Football Odds & Picks – #7 Nebraska Visiting Iowa State

If there’s any team overachieving beyond their means, it’s the No.7 Nebraska Cornhuskers, who are pegged as -18.0 point favorites in college football odds this weekend. While the win should be a piece of cake for the Huskers, Iowa State has been a cagey spread busting team and are worth a look in the sportsbook as a cover team.

Quarterback Taylor Martinez has made his mark this season as a combination passing and rushing threat, but a sprained ankle has slowed his progress down on the ground. I have bad feelings about Martinez forced only to throw, though a great performance against Oklahoma State has most thinking otherwise.

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Martinez ripped the Cowboys apart with 23-of-35 completions for 323 yards and 5 touchdowns, while he also added 126 rushing yards.

While Martinez isn’t the only weapon that Nebraska has against the football odds and Iowa State this weekend, he’s certainly the most important. If he can’t bail himself out of bad passing situations with his feet, he might not be as effective overall.

#7 Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-1) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (5-4)

Saturday, November 6th — Jack Trice Stadium – 3:30pm EST

NCAA Football Betting Line:

Nebraska -18.0 (58.0)

Iowa State is obviously not a great defensive team, but the ability to track Martinez makes this an easier matchup for them. While going 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home, they’re also 1-4 SU in their past 5 games against Nebraska.

Over the long haul, they’ve been fairly miserable against the Huskers. The Cyclones are just 4-9 ATS when playing Nebraska.

At home, they’re just 2-4 SU and ATS when hosting the Cornhuskers as well.

On top of that, Nebraska is undefeated in its last 5 games on the road and even though they have Martinez on a somewhat gimpy ankle, they’re still a logical bet to make against the football odds.

Part of the reason for that is tailback Roy Helu Jr., who had a breakout game with 307 rushing yards along with 3 touchdowns against Missouri last weekend.

Helu’s performance and size (6-foot-0, 220 pounds) makes him a very tough runner to bring down and Iowa State’s difficulties in containing the run game are apparent.

Still, if they have to focus solely on Helu and manage their pass coverage in a sparse man-zone, their chances of slowing this game down and covering the football odds is pretty darn good.

While I think Nebraska is a good team, I’m not 100% sold on them without a fully healthy Martinez. Iowa State is a strong cover team at home where they’re 3-1 ATS.

Granted, the strength of the competition hasn’t been bewildering, but Iowa State is one of those teams you can’t gamble against in the football odds when they’re at Jack Trice.

Furious Football Odds & Pick – Iowa State +18.0 (UNDER)

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