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Nebraska Football Opens as Massive Underdog Against Ohio State

After a disappointing showing in their last Big Ten road matchup at then-No. 16 Indiana, the Huskers opened as over three-score underdogs for their test Saturday at No. 4 Ohio State. It is the largest spread for or against Nebraska this season.

Austin Jacobsen

Sep 28, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Dante Dowdell (23) jumps over Purdue Boilermakers linebacker Kydran Jenkins (4) for a touchdown during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium.
Sep 28, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Dante Dowdell (23) jumps over Purdue Boilermakers linebacker Kydran Jenkins (4) for a touchdown during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. / Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
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Nebraska football's sour taste from their trip to Bloomington will continue to worsen after seeing the opening betting lines for their Saturday matchup.

The Huskers (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) fell to No. 13 Indiana 56-7 on the road, giving bettors little faith in the Big Red's next trip into Big Ten Country. Nebraska is listed as a 20½-point underdog across most sports books to open this week's college football betting lines.

The No. 4 Buckeyes (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) are coming off a bye week and their lone loss to now-No. 1 Oregon 32-31 in Eugene. Ohio State's three-score betting advantage peaks as high as 23½ points by the FanDuel sportsbook, while the Vegas Insider has the Buckeyes as 20½-point favorites at home. The preseason betting line had Ohio State as 25½-point favorites.

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) slides on the field as the clock runs out
Oct 12, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) slides on the field as the clock runs out against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

The over/under totals are set at 46½ to 48½ points. Nebraska is averaging 23½ points per game while Ohio State scores 43½ points per contest, good for firth in the country.

It is the second time Nebraska has been listed as an underdog this season, beginning last week as 6½-point underdogs to Indiana prior to falling by 49 points on the road. The Huskers have covered the spread in five of their seven games by early lines, with the exceptions being the Indiana and Illinois losses.

Ohio State has been listed as double-digit favorites in all of its games except the loss to Oregon. The Buckeyes have also covered the spread in all their contest except their loss in Eugene.

Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Isaiah Neyor (18) runs after a catch against Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back
Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Isaiah Neyor (18) runs after a catch against Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Matthew Bailey (7) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Nebraska and its opponents have failed to cover the over in their contests twice this season, including the Huskers' wins at Purdue and against Rutgers.

The Huskers and Buckeyes await another Big Noon Kickoff matchup with kickoff at 11 a.m. CDT on Saturday and television coverage on FOX.

MORE: The Turning Point: Nebraska at No. 16 Indiana

MORE: NCAA Volleyball Selection Committee Unveils Midseason Top 16: Nebraska No. 1

MORE: Husker Doc Talk: A Major Wake-up Call for Nebraska Football

MORE: Nebraska Football Receives Single Vote in Coaches, AP Polls

MORE: Huskers Hapless, Hammered, Humbled and Humiliated in a Hoosier Horror show

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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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