Nebraska vs Cincinnati Prediction 8/28/2025 Today’s College Football Picks

The Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Cincinnati Bearcats meet in week 1 college football action from Geha Field At Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats prediction.

Nebraska Cornhuskers Team Preview

The Nebraska Cornhuskers come into the 2025 season looking to take another step forward after going 7-6 in 2024, including a 20-15 win over Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl, the Huskers first bowl game appearance since 2016. Dylan Raiola is poised for an improvement in 2025 despite a solid 2024 season where he threw for over 2,800 yards and 13 touchdowns but also had 11 interceptions. Jacory Barney is back at receiver for Raiola and Nebraska after leading the team with 55 catches last year while Dane Key transfers in from Kentucky after logging 126 receptions over the last three seasons. Emmett Johnson will be tasked with becoming the new lead back for the Cornhuskers after putting up almost 600 rushing yards and a touchdown last season. On defense, there will be a lot of retooling, but Dasan McCullough is hoping for a clean bill of health to lead the Huskers there while DaShon Singleton is back in Nebraska’s secondary after putting up 71 tackles last season.

Why the Nebraska Cornhuskers will win

• Nebraska has won each of its last six games against non-conference opponents.
• Cincinnati has lost each of its last five games.
• Cincinnati has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Nebraska has covered the spread in each of its last four games against non-conference opponents.

Cincinnati Bearcats Team Preview

The Cincinnati Bearcats come into the 2025 season hoping to rebound from a frustrating 2024 season where the Bearcats finished with an overall record of 5-7 including 3-6 in Big 12 conference play. Brendan Sorsby is back at QB after throwing for 2,800 yards and 18 touchdowns and also finishing second on Cincinnati in rushing and first in touchdowns rushing with nine. The receiving group for Sorsby is loaded with transfers but still talented nonetheless and Evan Pryor and Tawee Walker transfers in to give Cincinnati some punch out of the backfield. On defense, the Bearcats’ strength will be at linebacker with Jack Golday and Jack Dingle leading the charge while Dontay Corleone will be an animal on the defensive line.

Why the Cincinnati Bearcats will win

• Nebraska has lost four of its last five season openers.
• Cincinnati has won each of its last four Thursday games against non-conference opponents.
• Nebraska has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six season openers as a favorite.
• Cincinnati has covered the spread in four of its last five games against opponents from the Big Ten Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Seven of Nebraska’s last eight games against non-conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Seven of Cincinnati’s last eight games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues have gone UNDER the total points line.

Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats Prediction

I’m on Nebraska laying the points in this one. I just think that there’s optimism with Nebraska for a reason as the Cornhuskers are as loaded as they’ve been in recent memory for me. Cincinnati’s still a solid team and I think the Bearcats are going to take a step forward in 2025 and that likely includes a bowl game. However in game one, I still think that Nebraska just ends up being too much in what’s a bit of a coming out party for Dylan Raiola for the 2025 season. Give me Nebraska in this one laying the points.