Penn State Football: Week 9 prediction, Big Ten picks ATS

Rutgers +6.5 vs Nebraska

This is a Friday night affair in New Jersey, as Rutgers looks to put a bow on what was a very successful season first season for head coach Greg Schiano. The Scarlet Knights are currently 3-5 after not having won a conference game since Nov. 4th, 2017.

At this point in a rather weird season, you have to take into account where a teams motivation levels may be, and for Rutgers you have to think they will be fired up to play this game in prime time and end the season on a high note. On the other hand, the Huskers(2-5) making their longest road trip of the year to Piscataway on a Friday night may not be as excited to be there.

Nebraska has lost three of their last four games, coming off a loss to Minnesota in which quarterback Adrian Martinez only threw for 111 yards and led the team in rushing, as a lack of true lead back has plagued the Huskers all season. Nebraska’s 308 total yards of offense against a Gophers defense that is 431 yards a game is not going to get it done against the Scarlet Knights.

Schiano’s squad averages 27 points per game, and should be able to get running back Isaih Pacheco going on the ground against a Nebraska defense that allows 175 rushing yards per game.

This feels like a good spot for Rutgers and they should be the more motivated side in this one, take the points and even sprinkle the money line in this one. Rutgers wins 27-24.

The Pick: Rutgers +6.5