Football expert Phil Steele is the owner and publisher of Phil Steele’s College Football Preview, regarded as the college football bible. Get in-depth coverage of college and pro football 24/7/365 at PhilSteele.com and follow him on Twitter @philsteele042.
Nebraska (-10¹/₂) over MINNESOTA: This is a classic mismatch, as Nebraska will dominate on both lines of scrimmage. The Huskers’ No. 10 rush attack is averaging 285 yards per game and 5.5 yards per carry, while the offensive line has allowed the fewest sacks in the nation. The Huskers face a Gophers defensive line that has yet to face a top-40 rush attack, but still has allowed 246 yards per game and 5.5 yards per carry while also failing to record a sack last game versus the best rushing team they have faced (No. 41 Iowa). When Minnesota runs the ball in conference action, it is averaging 114 yards per game and only 2.9 yards per carry while allowing eight sacks in only 59 pass attempts (13.6 percent). Nebraska’s defensive line is allowing only 3.1 yards per carry in conference play and earning four sacks per game.
VIRGINIA TECH (-13¹/₂) over Duke: How good is Virginia Tech’s defense? If you go to the Hokies’ team page at Philsteele.com, and look at their defense versus foes’ offensive ranks, you will see they have not only held every opponent under their season average, but have done so by 183 yards per game. Tech has kept four opponents to season lows and in its last game, versus Pittsburgh, held the Panthers to only 210 yards and 11 first downs. Duke has a balanced offense with a 55/45 run/pass ratio, so the Blue Devils can usually expose a weakness on its opponent’s defense, but Tech is the No. 1 pass efficiency defense and No. 2 in the country in yards per carry allowed.
LAST WEEK (NCAA): 2-0
SEASON: 7-8-1