If you tuned in to see Michigan State get suffocated by Nebraska last week, you’ll probably equate this pick with being asked to run naked through a briar patch. But after Northwestern snapped an ugly five-game losing streak with Saturday’s 59-38 bombardment of Indiana, we think the Wildcats are poised to make a strong season-ending run.
Pat Fitzgerald’s felines need wins in three of their last four games to bag their 4th straight bowl appearance – and with home games versus Rice and Minnesota all but assuring two of those victories, NU will need to win here today or against Michigan State in the season finale to keep the streak alive.
Our tireless database says the purple people eaters have a good chance. Fitzgerald is a perfect 3-0 ATS when taking points on the road if his club resides under the .400 win percentage mark, winning two of those games outright – including a 21-17 victory at Iowa as a 20-point dog.
The ‘Cats are also 4-1 ATS in the second of back-to-back road games while Nebraska weighs in with a 0-4 ATS mark playing the second of consecutive homers.
Even worse for the Huskers, head coach Bo Pelini owns an awful 2-11 ATS log as double-digit home chalk off a SU win, including 0-5 ATS if the opponent shows up with a sub .500 record.
With No. 1 quarterback Dan Persa struggling through injuries all season, Fitzgerald has managed to create a two-headed QB tandem – pairing Kain Colter with Persa – that’s actually produced results on the scoreboard.
No doubt Nebraska will be looking for another stifling performance from its defense but we think the hungry Wildcats will bring enough offense to trap the corn boys in a back-and-forth shootout.
Our BSNblog cements it as the schizoid Huskers get caught looking ahead to next week’s showdown with Big Ten-leading Penn State.
Like gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello once sang, it’s time to “start wearing purple”!
