The Nebraska Cornhuskers take on the Cincinnati Bearcats at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, Aug. 28. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Nebraska is favored by 6.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -250. Cincinnati, meanwhile, comes in at +205 to pull off the upset. The total is set at 51.5 points (-115o / -105u).
Here’s my Nebraska vs. Cincinnati prediction and college football picks for Thursday, August 28.
Nebraska vs Cincinnati Prediction
- Nebraska vs. Cincinnati Pick: Cincinnati +6.5 · Under 52 or Better
My Cincinnati vs. Nebraska best bet is on the Bearcats to cover the spread and both teams to go under the total. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Nebraska vs Cincinnati Odds
| Nebraska Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -115 | 51.5 -115o / -105u | -250 |
| Cincinnati Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -105 | 51.5 -115o / -105u | +205 |
- Nebraska vs Cincinnati point spread: Nebraska -6.5 (-115), Cincinnati +6.5 (-105)
- Nebraska vs Cincinnati over/under: 51.5 (-115o / -105u)
- Nebraska vs Cincinnati moneyline: Nebraska -250, Cincinnati +205
Nebraska vs Cincinnati College Football Betting Preview
Nebraska Cornhuskers Betting Preview: A Trip to Arrowhead
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola will start Chapter 2 of his collegiate career after a successful freshman season.
The highly-touted recruit ended the season with a 17:12 big-time throw to turnover-worthy play ratio and an outstanding mistake rate of 2.5% for a true freshman.
New offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen will add flash to a once-predictable Cornhusker scheme, adding a flavor of tempo and spread in the Air Raid.
Nebraska will run plenty of mesh RPO with running back Emmett Johnson after the junior averaged 3.3 yards after first contact and forced 30 missed tackles a season ago.
Offense is going to be fun to watch.. 👀
• QB Dylan Raiola
• RB Emmett Johnson
• TE Heinrich Haarberg
• WR Jacory Barney Jr. pic.twitter.com/EnXX6AS5wK— Blackshirts (@blvckshirts) May 12, 2025
The big piece acquired from the transfer portal came in the form of former Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key. The senior busted out the downfield explosives in 2024 with a 2.5 yards per route run mark on top of an average depth of target of 13.9 yards.
The offensive line brings a wealth of experience back for Raiola's protection but must improve on a pass-blocking grade of 60th, per PFF.
On the other side of the ball, secondary coach John Butler was elevated to defensive coordinator after last season, earning a promotion despite a poor ranking in Defensive Pass EPA.
Nebraska fell to 117th in Defensive Passing Downs EPA and now fields a secondary full of transfers. Butler has promised to have a more aggressive style with blitz after the Huskers finished 25th in Havoc.
If the experienced defensive line can keep Nebraska in the top 20 in Quality Drives allowed and Finishing Drives allowed, opponents will continue to send games under the total.
Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Preview: New Faces in Cincy
Brendan Sorsby must improve in a number of areas after finishing his first season as Cincinnati's starting quarterback with a 9:13 big-time throw to turnover-worthy play rate.
In fact, Sorsby completed just one big-time throw over the final six games of last season.
The weapons have changed on the outside for the 2025 season, with portal additions at wide receiver in Texas A&M's Cyrus Allen, Lindenwood's Jeff Caldwell and Colorado State's Caleb Goodie.
While Joe Royer is one of the best tight ends in the Big 12, Caldwell has generated the most buzz out of fall camp.
The offensive line is filled with transfers, potentially requiring a stable of running backs to create highlight yards. Tawee Walker joins after two FBS stops at Oklahoma and Wisconsin, but a career mark of less than three yards after first contact shows that explosives could be rare for Cincinnati on the ground.
The return of the "Godfather" in nose tackle Dontay Corleone brings a defensive captain back to the Bearcats defense on and off the field.
The senior generated 27 pressures from the interior and has a three-year total of 61 stops at Cincinnati, one of the best marks of any nose tackle in the Big 12.
Cornerback Matthew McDoom transfers in from Coastal Carolina with an impressive resume, amassing 17 pass breakups in the past two seasons. The All-Sun Belt corner shut down wide receivers in conference play and will help Cincinnati improve from a rank of 72nd in contested catch created.
Nebraska vs Cincinnati Pick, Betting Analysis
Cincinnati's defense may neutralize the new uptempo Air Raid from Holgorsen and Raiola.
The pressure from an experienced defensive line and an upgrade at cornerback in McDoom will limit methodical drives for the Cornhuskers.
Holgorsen must improve an offense that finished 114th in Finishing Drives, as Nebraska struggled to score touchdowns on possessions that crossed the 40-yard line.
Sorsby had the same issue in head coach Scott Satterfield's offense last year, as the Bearcats finished 118th in Finishing Drives.
New pieces arrive on the outside at receiver, but finding a rhythm and increasing the explosive play rate from last year could be a challenge for Cincinnati in Arrowhead Stadium.
Action Network's Betting Power Ratings make this game closer to a field goal at a neutral site.
While Cornhusker fans are sure to hit Interstate 29 and show up in droves, look for Cincinnati's improvement in the secondary to play a part in the side and total.
Pick: Cincinnati +6.5 · Under 52 or Better
