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*** 2017 Game 1 "Expert" Picks: Arkansas State at Nebraska ***


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2017 Game 1 “Expert” Picks: Arkansas State @ Nebraska
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CollegeFootballNews.com
http://collegefootballnews.com/2017/08/nebraska-vs-arkansas-state-prediction-game-preview

 

If there’s any buzz about Nebraska going into the season, it’s really, really quiet. The Huskers aren’t expected to make a whole lot of noise in a loaded Big Ten, mainly because of the lack of star power and recent above-averageness in the conference chase. But this might be a quiet killer after getting a few games to work. It should be solid defensively, Tanner Lee is looking like a rising star quarterback, and there’s a chance to sneak up on everyone and be terrific in head coach Mike Riley’s third year at the helm.

Forget all of that if Arkansas State wins. The Red Wolves should be a factor in the Sun Belt this season with decent experience and a few good-looking players on both sides, but they’re not used to going into a big-time Power Five house and coming away with a win. They might just be good enough to pull it off, though.

 

One Reason Why Arkansas State Will Win
The Arkansas State defensive front – even with a few key replacements – is going to be a problem. The Nebraska offensive line has experience, but it needs to be a whole lot better and more consistent right away. Ja’Von Rolland-Jones is one of the best pure pass rushers the Huskers will face all season, and former Alabama defensive tackle Dee Liner will be a tough block in the interior. Throw in the rock-solid linebackers, and the Red Wolves have a good-looking front six.

 

One Reason Why Nebraska Will Win
Yeah, Lee will be the big story if he has a big game leading the Husker offense, but the defensive front should be the star against a totally rebuild ASU O line. With new defensive coordinator Bob Diaco coming in – he struggled as the UConn head man but cranked up a whale of a defense – get ready for a whole lot of energy and an attacking system that’ll bring the heat from the linebackers and get big plays from the front three. Nebraska might turn Arkansas State into a passing team right away – it’s not going to do much running on this group.

 

What’s Going To Happen
It’ll be a sound, satisfying win for the Huskers. Will it be the type of win that makes Oregon quake going into next week’s big showdown in Eugene? Not really, but it’ll be ultra-efficient and very, very effective on both sides of the ball. Again, Arkansas State isn’t bad, but Nebraska is about to show that it’s going to be solid.

Nebraska 37 - Arkansas State 10
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BTN.com

http://btn.com/2017/08/30/who-wins-week-1-big-ten-football-games-get-to-voting/

 

Tom Dienhart: Nebraska 34 - Arkansas State 20

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ESPN FPI
http://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400935235

 

Nebraska - 83.9% Win
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Bill Connelly S&P+

https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2017/8/31/16232288/college-football-picks-week-1-2017-predictions-odds-spreads

 

S&P+: Nebraska 33 - Arkansas State 18 (80.5% NU Win)
F+ Projection: Nebraska by 15 (81.2% NU Win)
Adjusted S&P+: Nebraska by 19.6 (87.1% NU Win)
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Athlon Sports
https://athlonsports.com/college-football/predictions-every-college-football-game-week-1-2017

 

Steven Lassan: N
Mitch Light : N
Bryan Fischer: N
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Big Red Wrap-Up

http://netnebraska.org/interactive-multimedia/sports/big-red-wrap-arkansas-state-prediction-0

 

Kevin Kugler: Nebraska 31 - Arkansas State 17
Sean Callahan: Nebraska 41 - Arkansas State 17
Damon Benning: Nebraska 34 - Arkansas State 14
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Daily Nebraskan
http://www.dailynebraskan.com/sports/arkansas-state-outcome-predictions/article_6d50f9d0-8ba8-11e7-98b7-8b222804d100.html

 

Husker fans can expect several differences from last year, including a new starting quarterback and the switch to a 3-4 defensive scheme. Tulane transfer Tanner Lee has a lot to prove coming into Saturday’s game. He’s the first pocket passer the Nebraska offense has seen in a long time, so how he performs will be a key indicator of how well the Huskers might do this year.

 

Early reports suggest the biggest concern is how well the offensive line will be able to protect its new quarterback. If the O-line can execute, I think we’ll see a strong offense in this opening game.

 

I’m also eager to see the new defensive scheme implemented by defensive coordinator Bob Diaco. When Diaco coached at Notre Dame he used the same approach, which helped them reach the BCS national championship game in 2013. The success of this defense right off the bat will be crucial to the rest of the season. While Arkansas State may not be a concern, I think it will be important to see if the new game plans pay off for the Huskers.

 

Greg Harmon: Nebraska 35 - Arkansas State 21
Zach Markon: Nebraska 24 - Arkansas State 17
Anna Gleason: Nebraska 21 - Arkansas State 15

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Nebraska 247 Sports

http://nebraska.247sports.com/Gallery/A-game-by-game-look-at-Nebraskas-2017-season-106704028/GallerySlides/663404

 

Michael Bruntz: Nebraska 42 - Arkansas State 20

Brian Christopherson: Nebraska 40 - Arkansas State 17

Mike Schaefer: Nebraska 35 - Arkansas State 17

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