The Skulldog Show

The Background:

No doubt, these 2 teams (along with all of their fans) had this match-up circled on their calendar 13 months ago when the new Big 10 schedule came out. Nebraska vs Wisconsin. Holy smokes! The beginning of a new rivalry. Two powerhouse teams with a ton of history, about to be division-rivals. What do we call it? The Cornadger Bowl? I don’t know…maybe leave a few comments regarding how you deal with a badger and a cornhusker.

Anyway, let’s look at this game. The biggest hype of course will be the quarterbacks. Wisconsin’s Russel Wilson vs Nebraska’s Taylor Martinez.

Russel Wilson (serious NC State…what were you thinking letting this kid go?!?) has completed  76% of his passes with 11 TDs…crazy #s. Martinez, meanwhile, is at 50% with 650 yards in the air…but hurts you with 420 yards on the ground and 7 TDs…his #s are identical to their feature RB Burkhead (63 carries 420 yards 6.7 yards and 7 TDs)…FreAky!

Wisconsin has a 2 headed running back monster in Ball and White, along with a very effective Wisconsin offensive line (isn’t that line always good?).

The 2 headed monster in Ball and White along with the Wisconsin O line is tough, disciplined and effective (aren’t they always?).

Neither team really has a whole lot to hang their hat on so far this year. You’re not going to get a great read on games against Northern Illinois, South Dakota or Chattanooga. It will be the first real test for both teams.

20,000 Nebraska fans are expected for this matchup in Madison. They travel well. However, Camp Randall will be on FIRE and it is a very difficult place historically to be on the visiting-end of a night game in Wisconsin.

Nebraska is 3-0 against the spread as an underdog of 3.5 to 10 points.

How we see this playing out:

These teams are going to be geeked up for this game. There is a lot of pressure to perform and while The Skulldog Show thinks that Wisconsin will ride a big home field advantage, Nebraska has the offense to keep it in the game. Trying to contain Martinez is a tough task for anyone, even the Wisconsin D. Wilson will get his scores and this will likely turn into a shoot-out (see the over-under at 57). Hard to believe that this one doesn’t come down to a late play to win the game and perhaps even overtime, which would be fitting for this new rivalry that will be one for the ages. Nevertheless, if Wisconsin wins, they probably only win by a field goal or a touchdown. 10 points is just too much for a talented Nebraska team.

The pick:
Take Nebraska +10