The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Cincinnati Bearcats will open their 2025 seasons at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Thursday night. Kickoff is set for 9:00 PM ET, and this will be the only Power Four matchup on the schedule that day. Both programs are led by coaches entering their third season, with Nebraska looking to continue progress under Matt Rhule and Cincinnati aiming to rebound under Scott Satterfield.
Nebraska finished 7-6 last year, reaching a bowl game for the first time since 2016. Cincinnati ended 2024 with a 5-7 record, including a late-season collapse after starting 5-2. The Cornhuskers are favored by a touchdown, but both teams bring experienced quarterbacks back under center, setting up an early test for two programs trying to take the next step.
Cornhuskers Preview – Ready to Build on Last Season
Nebraska enters 2025 with momentum after a bowl win against Boston College to close last season. Head coach Matt Rhule is known for turning programs around in his third year, going 10-4 at Temple and 11-3 at Baylor. He will try to repeat that success in Lincoln with a team returning multiple starters on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Dylan Raiola leads the offense after throwing for 2,819 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in his freshman campaign. He improved late in the season, including a 293-yard performance in a win over Wisconsin. Nebraska will lean on him to cut down turnovers while continuing to push the ball downfield. Running back depth is a question, with several players listed as questionable, but the Huskers expect to lean on their offensive line to establish the ground game.
Defensively, Nebraska has been improving under coordinator John Butler. The Cornhuskers held opponents under 20 points in four of their last six games in 2024. However, they are already dealing with injuries on that side of the ball, with linebacker Vincent Shavers Jr. and cornerback Braxton Hill listed as questionable. Depth in the secondary will be tested against Cincinnati’s passing attack.
Bearcats Preview – Hoping to Bounce Back
Cincinnati struggled in its second year in the Big 12, finishing just 5-7 overall. Scott Satterfield is also in his third season as head coach, and he will be under pressure to show progress after going 8-16 through his first two years. The Bearcats lost their last five games of 2024 after a promising 5-2 start, and fixing late-season consistency is a priority.
Quarterback Brendan Sorsby returns after throwing for 2,813 yards last season. He started strong but struggled down the stretch, finishing with 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The staff expects him to benefit from the experience, and a cleaner performance in turnover margin could change the outcome of close games. Cincinnati also needs more from its running backs, who struggled to establish consistent production in 2024.
Defensively, the Bearcats gave up too many big plays last year. Their secondary will be tested again against Raiola and Nebraska’s passing game. However, Cincinnati enters the opener with no major injuries, giving them an advantage in depth compared to Nebraska. Playing in a neutral site game just 200 miles from Lincoln will mean a Husker-heavy crowd, but Cincinnati will look to use the stage to prove it belongs with stronger Power Four teams.
Matchup Breakdown
This game features two young quarterbacks trying to show growth in their second seasons. Raiola has the bigger arm and higher ceiling, but Sorsby has the experience of playing in a tough Big 12 schedule. Turnovers could be the difference, as both players combined for 23 interceptions a year ago. The quarterback who limits mistakes will likely give his team the edge.
Nebraska’s biggest advantage may come in the trenches. Their offensive line is expected to be more physical, while Cincinnati struggled to stop the run in 2024. However, the Bearcats’ defense is aggressive, ranking in the middle of the Big 12 in sacks, and could pressure Raiola if Nebraska’s pass protection breaks down. Special teams may also be key, as Nebraska’s kicking game was inconsistent last year.
The series history favors Nebraska, although these teams have rarely met. With the Cornhuskers playing closer to home and having a larger fan presence at Arrowhead Stadium, Cincinnati will need to create momentum early to avoid falling behind. The Bearcats’ ability to finish drives in the red zone could determine whether they can pull the upset.
Betting Prediction
Nebraska is listed as a -7.0 favorite with the total set around 53.5. The Cornhuskers went 4-6 against the spread in their last 10 games but did close last year with a win and cover against Boston College. Cincinnati has been inconsistent against the number and will need to improve offensive efficiency to keep pace in this game.
With Raiola expected to take a step forward in his second season and Rhule’s track record of third-year success, Nebraska should have the edge. Cincinnati will be competitive early, but Nebraska’s defense and offensive depth give them the upper hand. Expect the Cornhuskers to cover the spread in a game that stays just under the total. Predicted final score: Nebraska 28, Cincinnati 17.
Pick: Nebraska -7
