Link: http://collegefootballnews.com/2016/oregon-nebraska-game-preview-fearless-prediction-line-tv
Oregon vs. Nebraska Game Preview & Fearless Prediction
by Pete Fiutak, CollegeFootballNews.com
The Huskers and Ducks have started out well each going 2-0, but now comes the breakthrough game for one of them.
Oregon (2-0) at Nebraska (2-0)
Saturday, September 17 | 3:30 p.m. (ET) | ABC
Why Oregon Will Win
The offense still works.
It might not be quite the high-octane point-per-minute fest it was a few years ago under Marcus Mariota, but it's not all that far off with Dakota Prukop stepping in and throwing well, the running game rolling without a problem, and the explosion coming back.
The problem is with timing and tempo -- they're not quite there yet -- but that seems like it's more of an early-season issue and not a big problem. Once Prukop gets in a little more work, this thing should be going at warp speed.
But is it ready now? Can the Oregon offense be dangerous enough to get past a suddenly-strong Husker defense?
Wyoming had its chances against Nebraska -- don't be fooled by the 52-17 final. The Huskers exploded in the fourth quarter, but they were helped a ton by mistake after mistake as Wyoming QB Josh Allen couldn't stop giving the ball away. Oregon lost a few fumbles early, but it's not going to make the massive errors to give Nebraska a whole slew of easy chances.
Royce Freeman is averaging over nine yards per carry so far, the line is doing a decent job of coming together -- it's the one big question mark other than Prukop coming into the season -- and overall, there haven't been too many concerns other than ........
Why Nebraska Will Win
.......the Oregon pass defense has been shockingly mediocre.
One of the key unnoticed aspects to Oregon's run to the national title game a few years ago was the play of a strong, aggressive defense. It's not in place so far this season.
Of course, everyone has to try bombing away to keep up the pace, but the Duck secondary hasn't been tight when the outcomes have been still in doubt, giving up over 300 yards to UC-Davis and struggling for a stretch against a mediocre Virginia attack.
This isn't a ball-control Nebraska offense, but it's been good so far at keeping drives alive and controlling the clock. As always, Oregon doesn't care about time of possession, looking to score as quickly as possible with an avalanche of points. However, Nebraska might have the offense to take the Ducks out of their game, and this year, if last week was any indication, it's got the firepower to keep up.
Just when the Nebraska offense started to struggle a bit against Wyoming, what did it do? Tommy Armstrong was fantastic, throwing for 412 yards and four scores including two to Jordan Westerkamp, who came up with a big-time scoring play to all but put the game away.
What's Going to Happen?
Expect a thriller.
This isn't the Nebraska team of last year. It's playing with more efficiency, effectiveness, and confidence with the offense not making big mistakes and the defense -- somewhat surprisingly -- holding up well on the defensive front.
Oregon hasn't looked the part yet of a Pac-12 killer in search of a playoff spot, but this could be the moment when it starts to pick up a bit more national love. Prukop will be fine, but this is Royce Freeman's day.
Nebraska bottled up Wyoming's Brian Hill, and the back seven has swarmed over the first two games to keep either of the Mountain West teams on the slate from breaking off anything too big, but Oregon's offense is about to work. The Huskers will play well, but Freeman will be that much better.
Prediction
Oregon 34, Nebraska 30
Spread
Nebraska is currently favored at home by 3 points
Oregon vs. Nebraska Game Preview & Fearless Prediction
by Pete Fiutak, CollegeFootballNews.com
The Huskers and Ducks have started out well each going 2-0, but now comes the breakthrough game for one of them.
Oregon (2-0) at Nebraska (2-0)
Saturday, September 17 | 3:30 p.m. (ET) | ABC
Why Oregon Will Win
The offense still works.
It might not be quite the high-octane point-per-minute fest it was a few years ago under Marcus Mariota, but it's not all that far off with Dakota Prukop stepping in and throwing well, the running game rolling without a problem, and the explosion coming back.
The problem is with timing and tempo -- they're not quite there yet -- but that seems like it's more of an early-season issue and not a big problem. Once Prukop gets in a little more work, this thing should be going at warp speed.
But is it ready now? Can the Oregon offense be dangerous enough to get past a suddenly-strong Husker defense?
Wyoming had its chances against Nebraska -- don't be fooled by the 52-17 final. The Huskers exploded in the fourth quarter, but they were helped a ton by mistake after mistake as Wyoming QB Josh Allen couldn't stop giving the ball away. Oregon lost a few fumbles early, but it's not going to make the massive errors to give Nebraska a whole slew of easy chances.
Royce Freeman is averaging over nine yards per carry so far, the line is doing a decent job of coming together -- it's the one big question mark other than Prukop coming into the season -- and overall, there haven't been too many concerns other than ........
Why Nebraska Will Win
.......the Oregon pass defense has been shockingly mediocre.
One of the key unnoticed aspects to Oregon's run to the national title game a few years ago was the play of a strong, aggressive defense. It's not in place so far this season.
Of course, everyone has to try bombing away to keep up the pace, but the Duck secondary hasn't been tight when the outcomes have been still in doubt, giving up over 300 yards to UC-Davis and struggling for a stretch against a mediocre Virginia attack.
This isn't a ball-control Nebraska offense, but it's been good so far at keeping drives alive and controlling the clock. As always, Oregon doesn't care about time of possession, looking to score as quickly as possible with an avalanche of points. However, Nebraska might have the offense to take the Ducks out of their game, and this year, if last week was any indication, it's got the firepower to keep up.
Just when the Nebraska offense started to struggle a bit against Wyoming, what did it do? Tommy Armstrong was fantastic, throwing for 412 yards and four scores including two to Jordan Westerkamp, who came up with a big-time scoring play to all but put the game away.
What's Going to Happen?
Expect a thriller.
This isn't the Nebraska team of last year. It's playing with more efficiency, effectiveness, and confidence with the offense not making big mistakes and the defense -- somewhat surprisingly -- holding up well on the defensive front.
Oregon hasn't looked the part yet of a Pac-12 killer in search of a playoff spot, but this could be the moment when it starts to pick up a bit more national love. Prukop will be fine, but this is Royce Freeman's day.
Nebraska bottled up Wyoming's Brian Hill, and the back seven has swarmed over the first two games to keep either of the Mountain West teams on the slate from breaking off anything too big, but Oregon's offense is about to work. The Huskers will play well, but Freeman will be that much better.
Prediction
Oregon 34, Nebraska 30
Spread
Nebraska is currently favored at home by 3 points
