The Nebraska Huskers are preparing for their home opener this Saturday as big favorites. According to online oddsmakers, the Nebraska team is a clear contender to win its second game of the season against the Akron Zips, a MAC conference rival.
Betting Lines Indicate a Lopsided Matchup
The opening betting lines for Saturday night’s contest, which starts at 6:30 p.m. CT, place Nebraska as a 33-point favorite. The point total for the game is set at 48. This wide margin reflects the start of the season for both teams: Nebraska comes in with a 1-0 record, while Akron is looking for its first win with a 0-1 record.
Contrasting Team Performances
The Nebraska team is coming off a close 20-17 victory over Cincinnati. In that game, quarterback Dylan Raiola threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Emmett Johnson ran for over 100 yards. The win was sealed with a crucial late-game interception by Malcolm Hartzog.
For their part, Akron arrives in Lincoln without having scored points in their 10-0 loss to Wyoming, a game in which their quarterback Ben Finley threw for 139 yards and one interception.
This will be only the second meeting between Nebraska and Akron in history. The only time they faced each other was in 1997, with a convincing 59-14 win for Nebraska. The game that was scheduled for 2018 was canceled due to thunderstorms. Saturday’s matchup will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.