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Nebraska Football Favored by a Touchdown Over Rutgers in Early Betting Lines

The Huskers have now been favored in each of their first six games, and they have covered the spread in four of their five contests. Nebraska returns to Memorial Stadium to battle the undefeated Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Saturday.

Austin Jacobsen

Sep 28, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) points at the line of scrimmage before the snap against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium.
Sep 28, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) points at the line of scrimmage before the snap against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. / Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
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For the sixth time this season, Nebraska football has been set as an early favorite by sports bettors.

Early betting lines posted Sunday have Nebraska listed as a 6-point or 6½-point favorite for its home matchup Saturday against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The Huskers have been favorites in each of their first six contests this season.

Nebraska (4-1, 1-1 B1G) is coming off a 28-10 victory in its first road game of the season, taking down Purdue after a sluggish first half. The Huskers were unable to score, tied with the Boilermakers 0-0 heading into halftime. Despite the slow start, NU covered the early-line spread of nine points and the final spread of 10 points.

Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) is tackled by Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Malcolm Hartzog
Sep 28, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) is tackled by Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Malcolm Hartzog Jr. (7) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. / Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

The Huskers and Boilermakers failed to cover the over/under in the contest, as the early line was set at 50½ points. It is the first time in 2024 that Nebraska and its opponent were unable to cover the total points scored. The Nebraska-Rutgers over/under point total for Saturday is set at 43½ points.

The Huskers and Scarlet Knights were each receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll Top 25 entering last week, as both teams exited their conference game with a victory. Rutgers (4-0, 1-0 B1G) handled Big Ten newcomer Washington 21-18 on Friday night, giving the Scarlet Knights back-to-back signature three-point wins in the early stretch.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) carries the ball as Washington Huskies pursue
Sep 27, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) carries the ball as Washington Huskies linebacker Carson Bruener (42) pursues during the first half at SHI Stadium. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Nebraska was receiving some Associated Press Top 25 votes last week after being ranked before the Huskers' overtime loss to Illinois in week five.

The Huskers have been a solid betting favorite this season, covering the spread in four of their first five games while helping to knock down the over/under in each game except for the Purdue matchup. It is the first time this season that Nebraska has not been favored by seven points or more.

Nebraska and Rutgers will battle Saturday in Lincoln at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. CDT with television coverage on FS1.

MORE: Analytics Review: Nebraska Football at Purdue

MORE: Big Ten Football Week 5 Capsules

MORE: Penalties, Punts and Pitiful Placekicking Proceed the Huskers Pounding Purdue with Proficient Production

MORE: Tad Stryker: Ground Game Grit

MORE: I-80 Club After Dark: Nebraska is 4-1 After a 28-10 Win Over Purdue

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Austin Jacobsen
AUSTIN JACOBSEN

Austin Jacobsen is a radio broadcaster and former Sports Director in Central Nebraska. He has seen the Cornhusker state from all corners; growing up in the Panhandle, completing his college degree in Kearney, working in the rural Sandhills, and now residing in Omaha. Austin is a statewide, regional, and national radio award winner and can usually be found at a high school football field on Friday nights and tuning in to the Huskers wherever they travel. If he is not on the road, Austin enjoys movie dates with his girlfriend and their dog, Ava.

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