Big Ten football has been a wild ride already, with two coaches fired within the same division, including the Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-3, 2-1) who visit the Purdue Boilermakers (4-2, 2-1). Check the Nebraska vs Purdue betting pick below.
Each team blew late-game leads to open the season, with Nebraska’s poor decision-making leading to a loss against Northwestern in Ireland.
That was one of the final straws in Scott Frost’s tenure as beloved son and led to Mickey Joseph being promoted to interim head coach. Purdue, meanwhile, didn’t run for a first down late against Penn State, instead passing and leaving enough time for the Penn State Nittany Lions to win in the final minute.
Still, neither team has truly been penalized as they sit tied atop the West Division alongside Illinois, another team that blew a late lead in a conference game.
That makes Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. ET game at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana, critical for both teams. Here is a full breakdown of the game with Nebraska vs Purdue betting picks.
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Purdue Boilermakers Game Info and Analysis
Matchup Info
Nebraska travels to Purdue for a 7:30 p.m. ET start on Saturday, Oct. 15, with the game airing on Big Ten Network.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Performance Recap and Analysis
Nebraska’s offense has shown potential to be one of the top units in the country. However, they are hovering around average league-wide yet are staying fairly balanced. They are 61st in total yards at 415.5 per game while ranking 78th in points per game at 28.5 per contest. They’ve had more success throwing the ball to the tune of 255.3 yards per game (55th) than rushing at 160.2 yards per game (61st).
Texas transfer Casey Thompson is completing 65.6% of his passes with nine touchdowns to seven different receivers. He’s thrown for 1,497 yards with Trey Palmer, his favorite target, receiving 40 passes for 544 yards and three touchdowns.
As improved as their offense is, the defense has struggled to stop anyone. They are 116th in allowing 449.0 yards per game and, most concerning, 106th in allowing 263.0 passing yards per game. Purdue’s offense loves to throw the ball and will look to exploit that matchup. Nebraska’s defense allows 29.3 points per game, ranking 90th.
Key Injuries
A couple of NCAAF injuries have hit the Nebraska offense. Decoldest Crawford is out for the season with a knee injury, while fellow wide receiver Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda is questionable with an undisclosed injury. The Cornhuskers also lost Ajay Allen at running back for the season a few weeks ago.
Betting Trends to Know
After going nearly a full year without beating a FBS opponent, the Cornhuskers have won two straight. However, they are just 1-6 against the spread in their last seven games. The under is also 5-1, both following a Nebraska loss against the spread and when they score less than 20 points in the previous game.
Purdue Boilermakers Performance Recap and Analysis
Purdue team stats show the offense ranks 57th in yards per game, averaging 419.7 per contest, but are unbalanced toward the pass with 299.0 yards per game, ranking 21st. The Boilermakers score 32.5 points per game, ranking 49th.
Aidan O’Connell has been phenomenal for Purdue. He’s completing 66.7% of his passes for 1,550 yards and ten touchdowns. Charlie Jones looks like the next NFL-caliber receiver with 50 catches for 603 yards and seven touchdowns already, while tight end Payne Durham creates mismatches with 28 catches for 280 yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively, they’ve been solid as well. They allow 22.0 points per game (44th) and 327.8 yards per game (28th). Opponents are averaging 97.0 rushing yards per game against the Purdue defense, which ranks 18th.
Key Injuries
A number of players are listed as questionable on offense for Saturday. Wide receivers on the injury report include Abdur Rahmaan-Yaseen, Broc Thompson, and Elijah Canion, while running backs King Doerue and Dylan Downing – who have combined for seven touchdowns rushing – are also listed.
Betting Trends to Know
The over is 7-0 in the Purdue Boilermakers’ last seven games following an against the spread win. The over is 6-1 over the last seven home games, and the over is 7-1 following the last eight straight-up Purdue wins.
In the series, however, the road team is 5-1 against the spread in the last six meetings. Nebraska is 2-5-1 against the spread in the last eight meetings, and the underdog is 6-1-1 against the spread in the last eight meetings.
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Purdue Boilermakers Odds
Making a Nebraska vs Purdue betting pick may be difficult if going against the spread or the over/under.
Heck, even the moneyline can be tricky because of the way the Cornhuskers are playing under interim coach Mickey Joseph. But that didn’t help the Nebraska odds, as Purdue is favored by 13 points with an over/under of 58.5.
The moneyline has Purdue at -500 while Nebraska is +375.
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Purdue Boilermakers Betting Picks
Moneyline: Purdue -500; The Boilermakers have more talent on both sides of the ball, and their defense has looked the part. They’re comfortable winning close games and have the advantage of a home night game.
Over/Under: Under 58.5; For as good as Nebraska’s offense has looked, it’s hard to see them winning a track meet with how well Purdue moves the ball down the field.
Spread: Purdue has seemingly played down to the level of teams this year, yet they win. We’ll take Nebraska – yes, at 1-5 against the spread this season – to cover +13 on the road. They’re playing with confidence, but their defense needs to step up against the best passing offense they’ll have faced.
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Purdue Boilermakers Score Prediction
It’s hard to make a Nebraska vs Purdue betting pick with conviction because of how these teams have fared this year. The Cornhuskers have underperformed, while the Boilermakers are making due with close results.
Still, they’re both atop the West Division for at least one more week, with this game being a deciding factor in each teams’ trajectory.
NCAAF Pick: Purdue 31, Nebraska 20
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