Saunders Posted September 15, 2021 Share Posted September 15, 2021 2021 Game 4 “Expert” Picks: Nebraska @ Oklahoma ————— CollegeFootballNews.com https://collegefootballnews.com/2021/09/oklahoma-vs-nebraska-prediction-game-preview Why Nebraska Will Win The Huskers have turned it back around. They looked they needed a few tune-ups to start the season as they stumbled their way through a Week 1 loss to Illinois. Beating Fordham and Buffalo doesn’t change anything if they can’t roasted by Oklahoma and Michigan State on the road over the next two weeks, but there are improvements. QB Adrian Martinez has been sharper, the defense has held up, and the lines have played far better than they did against the Illini. The plays in the backfield are coming – they have to pressure Spencer Rattler from the start – and the downfield plays are hitting averaging more than 16 yards per throw. Oklahoma wasn’t tested against Western Carolina, but Tulane was able to get the O moving late in the comeback effort in a 40-35 loss. Martinez and the Husker attack will keep things moving. Why Oklahoma Will Win The offense is humming. It took its foot off the gas against Tulane, but Rattler has been every bit the passer he was supposed to be with his loaded receiving corps to work with, the downfield passing game is working, and best of all so far, the mistakes haven’t been costly – yet. The four turnovers in two games are too many, but the defense has made up for it with three takeaways in each of the first two games. Yes, Nebraska is playing better than it did in the opener, but it’s still getting hit with way too many penalties, the defense isn’t great on third downs. and while there are plays in the backfield against the run, there aren’t enough sacks. Give Rattler time, and there’s a problem. What’s Going To Happen This is the big moment for Scott Frost and Nebraska. A mediocre run so far – to be kind – can take an instant turn up with a shocking win on the road in in what used to be the biggest of big powerhouse rivalry games. The two haven’t met since Oklahoma beat Nebraska in the 2010 Big 12 Championship, but this matchup used to stop the sports world. To a whole slew of fans of a certain age, this is supposed to matter, but it only will if the Huskers really can play up to what the program should be. The problem is that Nebraska will be good in this, and it won’t be enough. The energy will be there, but Rattler and the OU offense will get off to a good start, go into a bit of a lull, and will pick it back up to pull away in the fourth quarter as the Husker mistakes start to pile up. Oklahoma 45 - Nebraska 23 ————— ESPN FPI http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/fpi/_/id/158/year/2021 Oklahoma - 91.8% ————— DRatings https://www.dratings.com/predictor/ncaa-football-predictions/1e3b560e-e5a6-54ee-83e9-036faa194b11 Oklahoma 42 - Nebraska 20 Oklahoma - 90.2% ————— Sporting News https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/college-football-picks-predictions-week-3-spreads/1gbm6v1srxp0c189k4nva1b14u This used to be the marquee game in the old Big 12. Now, the question is whether Nebraska can cover a three-plus TD spread? The Huskers are 6-4 ATS as a road underdog under Scott Frost, and the offense should put up enough points on the Sooners. Oklahoma 45 - Nebraska 24 ————— ESPN Bill Connelly SP+ https://twitter.com/ESPN_BillC/status/1438120586790723584?s=20 Oklahoma 39 - Nebraska 20 ————— AP - Ralph Russo https://apnews.com/article/sports-college-football-ohio-alabama-football-3ba28f42842512654fd2d569b684af2c Last meeting came in the 2010 Big 12 championship game; since parting ways, the Huskers are 80-60 and Sooners are 108-25 Oklahoma 45 - Nebraska 21 ————— More to come!!! 3 Quote Link to comment
hskrfan4life Posted September 15, 2021 Share Posted September 15, 2021 The grammatical errors annoy me, but we are allowing opponents to convert 38% of their third downs, which compared to 2020 is better, Nebraska needs two takeaways this game. We've done better turning them into points but need to turn them into touchdowns in this game. Quote Link to comment
Nebraska55fan Posted September 15, 2021 Share Posted September 15, 2021 I'm not confident in predicting this game. OU has had games they struggled, but usually when Rattler has been pressured. We don't do that well. Our lack of run game and miscues on special teams just doesn't allow me to hopeful thought of- if these things happen we can win. I'll watch and hope for the best. I talked our group out of going down to Norman-- selling them on East Lansing instead. If we win- they're going to be happy- but sorry we didn't go. 1 Quote Link to comment
Lorewarn Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 I see OU winning this by either a score akin to 51-17 or 31-28. Quote Link to comment
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