Fresno St vs Nebraska – Preview and Prediction
NEBRASKA 28 FRESNO (62)
Implied Projected Score: Nebraska 45 Fresno St 17
MEGALOCKS LINE – Nebraska 28
The Game
Nebraska looks to get the 2016 off to good start as they face the Fresno St Bulldogs in their home opener as 4-TD favorites. Nothing other than a trip to the Big 10 Title game will satisfy the players, coaches or fans. Fresno St is coming off a tough 3-win season which is in sharp contrast to the three previous campaigns (26 total wins).
The Match-Up
Nebraska offense vs Fresno St defense
Huskers’ QB Tommy Armstrong is back for seemingly his 11th season at Nebraska and leads a potent offense into battle on Saturday. The injury and suspension list for this team is very confusing at first glance, but the key to remember is that the Fresno St defense was awful by most measures last season and is going to have a hard time stopping whatever Nebraska wants to do on offense. The Nebraska OL is a bit of a concern but this game should go pretty much to the script. Probably close to 500 yards offense and 40+ points.
Fresno St offense vs Nebraska defense
Redshirt freshman QB Chason Virgil had a bit of action last season before getting injured, and he has the tall task of leading the offense at Nebraska. The Bulldogs look to be very strong at WR in terms of speed and upside potential. We are not sure about the running game with the departure of last season’s leading rusher Marteze Waller and an offensive line that only has 2/5 starters back for 2016. We can see the Bulldogs having a decent day through the air even with an inexperienced QB. Just think they will be too one-dimensional to grind out a lot of long drives.
Nebraska did a great job vs the run last season (115 yards rushing per game, 3.8) but the entire DL is full of new starters this season. The LB group and corners look good. They will be without starting FS Nathan Gerry for this game. At some point their defense will get torched. Just not sure how often.
Tasty Tidbits
Nebraska will play this game with heavy hearts after the tragic passing of P Sam Foltz during the summer…Nebraska was 1-4 ATS as a home favorite under Mike Riley last season #smallsamplesize…. Fresno St has two punters and two PK listed on the depth chart this week …….could be a special teams fiasco in the making.
Summary
The line looks about right. Hard to make heads or tails of who is playing and who is suspended and who might be injured and suspended…….Gonna take a pass on this one.
Conclusion
No official play.
Lean: Nope.