Nebraska welcomes Washington to Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, October 31, with kickoff set for 8:00 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network. The Cornhuskers are 7.5-point home favorites, while the total sits at 50.5, putting a spread of more than a touchdown in play for bettors. Can Washington challenge Nebraska on the road, or will the Huskers cover at home? Read on for our Nebraska vs. Washington picks and predictions, betting odds and best bets for Week 9.
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College Football Week 9 Bets & Picks: Nebraska vs. Washington
College football betting expert Scott Bogman will provide his top picks and predictions for every week of college football action. Let’s get ready for this weekend’s games with Bogman’s best college football bets for Week 9.
Nebraska vs. Washington
The Huskers' defense is likely to be the story of this game. Nebraska ranks fourth in defensive EPA per play and sixth in defensive success percentage in the Power 4, and Washington has struggled offensively in most games this season. Huskies starting QB Demond Williams left the Iowa game with a rib injury and missed the Purdue game two weeks ago. Elijah Brown replaced Williams and led the Huskies to 38 points and almost 500 yards against Purdue in their last game. Washington turned the ball over five times but still couldn't be stopped by a weak Boilermakers defense.
Nebraska hasn't allowed more than 23 points this season, including just 20 to Indiana and 17 to Oregon in its last two games. Nebraska shouldn't have issues slowing down the Huskies, and if the Huskers force turnovers the way Purdue did, Washington will not find the same success.
Nebraska is less efficient on offense than on defense but is still above average and better than Washington. The Huskers lean on the running game (29th, 194.3 YPG), wear down opposing defenses with the 16th-highest time of possession (32:42), and have failed to cover only as underdogs. Nebraska is 6-1 ATS this season and missed covering the 27.5-point spread against North Dakota by just the hook.
The public is likely on Washington here because Nebraska lost its last two games before the bye week, while the Huskies had an offensive explosion against Purdue. We show value on Nebraska at home, with Washington coming back down to earth in a double-digit road loss.
Pick: Nebraska -7.5
