Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines for Nebraska vs. Ohio State

These two have had a LONG two weeks.

The 32–31 loss to Oregon meant that Ohio State had to take a break. Now, they have to get back on track because their next game is at Penn State. It is possible that this is still the best college football team, but it needs to prove it now.

It looks like Indiana just scored again against Nebraska.

The Huskers lost 56-7 in Bloomington, and the defense did not do much to help. Things will not get any better in Columbus.

After UCLA, the games will be at USC, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Nebraska will get its sixth win before the bowl game, but a win against a team as good as Ohio State could boost its confidence.

Nebraska vs Ohio State Preview

Nebraska vs Ohio State How to Watch
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
Venue: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
How to Watch: FOX
Ohio State (5-1), Nebraska (5-2)

Why Nebraska Will Win

Nebraska needs to turn up the heat right away.

The defense is good, but it needs to put pressure on the other team and cause problems for everything to work. The Huskers need to be in charge of third downs with their pass rush because Indiana and Illinois were both able to run freely and well. Ohio State will also likely be able to run hard.

Even though everyone flies into Colorado’s backfield, Nebraska’s sack of Shedeur Sanders was still important in the team’s best game of the season.

Last week’s attack from Indiana did not put enough pressure on Kurtis Rourke, their star quarterback, who hurt his hand. For this team, the big plays will be everything.

Nebraska has won all six of its games against FBS teams when it has nine or more tackles for loss. In the two losses, it only had six. But…

Why Ohio State Will Win

Ohio State might be hurting a bit on the offensive line, but it comes into this No. 1 in the Big Ten in both sacks allowed and tackles for loss given up.

The Huskers weren’t able to old up against the Indiana offensive balance. On the year the two losses came when the defense allowed more than 140 yards on the ground.

Ohio State’s worst rushing output of the year was against Oregon when it was held to 141.

Even though QB Dylan Raiola is amazing, Nebraska isn’t quite sharp enough.

It doesn’t score like it’ll need to, there are too many penalties, the punting game – at least statistically, although this is misleading – the worst in the nation, and there are too many empty trips in the red zone.

The best game Big Red has ever pitched might not be enough.

Nebraska vs Ohio State: Who Will Win

The first five weeks of the season were easy wins for Ohio State. They were so close to going through Oregon without a loss that Will Howard should have tried to be Lamar Jackson and throw the ball instead of running it on the last play.

The Buckeyes will explode in the second half after Nebraska plays well for 20 minutes but does not have much to show for it. It might take a while to get the engine working again.

Also, I do not think the Ohio State defense will be in a good mood after not playing since Autzen two weeks ago.