A team from the Big Ten and the Big 12 meet at a neutral location to kick off their 2025 College Football season. Just a short 25 minute drive from my own humble abode, this Thursday evening the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Cincinnati Bearcats battle in Week 1 at Arrowhead Stadium. Now, neither team come into this matchup ranked in the top 25, however, both are looking to surprise some people in their respective conferences this upcoming season. It all starts this Thursday under the lights in Kansas City. We’ve broken down this contest and found our favorite picks within the matchup.
Let’s get to it!
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Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats NCAA Football Insights
Brendan Sorsby leads the Bearcats after losing five straight to end last season
Last season, true freshman Dylan Raiola led the Cornhuskers to a quick 5-1 start, losing only to No. 24 Illinois in overtime. However after that, the wheels fell off. Nebraska lost five of their last six games down the stretch, but went on to beat Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl to cap off a 7-6 season.
Now the Patrick Mahomes impersonator is back to lead the Huskers in the Big Ten, and he begins this journey on the same field that his idol takes every week. But, Cincinnati is not to be slept on.
Despite a 5-2 start for the Bearcats last season, their wheels also fell off. They lost those two opening games by a combined four points, so they competed in every single matchup. However, they ended up losing their last five games, none of which were against a ranked opponent, and finished the season with a losing record, thus missing out on a bowl game.
Brendan Sorsby is back to lead the Bearcats offense once again, and things might be more exciting this season for Cincy. Last season, Sorsby threw for 2,813 yards with 18 touchdowns and just seven picks, while adding 447 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. But can he lead the Bearcats to an upset victory in Week 1?
Matchup Information – Nebraska vs. Cincinnati – August 28
- Venue & Location: Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
- Date: Thursday, August 28, 2025
- Kick Off: 9:00 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: ESPN
Nebraska vs. Cincinnati Betting Odds
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Spread
- Nebraska -6.5 (-117)
- Cincinnati +6.5 (-103)
Moneyline
- Nebraska -255
- Cincinnati +211
Total
- Over 54.5 (-110)
- Under 54.5 (-110)
New Look Offenses for Both Football Teams
Tawee Walker will be the lead running back for the Bearcats this year
Dylan Raiola was impressive as a freshman, but will he fall into a sophomore slump? He replaces just two offensive linemen, but brought in veterans RT Elijah Pritchett of Alabama and RG Rocco Spindler of Notre Dame to fill the gaps. Emmett Johnson will be the lead back after running for 598 yards and a touchdown last season behind Dante Dowdell. Johnson added 39 catches for 286 yards and two touchdowns out of the backfield from a receiving perspective.
As for the pass catchers, Raiola has new weapons. Dane Key caught 40+ passes in his past two years at Kentucky, going for at least 600 yards each season and adding 14 touchdowns. Nyziah Hunter was a true freshman at California, catching 40 passes for 578 yards and five touchdowns, now linking up with Raiola in Lincoln.
The Bearcats’ offense will look a little different. Sorsby has a brand new supporting cast including a new running back and three new wideouts. Tawee Walker ran for 864 yards and 10 touchdowns at Wisconsin last season and looks to be dangerous for Cincinnati. The trio of new wide receivers include Jeff Caldwell (Lindenwood D-II), Caleb Goodie (Colorado State) and Cyrus Allen (Texas A&M). That pass-catching corps totaled over 1,600 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns last season.
But will it be enough to get past Nebraska?
Nebraska vs. Cincinnati NCAA Football Picks and Predictions
Dylan Raiola and Nebraska play in Thursday Night Football for Week 1
Nebraska vs. Cincinnati Prediction: Nebraska Wins and Covers, Over 54.5
Best Bet: Nebraska -6.5 (-105) Bovada
We are backing the “Walmart Patrick Mahomes” in the house he dominates every weekend. Pray with me that the Taylor Swift voodoo trapped inside Arrowhead finds it’s way into Raiola’s right arm come Thursday night.
Both these teams started very hot last season. However, Cincinnati lost their first two real challenges against Pittsburgh and Texas Tech, while Nebraska brought the house down against Heisman winner Travis Hunter and the Colorado Buffaloes. While I’m not reading much into that, let’s put it this way.
I expect this to feel like a home game for Nebraska. Lincoln is a whole lot closer to Kansas City than Cincinnati is, and given the Thursday Night kick off, it’s much more doable for Husker fans to make that trip. Both schools have red in their colors, but you’ll see a lot more Nebraska fans than Bearcat supporters.
That will come into play when the Huskers really need some momentum in their offense.
Defensively, the Huskers ranked top 20 last season in points allowed, while Cincinnati ranked No. 57, giving up 25 per game and 30.3 away from home. The Bearcats were also No. 92 in yards allowed per play, giving up over 6.3 per attempt, and No. 95 in yards per pass attempt, letting their opponents throw for over 8.4 yards per drop back.
I think the Bearcats will try to rely more on their offense this year, only to their own demise. In what I expect to be a shootout, give me Raiola, the better pocket passer, to sling the pill and lead the Huskers to a Week 1 victory.
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