Although a lot of the premier college football programs do not get started until Labor Day Weekend, Week 0 should absolutely not be overlooked.
Week 0 is slated to get the 2022 season underway with 11 FBS games. Yes, I know, that may sound like an insignificant slate for college football, but it does present tremendous value in one specific game. Before we dig into the game, be sure to check out OddsShopper all season to find the best lines on college football.
The Northwestern Wildcats and Nebraska Cornhuskers are starting in style with a game slated to take place in Dublin, Ireland. Both teams are coming off abysmal campaigns last season where they both finished 3-9 overall and 1-8 in conference.
However, both teams have reason for excitement.
For Nebraska, that starts with transfer quarterback. Former Texas signal caller Casey Thompson has joined the Cornhuskers in what should become a new era under head coach Scott Frost. The 2021 season saw Nebraska do one of the more unthinkable things I have seen in recent memory. Their 3-9 record actually resulted in a +63-point differential where they had wins of 49, 45, and 25 points and all nine defeats resulted in single digit losses.
Frost has revamped not only his coaching room with new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, but also various position groups on his team through the transfer portal. With a new quarterback and promising additions along the defensive line, the Cornhuskers are looking to turn the page on what was a season of disappointment in 2021.
Meanwhile, Northwestern feels confident that it can to get back to 2020 Wildcat form as Big Ten West and Citrus Bowl champions with a win over Auburn to cap a tremendous season in Evanston. After admitting to 2021 being a rebuilding year, the Wildcats and head coach Pat Fitzgerald are looking to get back on track and propel themselves back into the conversation in the Big Ten West.
With a quarterback carousel that led the team to becoming a one-dimensional offense, the Wildcats are looking to lean on South Carolina transfer Ryan Hilinski to take the reins and win football games the way Northwestern wins football games, by doing just enough offensively and letting the defense dominate. The issue with that? Northwestern gave up an average of 29 points per game which included Nebraska putting up 56 points and 664 yards in 2021. To give them the benefit of the doubt, they were installing a new system and now believe they have more suitable players for that system heading into this season. Although losing All-American safety Brandon Joseph to Notre Dame hurts, expect Jim O’Neil and his defense to be slightly improved in 2022.
Nebraska vs. Northwestern Best Bet
The spread for the game is currently sitting at Nebraska -11 (shop best lines here) while the game holds a total hovering right around 51.5. Although the trip to Dublin can impact teams in different ways, I fully expect both teams to be ready to go.
Nebraska is looking to come into this season and prove that it is the blue blood Nebraska Cornhuskers of old and I truly believe that 3-9 record does not tell the full story of who they were last year. With a new energy — and most importantly a new offensive scheme — look for the Cornhuskers to come out and put up points early and often on this Northwestern team who were 3-9 ATS last season.
After being 7-5 ATS a season ago and making significant upgrades to their team, I am more than happy to back the Cornhuskers in this spot with a less than two-touchdown spread to a team who may not be ready to compete just yet in Northwestern. With a new season on the horizon, feel confident in Nebraska exercising demons of 2021 and getting a much-deserved win to start the 2022 campaign.
Official Play: Nebraska Cornhuskers -11 (-110)
