*** 2017 Game 9 "Expert" Picks: Northwestern at Nebraska ***

[Saunders]

2017 Game 9 “Expert” Picks: Northwestern @ Nebraska
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CollegeFootballNews.com
http://collegefootballnews.com/2017/11/nebraska-vs-northwestern-fearless-prediction-game-preview

It’s the swing game for the midsection of the Big Ten West. It’s Wisconsin’s division, but Northwestern is on an interesting three-game winning streak, with a strong win over Iowa being followed up by a terrific overtime victory over Michigan State. And now, after what looked like a massively disappointing season after the first half, it will end up with a bowl appearance with just one more win. With Purdue, Minnesota and Illinois to close, beat Nebraska, and a ten-win season – if the Cats win the bowl – is still possible. Nebraska’s disastrous run can still be solid, too. The team hasn’t quit, with a gut-check 25-24 win at Purdue last week to get past losses to Wisconsin and Ohio State. Win two of the last four games – at Minnesota, at Penn State, and Iowa past this – and the Huskers are going bowling.

One Reason Why Nebraska Will Win
Get Tanner Lee going and keep him rolling. Lee rallied the Huskers back against Purdue, finishing with 431 yards and two scores. He might be in for another huge game if the Northwestern secondary keeps on struggling. The Cats have allowed 197 passing yards or more against everyone, and were positively torched over the last few weeks – and Maryland and Iowa don’t positively torch anyone with their passing games. Last week, Michigan State’s Brian Lewerke bombed away for 445 yards and four scores. The Spartans lost, but the NU defense didn’t do much of anything until the final moments of overtime. As long as Lee doesn’t throw a slew of bad picks, look out.

One Reason Why Northwestern Will Win
Lee might have a big game, and Clayton Thorson should go off, too. The Wildcats haven’t done nearly enough on the offensive line to get the ground game going on a consistent basis – NU has one of the Big Ten’s worst running games – and they’re miserable against good pass rushes. Nebraska doesn’t have a pass rush. Thorson has had his ups and downs, but against Michigan State’s nasty D, he threw for an effective 356 yards and two scores. When he’s on, he can carry the offense by himself. Nebraska’s secondary hasn’t faced a slew of top passers, but J.T. Barrett cranks up 354 yards and five scores in Oho State’s blowout win two weeks ago.

What’s Going To Happen
Will the two quarterbacks really put up the huge numbers they did last week in their respective wins? It’s not going to be quite that crazy, but these two should come up with a thriller. Neither running game will do much, and neither defensive front will be effective. At home, though, the Huskers will be a wee bit stronger – especially in the secondary.

Nebraska 30 - Northwestern 27

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BTN.com
http://btn.com/2017/11/01/polls-its-time-to-pick-your-week-10-big-ten-football-winners-3/

Tom Dienhart: Northwestern 34 - Nebraska 24
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ESPN FPI
http://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400935400

Northwestern - 60.0% Win
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Bill Connelly S&P+
https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2017/11/2/16597322/college-football-picks-week-10-2017-predictions-odds-spreads

S&P+: Nebraska 28 - Northwestern 26 (54.3% Northwestern Win)
F+ Projection: Northwestern by 1 (51.4% Northwestern Win)
Adjusted S&P+: Nebraska by 3  (57.8% Nebraska Win)
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Athlon Sports
https://athlonsports.com/college-football/college-football-picks-expert-predictions-every-game-week-10-2017

Steven Lassan: NW
Mitch Light: NW
Bryan Fischer: N

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Big Red Wrap-Up
http://netnebraska.org/interactive-multimedia/sports/big-red-wrap-northwestern-prediction-4

Kevin Kugler: Northwestern 24 - Nebraska 21
Blake Lawrence: Northwestern 27 - Nebraska 24
Damon Benning: Nebraska 27 - Northwestern 24
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Daily Nebraskan
http://www.dailynebraskan.com/sports/football-score-predictions-nebraska-vs-northwestern/article_6b1e3e18-bd1f-11e7-bb21-431e4be4bc6f.html

Greg Harmon: Nebraska 27 - Northwestern 24
Zach Markon: Nebraska 27 - Northwestern 21
Anna Gleason: Nebraska 31 - Northwestern 21
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[teachercd]

The DN is awesome!  

[Roll Skers]

I think we will...... i don’t know 

[brophog]

I think we won't. Northwestern is very good in the red zone, and I think we struggle there again. Normally, that's not a very important stat, maybe surprisingly, but this game is so close on paper that it could be the difference. I think both teams can move the ball, so who can maximize that seems important.

[teachercd]

Wow, NW really can get to 10 wins...That would be impressive.

[Big Red Commie]

Cats 31

Corncakes 23

Edited November 2, 2017 by Big Red Commie

[Hunter94]

our red zone offense is disturbing........the kids could have worked on that for a solid week, everyday. i wonder if the o-line averaging 30 lbs more per man is just the fat factor?

[secretasianman]

I think NU wins.

[Nebhawk]

I picked NW by less than one score.  I can see a scenario that if we can score early and get the crowd involved, we can win this game.  I just don't have that trust in our staff and players.  I think that although NW, is not greatly talented, I do think that they have more talent at key positions than we do.

 

NW 38-NU 31

[Frost Advisory]

Northwestern always plays us tough and we've lost to them a couple times in recent history.  They have a pretty good streak going right now.  We have played awful all season and squeaked out a last minute win against Purdue just last week.  Until we show some cohesion I don't see how you can pick us in any game.  I'll go Northwestern by 4.

[Frost Advisory]

We are also super beat up right now and injuries are beginning to pile up.  That will be another hurdle to overcome and let's be honest, Nebraska doesn't have the depth to survive the injury bug.

[brophog]

Why is everyone picking this game 27-24? Is everyone from the future or something? I've never seen such a thing. 

[Big Red Commie]

So, is this the HB game prediction thread too, or just the "experts"?

 

Where is the HB prediction thread?

[brophog]

2 minutes ago, Big Red Commie said:

So, is this the HB game prediction thread too, or just the "experts"?

 

Where is the HB prediction thread?

 

It's in the contest crib.

 

[billdozer15]

I'm going to bet this is the week that Langs-O-callahan-de'beck decides to run between the tackles 50 times for 13 yards.