Nebraska vs Ohio State picks - October 26

This week, the Nebraska Cornhuskers travel to Ohio Stadium to face off against the #4 Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, October 26, with a noon ET kickoff on FOX. Nebraska (5-2) is fresh off a devastating 56-7 loss to Indiana, while Ohio State (5-1) returns from a bye, eager to avenge their recent defeat to No. 1 Oregon in a close 32-31 game. Nebraska’s young, highly-touted freshman quarterback, Dylan Raiola, will face one of the nation's most relentless pass rushes in this Big Ten showdown.

Predictions

Pick #1 - Ohio State Buckeyes -25.5 over Nebraska Cornhuskers (-110)

Pick #2 - Under 48.5 (-110)

Pick #3 - Quinshon Judkins Over 65.5 Rushing Yards (-115)

PICK #1: Ohio State -25.5 over Nebraska (-110)

Ohio State enters this matchup with a chip on their shoulder, having dropped a tight contest to Oregon before heading into their bye week. That loss exposed some gaps in the Buckeyes’ defense, particularly their ability to finish off pass rushes, which allowed Oregon’s veteran quarterback Dillon Gabriel to pick apart the secondary. However, against a Nebraska team led by freshman QB Dylan Raiola, Ohio State’s defense is poised for a dominant performance. Raiola struggled mightily against Indiana, throwing three interceptions in a lopsided loss, and will now face a pass rush that ranks third in PFF’s pass-rushing grade.

Nebraska’s offensive struggles, especially in the run game, play right into Ohio State’s strengths. With Nebraska’s leading rusher ranking 19th in the Big Ten, their one-dimensional offense will struggle to put points on the board, especially with a freshman QB under pressure. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will have ample opportunity to exploit Raiola’s inexperience and force him into making mistakes. Ohio State, with its explosive offense and lockdown defense, should cover the 25.5-point spread.

PICK #2: Under 48.5 (-110)

While Ohio State’s offense is capable of putting up points in a hurry, there are several factors that lean us toward the under in this game. The Buckeyes will be missing their starting left tackle, Josh Simmons, which could hinder their ability to push the ball downfield. Quarterback Will Howard may need to rely more on quick passes to Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith, which could lead to a more methodical offensive approach.

On the other side, Nebraska’s offense is unlikely to contribute much to the total score. The Cornhuskers have been inefficient in scoring situations, ranking 66th in predicted points added (PPA) since Week 4, and have struggled to put up points in the red zone. They’ve averaged just 2.75 points per scoring opportunity, and that inefficiency should continue against a Buckeyes defense that allows just 2.12 points per opponent’s scoring chance. Ohio State will likely dominate on both sides of the ball, but Nebraska’s inability to score makes the under a solid bet.

PICK #3: Quinshon Judkins Over 65.5 Rushing Yards (-115)

After a lackluster performance against Oregon where he rushed for just 23 yards on 11 carries, Quinshon Judkins will be eager to bounce back in this game. Nebraska’s run defense has been exposed in recent weeks, giving up 215 yards and five touchdowns on the ground to Indiana. With a bye week to reset and game-plan, Ohio State’s offense will likely rely heavily on their talented backfield, featuring Judkins and Treyveon Henderson, to control the pace of the game.

Judkins’ ability to break off big runs and wear down opposing defenses will be a key factor in Ohio State’s offensive game plan. Nebraska’s inability to stop the run, coupled with Judkins’ elite talent, makes his over on rushing yards a quality play in this matchup. Expect Ohio State to establish the run early and often, giving Judkins plenty of opportunities to exceed his rushing yardage total.