Oregon vs. Nebraska Prediction, Game Preview


Oregon vs. Nebraska prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins between the Ducks and Cornhuskers.


Oregon vs. Nebraska Game Preview

When: Saturday, Sept. 17 – 3:30 p.m. ET

Where:
Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Neb.

TV Broadcast:
ABC

Nebraska is tired of losing its footing nationally, but it has only itself to blame coming off its first sub-.500 season since 2007. The Cornhuskers seem determined to gain back some relevance, and are embracing the opportunity to host a high-powered Oregon team that’s ranked No. 22 in the country.

The Ducks are putting up points as usual, accounting for 1,154 yards while winning their first two games, including last week’s 44-26 home victory over Virginia. Montana State transfer Dakota Prukop has made the FCS-to-FBS transition look easy, completing 68.9 percent of his passes while throwing six touchdowns and running for another. The Huskers’ secondary has nicknamed itself Lockdown U, and Prukop is going to challenge that plenty of times in this matchup.

What To Know About Oregon

If you’re not familiar with Royce Freeman yet, you should be. Freeman is one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in the country who probably doesn’t get enough credit due to the fact that he plays on the West Coast. He’s run for four touchdowns while averaging 9.4 yards per carry, and he’s also a huge threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. Prukop also has the luxury of throwing to Darren Carrington and Devon Allen, both of which are deep threats at all times they’re on the field.

What to Know About Nebraska

The Huskers won both of their games with vastly different offensive game plans. Tommy Armstrong threw the ball just 10 times and Nebraska called 51 of 64 plays on the ground in a 43-10 win over Fresno State in the opener. Last week, Armstrong went 20 of 34 and tossed three touchdowns in a 52-17 win over Wyoming. Oregon defensive coordinator and former Michigan coach Brady Hoke runs a 4-3, although the personnel up front is a bit weak. The Huskers might be able to find some success running the ball more this week.

Advantages

Offense: Oregon – Prukop and Freeman should give the Huskers fits.

Defense: Nebraska – The Ducks allowed 28 points to UC Davis and 26 to a so-so Virginia offense.

Special Teams: Even – Both teams have dangerous weapons in the return game.

Coaching: Oregon – Going with Mike Helfrich in this one because of his offense. It will definitely frustrate Nebraska.

Intangibles: Nebraska – Lincoln is going to be rocking, and the Ducks lost last year’s trip to a Big Ten school when Michigan State beat them. Mike Riley is also familiar with Oregon’s offense, on account of his tenure at Oregon State. 

Matchup To Watch

Oregon’s offense vs. The Blackshirts

Nebraska’s defense has a couple different names, and it’s going to need all hands on deck in this one. Prukop and Freeman won’t have as easy of a time as they did against UC Davis and Virginia.

Oregon vs. Nebraska Betting Odds

Spread: Nebraska -2 1/2

Over/Under:
N/A

Oregon vs. Nebraska Prediction

The Cornhuskers jump out early in front of their home crowd and take a 10-point lead into halftime. Then, the Ducks wake up behind Freeman’s big game and come away with a narrow victory.

Oregon vs. Nebraska Prediction: Oregon 38, Nebraska 35

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