The Nebraska football game against Penn State isn't about getting to a bowl. It's not about keeping the Huskers' playoff hopes alive. But that doesn't make Saturday night's game any less critical for Matt Rhule and his crew.
NU enters the game against the Nittany Lions as a rather surprising underdog, considering the Huskers are 7-3 and Penn State is 4-6 and playing without a full-time head coach. Rhule and his team want to show that they've really taken a step forward. Beating PSU in Happy Valley would go a long way towards accomplishing that.
There's also the fact that Rhule is meeting up with Penn State for the first time as Nebraska football head coach. It's not just about covering a large spread. It's about winning straight up and making sure the Huskers win more games in Year 3 than they did in Year 2.
Nebraska vs Penn State final odds
When the week began, the Huskers were 8.5-point underdogs. They haven't been that big a dog all season long. It was surprising it would come against a team with a losing record.
Granted, the Nittany Lions still have plenty of talent. However, the odds have shrunk a bit as the week has gone on. Nebraska is now a 7.5-point underdog with a total of 45.5 according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Nebraska football vs Penn State final prediction
PSU is coming off an emotional win last week over Michigan State. It also gave Indiana all it could handle. It's also still a team that has a ton of talent, especially at running back. That just happens to be the Huskers' Achilles heel this year.
Nebraska football: 20 Penn State: 24