College Football Picks: Nebraska vs. Cincinnati Best Bets
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The Nebraska Cornhuskers travel to Kansas City, Missouri, to take on the Cincinnati Bearcats in a neutral-site clash. The Cornhuskers enter off a 6-6 season, which ended with a win against Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl. Cincinnati posted a 5-7 record, which must have been a disappointment after starting the season 5-2.
Nebraska vs. Cincinnati Betting Odds for Week 1
Spread: Nebraska -6.5 (-108 DraftKings Sportsbook); Cincinnati +6.5 (-105 FanDuel Sportsbook)
Total: Under 52.5 (-115 DraftKings Sportsbook), Over 51.5 (-110 Caesars Sportsbook)
Moneyline: Nebraska -225 (FanDuel Sportsbook), Cincinnati +205 (Caesars Sportsbook)
This line opened at Nebraska -6.5, and it hasn't really budged. That's not necessarily a surprise, as 6.5 is one of the magic numbers in sports betting, and it takes a lot to move it higher. The total has also remained relatively stable since its opening, hovering just above 50 points. Like many games early in the season, there's a lot we don't know, so it's not very common to see large spread swings unless the odds makers have made an obvious mistake.
Nebraska vs. Cincinnati Betting Picks for Week 1
Let's start with the location of this game. This is a neutral-site game, but I'm expecting Nebraska to have a significant advantage in the stands, both because of proximity and because Cornhusker fans are known to travel better. This will feel like a home game for the Cornhuskers, which will obviously be a big advantage.
This is a rare early-season matchup featuring many key returning players from last season, which should provide some insight into what might happen on Thursday.
The Cornhuskers will have some continuity in the backfield with QB Dylan Raiola and RB Emmett Johnson, a running back we rank highly for 2025, returning. They lost most of their skill at WR, but like most teams, they were able to reload in the transfer portal. The defense looks to be solid again this season as well, so expectations might be at an all-time high for the 'Huskers under HC Matt Rhule.
Cincinnati also has some key pieces returning, including QB Brendan Sorsby. Sorsby started the season well this past year, but like the rest of the team, he struggled down the stretch. How he responds out of the gate this season will tell a lot about what we should expect from the Bearcats this year.
Nebraska has a lot going for it this week: the crowd, the defense, the leadership at key positions, as well as some continuity with head coach Matt Rhule, who enters his third season at the helm. Cincinnati, meanwhile, went into a tailspin at the end of this past season, and while this is a new season, there are some problems from last season that might not have been addressed, including its secondary.
There are simply too many questions surrounding Cincinnati to side with the Bearcats out of the gate. Brendan Sorsby regressed as the season wore on this past year, and while he showed some upside, we don't know how he'll look to start the season. The defense really struggled down the stretch and we can only assume all of those problems have yet to be addressed.
While Nebraska has failed to live up to expectations for much of the past 20 years, things might actually be different this season. If that's the case, that means the 'Huskers will get off to a good start and take care of business in this spot.
Nebraska vs Cincinnati Expert Pick: Nebraska -6.5 (DraftKings Sportsbook)
Nebraska vs. Cincinnati Predictions for Week 1
As is the case for the entire season, Nebraska goes as Raiola goes. If the 'Husker QB is sharp, they should have little problem moving the ball and scoring points. If he's not, then this could turn into an entirely different game.
I think Raiola shows improvement this season, and we'll see that starting Thursday. The run game should contribute as well, but if Nebraska is to cover this number, it will be on Raiola's shoulders. All reports seem to indicate that the defense should be solid again this season, which means if the 'Huskers get out to a lead, they should be able to hang onto the cover.
Look for some early fireworks from the 'Husker offense and for the Bearcats to struggle in what could be a tough environment. Cincinnati QB Brendan Sorsby will get some work done on the ground and through the air, but it will be an uphill battle the entire night, and in the end, Nebraska wins with ease.
Nebraska 34 - Cincinnati 20
