+1 Dime Bonus play
Nebraska @ Missouri (8:00pm et)
[size=150:2g2jk7y5][color=#FF0000:2g2jk7y5][b:2g2jk7y5]Freddy Wills's Pick[/b:2g2jk7y5][/size:2g2jk7y5]
This game will be an interesting one to watch and many are making a lot out of the weather and the advantage Nebraska will obviously have in the running game if the weather pans out the way it's supposed to with rain at game time and throughout. However, I'm kind of on the other side of this and I see these two teams as more even than anything else. Sure Nebraska has the advantage in the running game, but what happens when they stack the box and force Zac Lee to beat them. Missouri's defense has been much better this year than last year, and Zac Lee has looked great, but let's keep in mind he faced Sun-Belt defenses which does not exactly impress me considering neither team was in the top 70 in defense against the pass. Lee's one test on the road he played awful against Virginia Tech he threw 11-30 with 136 pass yards and 0TD with 2 INTs. Lee is going to have to be able to move the ball to be effective and I don't see it happening on the road in what will be a more livelier environment than what he faced in VT because it's a Thursday night game and the game against VT was a day game. Despite the rain Missouri will still be able to move the ball enough through the air. I believe people over rate the rain in terms of passing, and it won't be down pouring the entire game. expect Blaine Gabbert Missouri's QB to have a big game without any mistakes as he has not given up a single INT all season long. Big advantage for Missouri when it comes to protecting the ball. Nebraska up front can get to the QB, as they were 14th in the nation last year in sacks, but they will pay as they were 89th in the nation in pass defense last year too. Their pass defense looks good and that's the reason why this team is favorites here tonight in my opinion that along with their rushing offense from Helu who is going to start despite having the flu earlier in the week. Nebraska has not faced anyone with any type of pass offense, and Virginia Tech who were ranked 103rd through for 192 yards and a TD. Nebraska is prone to giving up the big play while Missouri fit that boat too in the past they are limiting the big plays to just 2 and they lead the Big 12 as the only team to not allow a run more than 20 yards. This is big considering they are going to get a heavy dose of the running game with Helu. Missouri LB can tackle and I think he'll be wrapped up all day long. Missouri's defense gave up just two passing plays over 25 yards which they gave up 6 in their first game of 08 alone. One of those passes game on a 55 yard halfback pass. Special Teams will also be the key here and Missouri has lacked any kind of a return game. Both teams have excellent kickers and punters. Another key ingredient for the battle of field position in what's going to be s surprisingly low scoring game which is why I like the under as a bonus here. Final advantage Missouri has an extra day as they played on Friday night last week. Also I give coach Pinkel the coaching advantage over Pelini as he's been doing this longer.
