Holiday Bowl Betting

No. 20 Arizona Wildcats (8-4) vs. No.22 Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-4)
Opening Line: Huskers +1.5 / Wildcats -1.5 O/U 40
Time: 8 PM EST Wednesday December 30, 2009 on ESPN

In a match up of a couple teams that just missed out in playing in a BCS bowl game the Nebraska Cornhuskers face the Arizona Wildcats. The Huskers lost to the Texas Longhorns on a last second field goal and the Wildcats lost to Oregon in double overtime and both losses cost these team a shot at playing in the Rose Bowl. The Wildcats come into this game after winning their last 2 while the Huskers lost their season finale after winning their previous 5.

This season the Wildcats were 6-5 ATS and the Huskers were 8-5 ATS.

Arizona was 1-1 against ranked teams this season and Nebraska was 2-2.

In their last game the Huskers lost to the Texas Longhorns 13-12 while the Wildcats beat USC 21-17.

Arizona has the nation's 40th ranked offense and they are led by QB Nick Foles (2,438 yds 19 TD 8 INT). WR Juron Criner (43 rec 580 yds 9 TD) is Foles' main target and he averaged an impressive 13.5 yards per reception this season. The Wildcats rushing offense ranks 47th in the nation led by the RB duo of Nic Grigsby and Keola Antolin, who have combined for 1,100 yards and 9 TD's this season. The Nebraska defense is legit, as they rank 9th in the nation only allowing an average of 284 yards per game. In their last 6 games the Huskers only gave up an average of 11 points per game. DT Ndamukong Suh, who had 82 tackles, 12 sacks and 23 tackles for loss this season, leads their D. The Wildcats will have to contain him and keep him off Foles. The Wildcats' offensive line was stellar this season, as they only allowed 11 sacks all season. If the Wildcats can protect Foles and move the chains they will be in great shape since the Nebraska offense is not a high-scoring one.

The Huskers only have the nation's 102nd ranked offense and they are led by QB Zac Lee (1,970 yds 13 TD 10 INT) and his two main targets of WR's Niles Paul and Curenski Gilleylen averaged 18.7 yards per reception this season. Nebraska' strength on offense is running the ball with RB Roy Helu Jr. (1,139 yds 9 TD). If Arizona can contain him they should win this game. The Arizona D is solid, as overall they rank 21st and rank 22nd against the run.

In 7 of Nebraska's last 9 games the total has gone Under and Arizona is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games.