Game 4 “Expert” Picks: Miami @ Nebraska

[Saunders]

Game 4 “Expert” Picks: Miami @ Nebraska

CollegeFootballNews.com

http://cfn.scout.com/2/1452637.html

Miami (2-1) at Nebraska (3-0) Sept. 20, 8:00, ESPN2

Here's The Deal: Two traditional powerhouses meet in Lincoln for a compelling, blast-from-the-past matchup.

Miami and Nebraska have combined to win 10 national championship, eight since 1983. But building a bridge to the glory days has been difficult for both, especially the Hurricanes. Miami is still feeling its way through the post-NCAA investigation era, while looking for its first ACC crown since joining the league a decade ago. The Canes have bounced back from a Labor Day loss to Louisville by beating Florida A&M and Arkansas State. While the Huskers have been in much better shape in recent years, hardware has been elusive for them as well. And a close call with McNeese State two weeks ago raised worries that another year will pass without a Big Ten title.

Why Miami Might Win: The offense is moving in the proper direction, and coming off its best game. The Canes have plenty of speedy playmakers, like RB Duke Johnson and receivers Stacy Coley and Phillip Dorsett. The missing piece was at quarterback, but rookie Brad Kaaya is fresh off a confidence-building effort that saw him throw for 342 yards and four scores in the Arkansas State game. If Kaaya can stay hot, Miami has the weapons to beat the Huskers to the edge.

Why Nebraska Might Win: Miami lacks the defensive front wall to stop the Husker ground game. Nebraska is averaging 324 rushing yards a game and 7.3 yards per carry, spearheaded by dynamite, do-everything RB Ameer Abdullah and shifty QB Tommy Armstrong. Testament to the team’s backfield depth, four different players have rushed for at least two scores. The Huskers will grind down a mediocre Cane front, creating opportunities for Armstrong to hook up deep with Kenny Bell and Jordan Westerkamp.

Who To Watch Out For: Miami and Nebraska have legitimate superstars on defense. Who leaves a bigger imprint on Saturday night, Husker DE Randy Gregory or Cane LB Denzel Perryman? Gregory is an elite pass-rusher, the likes of which can shatter the confidence of a young quarterback. Perryman is the perfect antidote to the run-heavy Huskers. NFL scouts want to see how both players respond to their toughest test of the season so far.

What’s Going To Happen: Chalk one up for the Big Ten … finally.

This is a marquee opportunity for Abdullah, and he won’t squander it. In fact, he’ll put the Huskers on his back if need be, much as he’s done in recent years. The Big Red running game will be most effective in the second half, when Miami’s legs are getting tired. Abdullah will outplay Johnson in the battle of the premier backs, while Kaaya takes a small step back playing at night in Lincoln against a fired up D.

Prediction: Nebraska 33 - Miami 28

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BTN.com

http://btn.com/2014/09/17/week-4-see-our-predictions-for-all-13-big-ten-football-games/

Sean Merriman: Nebraska 35 - Miami 27

Brent Yarina: Nebraska 31 - Miami 27

Tom Dienhart: Nebraska 29 - Miami 28

Matt Zenitz: Nebraska 30 - Miami 20

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ESPN Big Ten Blog

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/107488/big-ten-predictions-week-4-3

The Canes have the talent to make it close, but they don’t have the quarterback to steal a game from a big-time opponent on the road yet.

Nebraska 34 - Miami 31

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ESPN ACC Blog

http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/74655/acc-week-4-predictions

The Cornhuskers have a big edge on the Hurricanes in the trenches, and that is where this game will be decided. Miami’s defense has played better, but it will have a tough time slowing down Heisman contender Ameer Abdullah on the road in a nationally televised game.

Nebraska 35 - Miami 24

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Athlon Sports

http://athlonsports.com/college-football/acc-2014-week-4-preview-and-predictions

In terms of name value, it doesn’t get much better than this. Two of college football’s iconic programs square off for the first time since the 2001 Rose Bowl on Saturday night. And for both teams, this game is a good opportunity to build momentum before the bulk of conference play starts. Nebraska pounded FAU and Fresno State by a combined score of 110-26 but needed a last-minute miracle to beat McNeese State 31-24. Miami lost its opener to Louisville and rebounded by beating Florida A&M and Arkansas State. Considering the light non-conference schedules for both teams, it’s hard to gauge where both programs are entering Week 4. Running backs Duke Johnson (Miami) and Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska) are two of the best in the nation and will test the opposing defensive lines. But while the spotlight is on Abdullah and Johnson, it’s likely the battle between young quarterbacks Tommy Armstrong (Nebraska) and Brad Kaaya (Miami) will determine which team emerges victorious.

David Fox: Nebraska 38 - Miami 14

Braden Gall: Nebraska 41 - Miami 14

Steven Lassan: Nebraska 31 - Miami 24

Mitch Light: Nebraska 27 - Miami 21

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CBS Sports

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/features/writers/expert/picks/straight-up/4

Dennis Dodd - N

Jeremy Fowler - N

Jon Solomon - N*

Jerry Palm - N

Tom Fornelli - N

Jerry Jinnen - N

Chip Patterson - N

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Yahoo! Sports

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/picks?w=4

Pat Forde: N

Graham Watson: N

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Big Red Wrap-Up

http://netnebraska.org/interactive-multimedia/sports/big-red-wrap-miami-prediction

Kevin Kugler: Nebraska 34 - Miami 17

Blake Lawrence: Nebraska 35 - Miami 31

Adrian Fiala: Nebraska 37 - Miami 24

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Bleacher Report

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2198379-college-football-picks-week-4-predictions-and-odds-for-top-25-schedule

Nebraska 34 - Miami 27

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Sporting News

http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2014-08-27/week-4-picks-spread-auburn-kansas-state-FSU-clemson-alabama-florida-Oklahoma-WVU/slide/11

Bill Bender: Nebraska 31 - Miami 17

Ken Bradley: Nebraska 34 - Miami 23

Teddy Greenstein: Nebraska 28 - Miami 24

Mike Griffith: Nebraska 30 - Miami 20

Matt Hayes: Nebraska 30 - Miami 16

Dave Matter: Nebraska 31 - Miami 20

Cory McCartney: Nebraska 20 - Miami 10

Natalie Pierre: Nebraska 23 - Miami 20

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AP - Ralph D Russo

http://collegefootball.ap.org/article/florida-wvu-chance-breakthrough-wins

Hurricanes vs. Cornhuskers used to mean a national championship was on the line. The difference between ranked and unranked

Nebraska 28 - Miami 20

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USA Today

http://q.usatoday.com/2014/09/18/college-football-staff-picks-usa-today-sports/

Nicole Aurbach: N

Paul Myerberg: N

George Schroeder: N

Erick Smith: N

Eddie Timanus: UM

Dan Uthman: N

Dan Wolken: N

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(* indicates win, not covering 8.5 point spread)

 

[deedsker]

Oh God! Everyone is picking us. The meltdown is upon us?

 

[knapplc]

Thanks for putting this together every week, saunders. It's interesting to see who the "experts" think will win these games.

I'm pretty surprised everyone is picking Nebraska. If there's one thing that gives this team trouble it's speed, and Miami has that in abundance. I see it as a pretty close game.

 

[BigRedBuster]

Wow...I like seeing everyone's confidence in us.

SWEET!!!!

 

[HUSKER FREAK]

I was kinda hoping for some disrespect from the media......Oh well they just need to get to business and not let the environment get them to high and then drop off like we have seen before

 

[Minnesota_husker]

Agree with Knapp--Thanks for doing this every week. It is a lot of work and makes it WAY too easy for all of us. +1 and i suggest everyone else throw a +1 your way!

Now when it comes to the actual information. I am a bit surprised everyone picked Nebraska. Miami isnt a bad team, and are coming off a couple wins with a young QB to build his confidence. Nebraska hasnt seen a defense this good yet.

If Nebraska plays their game, i dont see any reason they cant win by 3 scores... but if they get caught up in the hype.. and make early mistakes, it could be a long night in Lincoln.

I still give the nod to the Huskers. They have something to prove. I think the Blackshirts are going to DOMINATE.

 

[Lyons in the Sea of Red.]

I'm pretty nervous for this game. We always play down at home for some reason.

 

[NUpolo8]

I was kinda hoping for some disrespect from the media......Oh well they just need to get to business and not let the environment get them to high and then drop off like we have seen before

Eventually, they'll need a new card to play other than "us against the world".

Here's a great chance. Everyone thinks you should win. Win.

 

[HUSKER FREAK]

I was kinda hoping for some disrespect from the media......Oh well they just need to get to business and not let the environment get them to high and then drop off like we have seen before

Eventually, they'll need a new card to play other than "us against the world".

Here's a great chance. Everyone thinks you should win. Win.

Exactly. If there is anything at all that I would complain about Pelini it is the fact that his teams cant seem to handle the hype very well. They need to go out and just go to work and win the damn game. I really don't care if it is by one point and ugly, they just need to win. Although I would be as giddy as a school girls if we would kick their asses.

 

[Hunter94]

Agree with Knapp--Thanks for doing this every week. It is a lot of work and makes it WAY too easy for all of us. +1 and i suggest everyone else throw a +1 your way!

Now when it comes to the actual information. I am a bit surprised everyone picked Nebraska. Miami isnt a bad team, and are coming off a couple wins with a young QB to build his confidence. Nebraska hasnt seen a defense this good yet.

If Nebraska plays their game, i dont see any reason they cant win by 3 scores... but if they get caught up in the hype.. and make early mistakes, it could be a long night in Lincoln.

I still give the nod to the Huskers. They have something to prove. I think the Blackshirts are going to DOMINATE.

Miami's speed will be a test for us........this will be a close game, right down to the end....if we turn the ball over more than twice, it will be damn tough to win.

 

[sd'sker]

i do not care if the final score is close, i just hope we control this game. a safe distance throughout most of it. good rhythm on offense and a lot of 3 and outs.

 

[deedsker]

i do not care if the final score is close, i just hope we control this game. a safe distance throughout most of it. good rhythm on offense and a lot of 3 and outs.

And a couple turnovers from Kaaya.

 

[Minnesota_husker]

Agree with Knapp--Thanks for doing this every week. It is a lot of work and makes it WAY too easy for all of us. +1 and i suggest everyone else throw a +1 your way!

Now when it comes to the actual information. I am a bit surprised everyone picked Nebraska. Miami isnt a bad team, and are coming off a couple wins with a young QB to build his confidence. Nebraska hasnt seen a defense this good yet.

If Nebraska plays their game, i dont see any reason they cant win by 3 scores... but if they get caught up in the hype.. and make early mistakes, it could be a long night in Lincoln.

I still give the nod to the Huskers. They have something to prove. I think the Blackshirts are going to DOMINATE.

Miami's speed will be a test for us........this will be a close game, right down to the end....if we turn the ball over more than twice, it will be damn tough to win.

I agree.. will test our Linebackers... but we have a great D-line that will help fix some of the mistakes that we might see from the LB core.

Not to mention a secodary that is better than i expected-- strong look from the safeties.

 

[Lyons in the Sea of Red.]

I am ready to make Nickel our base package. One slow linebacker on the field is enough. Let the quick guys loose and instill the gang tackling mentality.

 

[Saunders]

Thanks for putting this together every week, saunders. It's interesting to see who the "experts" think will win these games.

I'm pretty surprised everyone is picking Nebraska. If there's one thing that gives this team trouble it's speed, and Miami has that in abundance. I see it as a pretty close game.

No prob, I enjoy doing it! I'll keep doing them weekly, once the picks are in, so normally Thursday, Friday at the latest. I like seeing the national perspective on the program.

Edit: Added a couple more picks at the bottom.