AAA's 10* Afternoon *BYU/Nebraska* Opening Sat. BLOCKBUSTER!
(NCAAF) BYU vs. Nebraska, 09/05/2015 11:30 AM, Score: 33 - 28
Point Spread: -6.00 | -112.00 Nebraska (Home)
Result: Loss
This is a 10* BLOCKBUSTER on Nebraska.

Bo Pelini is out and Mike Riley is in, Nebraska needed to make some changes heading into 2015 and with Riley the team has that. Pelini would routinely achieve nine and ten win seasons, so despite having a lot to work with, Riley will definitely have his work cut out for him.

The Cornhuskers:

QB Tommy Armstrong Jr. returns and he'll be running Riley's pro-style offense, Armstrong is expected to be more of a pocket-passer this year, but is a legitimate dual threat after finishing as the team's second-leading rusher last season. Armstrong will be sharing the load with RB's Terrell Newby and Imani Cross, both who will see a lot of time in this game and throughout the season as they look to fill the void left by All-American Ameer Abudullah. All of these players benefit from playing in front of a solid offensive line which is built around LT Alex Lewis. Maliek Collins led the team in tackles for a loss last year and while there are a few holes to fill, the unit as a whole looks solid and seems ready to transition to new defensive coordinators Mark Banker's system without a hitch.

The Cougars:

BYU has a tough schedule, but will once again be led by superstar athlete Taysom Hill; last year the Cougars would open 4-0 and ranked No. 18 before QB Hill broke his leg vs. Utah State. After that tragedy the team would predictably lose four straight before then recovering to finish 8-5. Hill is a Heisman trophy candidate and is one of the nation's biggest dual threats. Jamaal Williams needs just 930 yards to become BYU's all-time leading rusher. The one weakness to the offensive unit is the depth on the line. The biggest weakness heading into the 2015 season will once again be on the defensive side of the ball, the Cougar's 55-48 double-OT loss to Memphis in the Miami Beach Bowl prompted coach Bronco Mendenhall to take over the defense again. Still, there are many holes to fill and big question marks in the secondary.

The bottom line:

Both teams will be hungry for a win, but Nebraska's non-conference schedule is crucial to its success this year with a game at Miami two weeks from now. We like the overall team depth that the HUSKERS bring to the table and can't see how BYU's defense will be able to slow down Armstrong and company, lay the short points.

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