while Andrew Bunch was six-of-nine for 71 yards. Martinez (-12 yards on seven rush attempts) spearheaded the ground game in the defeat as JD Spielman (four receptions, 5 yards) and Stanley Morgan Jr. (three catches, 61 yards) led all Nebraska pass-catchers.
Purdue’s run the ball on 44.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Nebraska has a rush percentage of 62.3 percent. The Boilermakers have produced 165.3 rush yards/game and have five scores via handoffs this year. The Cornhuskers are totaling 185.0 rushing yards per game and have four total rush TDs.
Based on the early season results, it seems like the Boilermakers might have the edge in all aspects of the ground game. Their backfield has produced 5.3 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 3.6 to opponents. The Cornhuskers have ran for 4.2 yards per carry and given up 4.1 YPC to opponents.
The Boilermakers offensive scheme has tallied 318.3 yards per game through the air overall and has eight passing scores so far. The Cornhuskers have produced 168.7 pass yards per game and have three total pass TDs.
Purdue has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 138.3 yards and pass for 275.3 yards per game. The Nebraska defense has allowed 222.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 157.3 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Boilermakers have given up an ANY/A of 5.60 to opposing QBs, while the Cornhuskers are yielding an ANY/A of 5.36.
Passing-wise, Blough is up to 418 yards this season, and has completed 39-of-54 attempts with three scores through the air and has yet to throw an interception. He has a 7.27 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 10.08 over the last two outings.
We expect Blough to distribute the football early and often in this one. Rondale Moore (69 receiving yards and three touchdowns), Isaac Zico (101 yards) and Brycen Hopkins (69 yards) have all been heavily involved recently.
In the host locker room, Andrew Bunch has managed to complete 10-of-18 passes for 120 yards, zero TDs and zero INTs. Bunch’s ANY/A sits at 6.67 for the season and 4.49 over his past two outings.
We’re looking for Cornhuskers to maintain tempo by getting the ball into the hands of their running backs. In addition to Stanley Morgan Jr. (136 receiving yards), Maurice Washington (36 rush yards) and Greg Bell (107 rush yards) have been focal points in the Nebraska offense.
When these two squads met last year, Nebraska got the victory 25-24.
Purdue Boilermakers at Nebraska Cornhuskers Betting Prediction
SU Winner: Purdue, ATS Winner: Purdue
Betting Notes
- Purdue was the underdog by 6 points in its last game and the O/U going into it was 62.5. The under cashed and Purdue covered in the 30-13 triumph over Boston College.
- Purdue has averaged 2.1 yards per carry over its last two contests.
- Nebraska has averaged 2.9 YPC over its last two.
- Both teams have lost four fumbles this year.
- In its last three contests, Purdue is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- Nebraska was favored by 18 points in its last outing and the Over/Under was set at 53.5. The over cashed and Nebraska failed to cover in the team’s 56-10 loss to Michigan.
- Over its last three matchups, Nebraska is 0-3 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Boilermakers offense has tallied five pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Cornhuskers have accounted for one such play.
- The Purdue defense has allowed four pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Nebraska has given up two such plays.
- The Purdue offense has created nine rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Nebraska has created eight such runs.
- The Boilermakers defense has allowed four rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Cornhuskers have given up six such runs.
- Each team defense has created 11 sacks this season.
