Cornhuskers vs. Buckeyes Total Pick | Feb 29, 2024

Nebraska Cornhuskers (20-8 SU, 18-9-1 ATS) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (16-12 SU, 11-17 ATS)

When: Thursday, February 29th, 6:30 PM (ET)

Where: Value City Arena, OH, Columbus

TV: FS1

Point Spread: NEBR +3.5/OHIOST -3.5

Total: 144.5

Money Line: Nebraska Cornhuskers +129/-156

Notable Injuries

Cornhuskers

• Jarron Coleman (Out) Undisclosed
• Ahron Ulis (Out) Suspension
• Ramel Lloyd Jr. (Out) Knee
• Blaise Keita (Out) Ankle
• Eli Rice (Out) Ankle
• Matar Diop (Questionable) Undisclosed

Buckeyes

• Jamison Battle (Questionable) Undisclosed
• Owen Spencer (Out) Undisclosed

Recent Form

Nebraska comes into this game as the underdog, a role they are 4-7 in this season. On the road, the Cornhuskers have gone just 3-7, compared to a stellar 17-1 at home. Their average scoring margin is -3.5 on the road compared to +13.8 at home.

Over their last 10 road games, Nebraska has gone 3-7, including a 1-4 mark over their last five. They will look to extend their four-game win streak, which includes a 73-55 win over Minnesota in their last game.

Today’s over/under line of 144.5 is lower than the average over/under line in Nebraska’s games this year (147.4), and the over/under record in their games this year is 18-10. Over their last three games, the average scoring total is 133 points, and their OU record over their last 10 games is 6-4.

Nebraska has an ATS record of 18-9-1 this season and is 4-6 vs. the spread on the road. As the underdog, the Cornhuskers are 5-6 vs. the spread this year and have gone 2-3 on the road vs. the spread in their last 5 games.

Ohio State has been a much better team at home this season, going 12-4 compared to 4-8 on the road. They are currently on a two-game win streak at home, and over their last 10 games at home, they have gone 7-3.

Overall, the Buckeyes are 16-12 this season, including a 6-11 record in Big Ten play. They have been the favorite in 18 games, going 13-5 in those matchups.

This season, the over/under record for Ohio State games is 15-13, and the average over/under line in their games is 143.3. So far, 13 of their games have finished with more points than today’s over/under line of 144.5. Over their last three games, the average scoring total is 141 points, and their OU record during this stretch is 1-2.

As the favorite this season, Ohio State has gone just 6-12 vs. the spread. At home, their ATS record is 6-10. Over their last 10 games as the favorite, the Buckeyes are 4-6 vs. the spread.

Analysis

In their recent matchup, the Nebraska offense ended with 73 points against Minnesota. They finished with an overall field goal percentage of 38.7% and made 9 threes. The Nebraska offense has been looking to get up shots from outside so far this season, averaging 26.1 three-point attempts per contest. Overall, they have connected on 36% of their looks from outside this season.

Currently, the Cornhuskers’ defense holds the 106th rank in the nation, allowing 69.5 points per game. The Nebraska defense is coming off a game in which they gave up a total of 55 points and allowed Minnesota to connect on 9 threes.

Coming off their recent game, the Ohio State offense tallied 60 points in a matchup against Michigan State. Their field goal percentage for the game was 37.9%, and they made 3 threes. Leading Ohio State in scoring vs. Michigan State was Devin Royal with his 14 points. Roddy Gayle Jr. also added 12 points for the Buckeyes.

Currently, the Buckeyes’ defense holds the 112th rank in the nation, allowing 69.9 points per game. So far, the Ohio State defense is giving up an average of 9.3 offensive rebounds per game and are turning teams over 9.6 times per game (391st).

Betting Trends

• Nebraska has a 1-2 record in their last three road games. In this stretch, they averaged 79 points per game while allowing 79. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
• Ohio State has a 1-4 record in their last five home games. In this stretch, they averaged 65 points per game while allowing 73. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-2.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, Nebraska has an ATS mark of 5-5 while going 4-6 straight up.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the favorite, Ohio State has an ATS mark of 4-6 while going 6-4 straight up.

Rich Crew’s Total Pick

Take the Under 144.5