This total has moved up with the public leaning towards the over. However, Minnesota has struggled on offense this season, only going over 30 points twice and one of them was against Northwestern State. The Cornhuskers defense has been vulnerable, and they’re 5-1 to the over on the season, but Minnesota’s may have rough patches offensively as they’ve had all season. The under is also 4-1 in their last five meetings.

Nebraska did not play their best game last Saturday in a road win against Maryland. It was their first true road game of the season, but the Cornhuskers prevailed thanks to a late touchdown. Expect a much more fluid game for the Cornhuskers and quarterback Dylan Raiola who threw three interceptions against the Terrapins. Lay the touchdown here with Nebraska.

Definite mistake by me not grabbing this Monday when Bruce Marshall got 9.5. I then got greedy and hoped for 10. Now 7 at many books. But I generally don't think about things involving the states of Nebraska or Minnesota that early in a given fall week unless it's an election year. I'm not sure it's going to matter, really, as I'll be moderately surprised if this ends by more than a TD margin either way. And I certainly think Minny -- "You goin' to the Gophers on Friday? Oh you betchya! You wouldn't happen to have an extra ticket? You kidin'!?" -- can win this outright. The Matt Rhule to Penn State distraction (that's happening) is probably not helping the Corns ...

Granted, Matt Rhule's team is 5-1, but vs. flawed opposition the past two weeks, the Huskers didn't manage a spread W even as they pulled out a couple of wins (especially harrowing at Maryland last week). The stop unit is a long way from the old Nebraska "Black Shirt" defenses, while protecting QB Dylan Raiola is a recurring issue, considering the 13 sacks allowed the past three games. The Huskers are also 0-4 vs. the line against Power 4 foes this season. Meanwhile, PJ Fleck has generally had Nebraska's number, and the Gophers are about where we expected them to be (4-2), with frosh QB Drake Lindsey flashing real upside at times. Does this matchup really scope out as a handy Huskers win? Play Minnesota