College Football Odds – Nebraska vs Cincinnati Preview

The question for the Nebraska Cornhuskers in their season opening contest with Cincinnati is which team will show up. Looking to restore the once proud history of the program, Matt Ruhle had the Huskers storming out of the gate a season ago, winning their first three games and five of six. However, facing a more difficult schedule in the second half the Huskers dropped five of their last six. Playing a bowl game for the first time in eight years the Huskers salvaged a winning season beating BC in the Pinstripe Bowl.

This matchup between Power 4 squads will have a big time feel to it with the game played at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL Kansas City Chiefs, on Thursday, August 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET with television coverage on ESPN.

Nebraska vs. Cincinnati Preview

• Having winning seasons and bowl game appearances are things Nebraska used to do on a regular basis. Heck, you could even throw a few national titles in there. It’s been a down decade for Big Red, but with the track record of Rhule turning programs around, things are looking up. The Huskers look to build off their first winning season and bowl game appearance since 2016.

• Having blue-chip recruit Dylan Raiola run the offense is also a boost. We could see a more potent Nebraska unit this season with a stronger group of receivers headlined by transfers Dane Key and Nyziah Hunter. Raiola was solid in his first season completing 67 percent of his passes for 2,819 yards and 13 TDs. He was intercepted 11 times, though, and the Huskers ranked in the bottom half of the Big Ten in scoring.

• It’s been a rough go for the Bearcats since transitioning to the Big 12 winning just eight games the last two seasons. That happens when moving up in weight class. They won more games than that in each of the previous five seasons and reached the College Football Playoff for the 2021 campaign as a member of the AAC. Things are looking up for Cincinnati, though.

• A veteran offensive line will help Brandon Soarsby rise to new heights. In his first season with the program, the IU transfer threw for more than 2,800 yards and 18 TDs with an additional 447 yards and nine scores on the ground. With a defense that has a number of holes to fill, especially in the secondary, the offense has to score more than the 25.2 points it averaged last year.

Nebraska vs. Cincinnati Predictions

I do think both teams will be better offensively in 2025, but the opening total of 53.5 seems too high. Nebraska cashed the UNDER nine teams last season and had a combined point total of more than 50 just three times. The Huskers will be stingy again on defense making Cincy work for their points.

Nebraska vs. Cincinnati Betting Tips

Nebraska hit the college football betting board laying 6.5-points with a moneyline price of -240. The Bearcats were 1-4-1 as an underdog a season ago failing to cover three times when getting at least 6-points. They are +6.5 and +200 on the moneyline. The total opened at 53.5.

Nebraska vs. Cincinnati Head to Head and Key Stats

With the programs on different sides of the track there is no history between them. However, Cincinnati’s journey to a Power conference had a bumpy start. Since joining the Big 12 the Bearcats are just 5-15 against Power opponents. Raiola has the tools to be a star in the Big Ten, but one major issue last season was his interceptions. His 11 picks tossed were tied for the most in the conference and thwarted many drives. Putting him in more advantageous situations will not only help Raiola, but the Nebraska offense as well.