Nebraska and Missouri hunker down

This increasingly bitter rivalry has been played every since 1922. Missouri has outscored Nebraska 92-23 the last two years and is going for its first three game sweep in 40 years. Coach Bo Pelini claims to not care about last season’s 52-17 Missouri victory as they prepare for the road trip to Columbia.

“It really doesn’t matter what happened last year,” said the second-year Nebraska coach. “It’s a different point in time, different scenario, different players. Not really an issue with me.

“We got out-executed last year. We just got beat. What happened last year isn’t going to have any correlation on what happens this year, unless we let it.”

Nebraska (3-1, 4-0 ATS) showed no ill-effects from last minute loss to Virginia Tech 16-15 and laid out Louisiana-Lafayette 55-0 as 30-point favorites in last contest. This will be the Big 12 opener for both teams and coach Pelini knows what to do.

“Now, the season starts. Right now,” Pelini said. “That’s the way we look at it. It’s time to put the foot on the gas pedal and go, because we have a long season ahead of us and a lot of challenges coming up.”

Quarterback Zac Lee has only had one poor performance and that came against the relentless defensive pressure of Virginia Tech, which Missouri doesn’t seem capable of producing. The Cornhuskers are 3-8 ATS as Big 12 road favorites.

Missouri (4-0, 2-1 ATS) stayed unbeaten, winning and covering their first true road of the season at Nevada 31-21. The Tigers have to be ready to play, but can’t go emotionally overboard, playing at Oklahoma State next, followed by the Sooners arriving in Columbia. Sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert threw for 414 yards and three touchdowns on 25-of-40 passing in Reno. Gabbert has some of the best targets to throw to in the Big 12 like Danario Alexander and had five pass plays of 30 or more yards in last outing.

Missouri still has things to work on, since the running game stalled against Nevada (78 yards) and they allowed over 200 yards on the ground. Missouri is 17-5 ATS in home games after gaining 100 or less rushing yards last game.

This will be the Tigers second underdog role of the season, with Bookmaker.com having them catching 3.5-points with total of 51.

“We’re going in as underdogs this year,” Missouri tailback Derrick Washington said. “A lot of people didn’t think we’d be 4-0 coming into this game. Everybody’s doubting us.”

The Tigers have won 23 of last 27 contests (15-11-1 ATS) at Memorial Stadium and will need Gabbert to have big game and play mistake free for nation’s No. 10 pass offense at 310 yards per game. Coach Gary Pinkel’s team isn’t anything special defensively; however they have been much improved over a year ago and are 8-2 ATS at Faurot Field against opponent with revenge.

Coach Pelini’s influence is being found with the Huskers first in scoring defense (7 PPG) in the country and 21st in total defense. Be sure to watch nose tackle Ndamukong Suh, he’s a beast in the middle. Nebraska will try to run the ball with talented junior Roy Helu, which should open up passing lanes for Lee. Numbers don’t favor the “Children of the Corn” (Rece Davis speak), who are 12-30 ATS in road games off a home win by 17 points or more and 1-14 SU (4-10-1 ATS) as visitors against ranked opponent.

It’s a special start time for Thursday college football on ESPN at 9 Eastern and the home team is 6-1 ATS since 2002.