*** 2019 Game 1 "Expert" Picks: South Alabama At Nebraska ***

[Saunders]

2019 Game 1 “Expert” Picks: South Alabama @ Nebraska

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CollegeFootballNews.com

https://collegefootballnews.com/2019/08/nebraska-vs-south-alabama-prediction-game-preview

Nebraska has been everyone’s offseason darling, and against South Alabama it should be able to do something it wasn’t able to do until October 20th of last season – win a game. USA and the Huskers met once before in 2015 – a 48-9 Nebraska win – and this time around, it’s the Jaguars’ only game against a Power Five program, and it’s a nice paycheck day with Jackson State coming up next. Nebraska has to go to Colorado after this.

Why South Alabama Will Win

It’s likely going to take a little while for the Nebraska defense to rise up and be a factor. Five of the top six tacklers are gone, the safety situation needs a game or two to be solidified, and overall, the group that allowed 434 yards per game needs to be a whole lot stronger.

The USA offense had a hard time consistently moving the ball, but it has a good-looking quarterback in Cephus Johnson, and with just enough talent among the rest of the skill spots to be a problem for the Husker D. However …

Why Nebraska Will Win

The Jaguar defense that had a nightmare of a time against the run – allowing over 200 yards per game – wasn’t good at holding on after giving up long drives, didn’t generate enough of a pass rush, and has question marks in the linebacking corps.

Yes, the USA offense should be better, but it’s not going to be good enough to keep up if Adrian Martinez and the Huskers go off. If the Jaguar D line can’t start getting to the Nebraska backfield before it can get going in the sped-up attack, it’s going to be a long day.

Last year’s USA D only gave up fewer than 30 points once against an FBS team – allowing 28 points to Coastal Carolina in the season finale. Be stunned if the Nebraska doesn’t easily get into the 30s, and good luck to the South Alabama offense to keep up.

What’s Going To Happen

Nebraska will look the part. This really is a better South Alabama team that should be a whole lot stronger than the 3-9 version of last year, but it’s about to run into a buzzsaw.

The Husker defense will be fast and productive – it won’t have to worry about any sort of power from the Jaguar O line – but the headline will be the huge performance by Martinez and a Nebraska offense that puts the game away in the first 20 minutes.

Nebraska 48 - South Alabama 17

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CBS Sports (* denotes not covering spread of -36.5) 

https://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/features/writers/expert/picks/against-the-spread/1

Dennis Dodd: N

Jerry Palm: N

Tom Fornelli : N

Chip Patterson: N*

Barton Simmons: N

Barrett Sallee: N*

Ben Kercheval: N*

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ESPN FPI

https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401112238

Nebraska - 97.7% Win

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Bill Connelly SP+

https://twitter.com/ESPN_BillC/status/1167102937207922694/photo/1

Nebraska 47 - South Alabama 16

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Athlon Sports

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/south-alabama-jaguars-vs-nebraska-cornhuskers-prediction-picks-2019

This is the type of game any Power 5 program looking for a successful season should schedule for its first contest. South Alabama isn’t equipped to handle the talent, speed or strength of Nebraska. In what is essentially a glorified scrimmage, this game will largely be about the Huskers knocking the rust off and preparing for next week’s tilt at Colorado. The final score may not be quite the bloodbath many are expecting, as Frost will no doubt want to give his starters a rest and avoid injury before taking on the Buffaloes. That said, if Nebraska is chalking up quick scoring drives early, this encounter could be wrapped up in extremely short order.

Nebraska 52 - South Alabama 13

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Big Red Wrap-Up

http://netnebraska.org/interactive-multimedia/sports/big-red-wrap-south-alabama-prediction-0

Mike’l Severe: Nebraska 48 - South Alabama 17

Sean Callahan: Nebraska 56 - South Alabama 17

Jay More: Nebraska 52 - South Alabama 20

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More to come...

[brophog]

For context - S Alabama gave up 49 points per game on the road last year.

[teachercd]

This line is driving me crazy because if USA scores 21 I can't see the Huskers covering and I don't trust the Husker defense yet.

[Nebfanatic]

Their D is swiss cheese and their offense will have a hard time moving the ball. Johnson isn't a consistent passer and their run game is going to have a challenge against our DL unit. They don't have the power up front and I think our defense has gone up against extreme window dressing enough to not be fooled by gimmicky plays. Should be a long day for USA

[teachercd]

2 minutes ago, Nebfanatic said:

Their D is swiss cheese and their offense will have a hard time moving the ball. Johnson isn't a consistent passer and their run game is going to have a challenge against our DL unit. They don't have the power up front and I think our defense has gone up against extreme window dressing enough to not be fooled by gimmicky plays. Should be a long day for USA

Politics have their own forum.  

[Nebfanatic]

3 minutes ago, teachercd said:

Politics have their own forum.  

I don't care anymore now that we've been sold off. I'm pretty much asking for a ban.

[brophog]

2 minutes ago, Nebfanatic said:

They don't have the power up front and I think our defense has gone up against extreme window dressing enough to not be fooled by gimmicky plays. 

 

Their schemes play into the concepts we’ve practiced against all fall. They may pull a wrinkle here and there, but we should be well prepared from that facet. 

 

 

[teachercd]

Okay...I have heard enough...I am taking NU!

[CapoValley]

19 minutes ago, teachercd said:

This line is driving me crazy because if USA scores 21 I can't see the Huskers covering and I don't trust the Husker defense yet.

The game will never be in doubt but Nebraska won’t cover the spread. 

[teachercd]

1 minute ago, CapoValley said:

The game will never be in doubt but Nebraska won’t cover the spread. 

I keep thinking 52-21ish.

[CapoValley]

I don’t know how many points Nebraska is going to score. We have a team good enough to pull the starters against a team like this but I doubt the depth is good/experienced enough to keep the scoring up, or then from scoring a garbage time td. 

 

35 points is too much

[Xmas32]

24 minutes ago, teachercd said:

This line is driving me crazy because if USA scores 21 I can't see the Huskers covering and I don't trust the Husker defense yet.

What's the NU first half line?

[teachercd]

1 minute ago, Xmas32 said:

What's the NU first half line?

It is not out on mine just yet...but I am thinking it will be around 18-19

[Xmas32]

2 minutes ago, teachercd said:

It is not out on mine just yet...but I am thinking it will be around 18-19

I'd be pretty excited to lay anything less than 21.  I'm guessing it'll be -21.5.

[brophog]

23 minutes ago, teachercd said:

This line is driving me crazy because if USA scores 21 I can't see the Huskers covering and I don't trust the Husker defense yet.

 

Maybe this will help you lose some money. Even Troy didn’t score 21 on our defense, and they’re much better (and hopefully so is our defense). When these lower tier teams have come in, it’s as much our turnovers and special teams that has enabled them to score as anything.