San Jose State Spartans at Nebraska Cornhuskers

The San Jose Spartans (1-0 SU, 0-0 ATS) get the first serious test of their season on Saturday when they travel to Lincoln to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0 SU & ATS) in an inter-conference NCAA tilt that is scheduled to kick off at 12:30 PM ET at Memorial Stadium (artificial turf).

Saturday, September 6

BetUS NCAA Betting Odds: NEBRASKA -26

Here are some of the NCAA college football betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

* SJSU has covered six of its last eight games

* SJSU has played seven of its last nine games UNDER the total

* SJSU has lost six of its last seven road games SU

* SJSU has played six of its last seven road games UNDER the total

* NEB has covered three of its last 12 games

* NEB has won two of its last eight games SU

* NEB has covered two of its last seven home games

* NEB has won 12 of its last 16 home games SU

* NEB has played seven of its last ten home games OVER the total

When Nebraska's athletic director, Tom Osborne, went out and hired Bo Pelini as trhe team's head coach during the off-season, he was hoping the Huskers might acquire a tougher mindset on the defensive side of the ball. Well, the jury may still be out, but NU showed a bit of a snarl against Western Michigan, holding the Broncos to just eight net rushing yards and giving up over 200 yards passing to Tim Hiller in the second half, but not until they had already built up a 34-10 lead.

And San Jose State, though well-coached by Dick Tomey, does not possess the ground game that is going to help it establish a well-rounded offense. The Spartans gained only 42 yards rushing in a game where it had life-and-death against Cal-Davis before winning a 13-10 decision. The program has a ways to go right now.

Meanwhile, Joe Ganz, who threw 15 TD passes in five starts after replacing Sam Keller for Nebraska last year, tossed four more TD passes, and apparently Pelini is wisely going to let him air it out. And Marlon Lucky (43 yards in the opener) has yet to really get going. For a San Jose defense that allowed 4.6 yards per carry against Division I opponents last year, that will not be a welcome sight. The sense here is that Pelini is building confidence, and as such will not shy away from making "statements" while they have the opportunity to beat up on outmanned foes.

When venturing out of conference, SJSU was outscored by 33 points a game last season. With two of its starting offensive linemen out of this game, things don't look better. So we're not being so bold to lay the lumber with Nebraska, the 26-point favorite in the BetUS NCAA betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: NEBRASKA -26 **
(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

The 2008 NCAA college football betting season is here, and if you like to bet on college gridiron action, you are in the best possible place for online betting. The BetUS Sportsbook has college football odds up on a ton of games, totals and propositions, and you will also find future NCAA lines up to the BCS Championship as well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide you right through to the bowl games and beyond!

(Charles Jay of http://www.ebookies.com gives it more than the old college try as a contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)