Nebraska vs. Cincinnati
Normally Arrowhead Stadium is reserved for the NFL, but this weekend, it is reserved for the neutral-site game featuring Nebraska vs. Cincinnati. Many fans and bettors are excited about Year 3 for Matt Rhule with the Cornhuskers, as that has been the season that he has found his stride during previous stops with Temple and Baylor. Year 3 is a big one for Scott Satterfield, but for altogether different reasons, as his job security may be contingent on this season’s performance.
Two teams with a lot to prove and a lot of returning talent will be on display Thursday night in Week 1 in a real tone-setter for the rest of the 2025 campaign.
How to Watch Nebraska vs. Cincinnati
Where: ESPN
When: Thursday, August 28, 9:00 p.m. ET
Nebraska vs. Cincinnati College Football Odds
Nebraska -6.5 (-110) // Cincinnati +6.5 (-110)
Total: 53.5 (-110/-110)
Odds from Circa Sports as of August 25, 3:30 p.m. PT; check out our Circa Betting Splits and DraftKings Betting Splits.
Nebraska vs. Cincinnati Game Preview
Nebraska
Some might find it ironic that Dylan Raiola, who looks like and seems to carry himself like a Patrick Mahomes in-training, starts his sophomore season in a place where the Chiefs QB is 56-11 as the starting quarterback. Raiola helped the Huskers to a 7-6 season last year, their first winning season since 2016. The swing game was the Pinstripe Bowl victory over Boston College.
That actually concluded a run for Nebraska with Dana Holgorsen as the OC and it led to a major turnaround for Raiola, who completed 71.7% of his passes for 898 yards over the final four games. He still only had a 3/3 TD/INT ratio, but the talent at wide receiver has improved this season and former QB Heinrich Haarberg is now lining up as a tight end. Prior to Holgorsen taking over OC duties, Raiola had a 64.7% completion rate with a 10/8 TD/INT ratio.
Back to the 50-year-old Rhule, whose success in Year 3 may be a small sample size, but it is telling. Temple was 2-10 in Year 1, followed by a 6-6 season in 2014 and then two 10-win seasons, including a 10-4 effort in Year 3. Then he went to Baylor, where he was tasked with not only getting the team some wins, but also cleaning up the culture from the Art Briles years. After a 1-11 start, the Bears were 7-6 in Year 2 and then 11-3 in Year 3, finishing 13th in the AP Poll.
Rhule’s NFL tenure was forgettable, but he’s had Nebraska at 5-7 and then 7-6, so this would historically be time for a jump. The defense has been stellar in each of his two seasons, posting 18.3 and 19.5 PPG, even with a -17 TO margin back in 2023. The Huskers do have a new DC in John Butler, who was coaching the defensive backs last year.
Cincinnati
The Bearcats have a very promising QB of their own in Brendan Sorsby. The junior gunslinger had an 18/7 TD/INT ratio last season in his first at the helm. Sorsby also had 447 yards on the ground and nine touchdowns. The Indiana transfer upped his completion rate by seven points and scaled back the interceptions in his first season with Satterfield.
He’s had to spend the spring and summer developing a rapport with some new skill-position faces, including RB Tawee Walker, who has some big shoes to fill after Corey Kiner ran for 1,153 yards. Leading receiver Xzavier Henderson also left, but the Bearcats brought back First Team Big 12 TE Joe Royer and went portal shopping for transfers from Texas A&M, Lindenwood, and Colorado State. Lindenwood transfer Jeff Caldwell stands 6-foot-5 and could be a huge help for a team that was 87th in red zone TD% last season.
After a putrid defensive performance in Satterfield’s first season, he scouted out Iowa State linebackers coach Tyson Veidt to be the DC. Veidt’s unit improved by 0.6 yards per play and 5.4 points per game year over year. Most notably, after giving up 32.8 PPG in Big 12 games, the Bearcats allowed 25.7 last season. They actually outgained opponents on a per-game basis and were only -.16 YPP on a per-play basis.
In other words, Cincinnati improved a good amount on defense, even though the two-win improvement overall and in Big 12 play may not have shown it. Better red zone execution and more explosive passing plays on offense could be difference makers.
Nebraska vs. Cincinnati Prediction
The Cornhuskers absolutely could take a leap in Year 3 under Rhule, but Cincinnati is a team that appears to be trending up as well. The talent level is much higher on the offensive side of the ball now and Sorsby’s mobility helped the Bearcats to a positive sack differential for the first time since 2021. Veidt has some familiarity with Holgorsen from the OC’s time with West Virginia and the last two seasons in the Big 12. My Power Ratings say Cincinnati +6, but my handicap likes them, too.
Pick: Cincinnati +6.5
