ESPN Thursday Night College Football Preview
Nebraska at Missouri
Two top 25 teams square off on Thursday night when Nebraska travels to Missouri to take on the 18th ranked Tigers. Nebraska enters this game at 3-1 straight up but they have covered all four of their opening games. Their only loss came at Virginia Tech in a game where the Huskers had plenty of chances to pull off the upset. Nebraska actually out gained the Hokies by 65 yards and rushed for over 200 yards on the ground. Aside from the Virginia Tech game, it is hard to gauge just how good this Nebraska team is because their other three games have come against inferior opponents. The Huskers have beat up on Florida Atlantic, Arkansas State, and Louisiana Lafayette all at home.
Nebraska opened up as a one point favorite but the line has quickly moved up to minus three. The Huskers have been very balanced on offense averaging 256 yards per game through the air and 184 yards per game on the ground. The defense has also been very stout allowing just seven points a game but you have to remember they have only played one quality opponent. Thus, the stats may be skewed due to the weak schedule. The key for the Huskers on defense will be stopping the speed of the Missouri receivers and getting pressure Blaine Gabbert. Missouri has an outstanding passing attack, throwing for an average of 310 yards per game. The Nebraska secondary is only giving up 169 yards a game passing but this will be the best passing attack they have faced all year. The heat will be on the Nebraska secondary if they are to come out with the road victory.
Missouri meanwhile is perfect thus far this season with a 4-0 straight up record and have covered three of their four games in 2009. However, Missouri also hasn?t played a very tough schedule either. They beat up on what appears to be a very poor Illinois team to open the season then had to rally to beat Bowling Green at home. In their last outcome they beat Nevada 31-21 covering the 7 point spread. As mentioned earlier, Missouri has playmakers and speed that could stretch the Nebraska defense. They have also have had some success on the ground so they are not a one dimensional team. The biggest question mark heading in to this game is the Missouri defense. They have struggled against the pass giving up an average of 218 yards per game and also 134 yards a game on the ground. Nebraska is a team who can beat you running and throwing. A big key to this game will be how Missouri?s defense responds to a quality football team on both sides of the ball.
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