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The Bruins vs. Cornhuskers betting line for Week 3 (2013) had Nebraska as a -3.5 point favorite at Sportsbook.com where you can claim your FREE $100 BET HERE.
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: Nebraska -3.5 & 70
Opening Line & Total: Cornhuskers -4 & 70
The 23rd-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers look to avenge last season’s loss in Pasadena as they play host to No. 16 UCLA in Lincoln.
Last season, these two teams squared off in a high-scoring affair, with the Bruins prevailing 36-30. In that game, UCLA QB Brett Hundley helped guide his team to a hefty 653 yards of total offense. This year, the offense has not lost a step as they defeated Nevada 58-20 in their opener, thanks to Hundley's 337 total yards of offense and four total touchdowns. In the past two seasons, the Bruins are 8-1 ATS when scoring more than 28 points in a game. As good as the offense of UCLA is, there are also some very good players on the defensive side of the ball for the Bruins. Senior OLB Anthony Barr is currently rated the No. 1 outside linebacker in the country according to some major scouting services. At 6-foot-4, 248 pounds, Barr is a rare blend of size and speed at the linebacking position. He has the ability to cover the slot receiver with his 4.48 speed, as well as filling up the run. Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez, a very talented quarterback in his own right, must be aware where Barr is at all time. While Nebraska’s defense still has some question marks, there is no denying that the Cornhuskers have the ability to put up points against most defenses in the country. Martinez has thrown for six touchdowns in two games while leading a Cornhuskers offensive attack that is averaging 46.5 points per game. These two teams do not play often, but Nebraska is 1-2 ATS against UCLA since 1992. Against Wyoming in the opener, Nebraska was able to escape with the victory, but the defense gave up 34 points. Even worse, they gave up 602 yards of offense, including 383 through the air. If the Blackshirts are unable to live up to their name, then it is going to be very difficult for Nebraska to win, even in Lincoln.
Scroll Down After This Video From Carrie Stroup....
Last year, the Bruins had a very talented running back in Johnathan Franklin. He has since moved on to the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, but the rushing game has kept rolling along. The reason is redshirt junior Jordon James. He is smaller than Franklin, but is an explosive running back that has the ability to take it the distance any play. James had 155 yards and a touchdown, forcing the defense to put an extra player in the box. However, if the Cornhuskers are going to do that, then that will allow Shaq Evans some one-on-one matchups on the outside. At 6-foot-1, 211 pounds, Evans does a great job of pinning the cornerback behind him on the comeback routes. UCLA has shown the ability to step up in games against ranked teams, as they went 3-2 in such scenarios last season, but both of those were to Pac-12 champion Stanford. The special teams has shown the potential to make big plays this season for UCLA. Evans took a punt 36 yards against the Wolfpack, while Phillip Ruhl took a blocked punt in for a score. With both teams figuring to be able to move the ball at an efficient rate, the play of special teams will play a huge role in this game.
After being known as the Blackshirts throughout the 1990’s, Nebraska has struggled to live up to the expectations from its usually fierce defense. It has been even worse against ranked teams since the start of 2011, as the Huskers have given up 257 points in eight games against ranked teams, going 3-5 during that span. There is talent though on the defense, led by sophomore LB David Santos. He currently leads the Cornhuskers with 16 tackles, while junior safety Harvey Jackson is second with 11 stops. Jackson is an athletic safety that is able to play all over the field, and may even be relied upon to spy on Hundley. If Nebraska’s defense is able to slow down UCLA and get them off the field, one of the nation’s most balanced rushing attacks will have a chance to show their stuff. The Cornhuskers currently have four guys with more than 100 yards in the first two games, led by junior Ameer Abdullah with 228. He is undersized back at just 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, but he has a low center of gravity that allows him to run through tacklers. The Bruins can be downright scary on offense, and are going to be able to move the ball against Nebraska. However, the Cornhuskers offense must continue to run the ball like they have all season, and keep the UCLA offense on the sideline.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
