As Week 8 of the 2025 college football season kicks off, the Nebraska Cornhuskers will travel to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Nebraska, ranked #25, comes into this game with a 5-1 record and a perfect 2-0 on the road. The game will be broadcast on FOX, starting at 8:00 PM on October 17.
Minnesota will look to maintain their unblemished home record, currently standing at 4-0. Their overall record is 4-2, and they share a 2-1 conference record with Nebraska. The Golden Gophers are coming off a 27-20 win over Purdue and will aim to build momentum against a top-25 opponent.
Nebraska recently secured a narrow 34-31 victory against Maryland, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. The Cornhuskers have demonstrated strong offensive capabilities, evident in their 68-0 win against Akron earlier in the season. With a spread favoring Nebraska by 8.5 points, this game promises competitive action under the Friday night lights.
Minnesota vs Nebraska At a Glance
- Game Date & Time: Friday, October 17, 2025 at 8:00 PM
- Venue: Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN
- Television Broadcast: FOX
- Nebraska Cornhuskers Record: 5-1 overall, 2-0 on the road
- Minnesota Golden Gophers Record: 4-2 overall, 4-0 at home
- Game Odds: Nebraska Moneyline -332, Minnesota Moneyline +263
Minnesota Golden Gophers: A Comprehensive Look into the Team’s Recent Performance
Overview of Minnesota’s Recent Form
The Minnesota Golden Gophers have had a varied season with a current record of 3 wins and 2 losses in their last five games. Their recent victory came against Purdue with a 27-20 win, showcasing a strong passing game. However, they also faced a tough 42-3 loss against Ohio State, which highlighted some defensive vulnerabilities.
Minnesota’s offensive performance has been a mix of highs and lows. With 1371 passing yards this season, they rank 66th, while their rushing game is ranked 111th with 677 yards. Despite these statistics, their ability to secure first downs has been relatively strong, ranking 40th with 119 first downs.
Key Players to Watch
Drake Lindsey has been a standout quarterback for Minnesota, accumulating 1284 passing yards and 9 touchdowns, ranking first on the team. His performance is crucial for the Golden Gophers’ success. Additionally, Le’Meke Brockington has contributed significantly as a wide receiver with 253 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.
On the defensive end, Minnesota has been impressive with 14 sacks, ranking 12th, and 6 interceptions, ranking 7th. Their defensive prowess will be vital in their upcoming games to mitigate the offensive threats from their opponents.
Recent Game Insights
In their recent victory over Purdue, Minnesota’s passing game was the highlight with 232 yards, despite being outgained on the ground. Their defense played a pivotal role by forcing three interceptions. This game demonstrated Minnesota’s capability to win through a strong aerial attack and defensive turnovers.
Contrastingly, the loss to Ohio State was marked by struggles both offensively and defensively. Minnesota managed only 94 passing yards and 68 rushing yards, while their defense allowed 341 passing yards. This game serves as a reminder of the challenges Minnesota faces against high-caliber teams.
Upcoming Challenges
Looking ahead, Minnesota will host the Nebraska Cornhuskers, providing them an opportunity to improve their home game record. They have been strong at home, with a 4-0 record in recent games. Their ability to capitalize on home advantage could be key to their success in this matchup.
Later in the season, Minnesota will travel to face the Oregon Ducks. This game will test their ability to perform on the road, especially against a team with a strong offensive lineup. Minnesota’s defense will need to be at its best to contain Oregon’s potent offense.
Betting Trends for Minnesota
- SU – Home Games: Last 4 Games (2025) → 4-0 (100.0%)
- SU – As Favorite: Last 30 Games (2021–2025) → 22-8 (73.3%)
- O/U – After Win: Last 3 Games (2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- SU – After Loss: Last 3 Games (2024–2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – All Games: Last 5 Games (2025) → 4-1 (80.0%)
- ATS – Totals ≤ 42: Last 12 Games (2022–2025) → 8-4 (66.7%)
- ATS – Home Games: Last 29 Games (2021–2025) → 16-13 (55.2%)
Nebraska Cornhuskers Travel to Minnesota: A Look Ahead
Offensive Insights
The Nebraska Cornhuskers have demonstrated a strong offensive presence this season, with 246 points scored, ranking 11th in the league. Their passing game is particularly noteworthy, amassing 1,861 yards, which places them 12th overall. Despite their aerial success, the ground game has been less effective, with only 868 rushing yards, ranking 82nd.
Quarterback Dylan Raiola is a key player, leading the passing attack with 1,591 yards. His performance is complemented by a league-leading 16 passing touchdowns, making him a crucial asset to Nebraska’s offensive strategy. Wide receivers like Nyziah Hunter and Jacory Barney Jr. provide reliable targets, contributing significantly to the team’s yardage.
Defensive Performance
Nebraska’s defense is solid, with 112 points against them, ranked 60th. Their defensive line has proven adept at pressuring quarterbacks, recording 11 sacks, which ranks 15th in the league. The secondary has also been effective, securing three interceptions, putting them in the 4th position.
The Cornhuskers’ ability to recover fumbles is another defensive strength, with six recoveries placing them 3rd overall. This opportunistic play has been a vital part of their defensive success. Their defensive prowess is critical as they face Minnesota, who will look to challenge them on their home turf.
Recent Game Insights
In their recent outing against Maryland, Nebraska secured a narrow 34-31 victory. This win highlighted their offensive capabilities, with 260 passing yards and 194 rushing yards. The team’s ability to convert first downs, as demonstrated by their 23 first downs against Maryland, is a testament to their offensive efficiency.
Nebraska’s defense played a pivotal role in their win against Maryland, managing to intercept the ball three times. Despite these interceptions, the Cornhuskers will need to focus on minimizing their own turnovers to maintain their winning streak. This game serves as a preparation for the challenges they will encounter against Minnesota.
Upcoming Challenges
The Cornhuskers are set to play the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium. With Nebraska being 9-point favorites, they will be keen to extend their winning run. This away game is a crucial test for Nebraska as they continue to assert their dominance in the league.
As they prepare for Minnesota, the Cornhuskers must address their injury list, which includes key players like Janiran Bonner and Gage Stenger. Their absence could impact team dynamics, making it essential for Nebraska to adapt and strategize effectively. Overcoming these challenges will be key to their continued success.
Team Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: Last 6 Games (2024–2025) → 6-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – Home Games: Last 6 Games (2024–2025) → 6-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – All Games: Last 5 Games (2025) → 5-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – As Favorite: Last 4 Games (2025) → 4-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – After Win: Last 4 Games (2025) → 4-0 (100.0%)
Minnesota vs Nebraska Prediction: Minnesota +8.5
The Minnesota Golden Gophers have been solid at home this season, sporting a perfect 4-0 record. This strong home performance is a critical factor considering the spread of +8.5 in their favor. Given their recent 27-20 victory over Purdue, Minnesota has shown they can compete well at home, especially against conference opponents.
Looking at Nebraska, they are ranked #25 with an impressive overall record of 5-1, but their road games have not been overly challenging. Minnesota’s ability to cover as underdogs, especially with a spread of +8.5, suggests they can keep this game competitive. Nebraska’s defensive rank of 60th in points against also indicates potential vulnerabilities that Minnesota could exploit.
Additionally, Minnesota’s trends against the spread (ATS) show a record of 16-13 in their last 29 home games, indicating that they often play tightly contested games. Nebraska’s prowess in interceptions might be a concern, but Minnesota’s balanced attack can help mitigate this advantage.
Given Minnesota’s strong form at home and Nebraska’s potential defensive gaps, the prediction is for Minnesota to cover the spread. Expect a close game, with Minnesota potentially edging out a victory.
- Minnesota vs Nebraska Prediction: Minnesota +8.5
- Minnesota vs Nebraska Score: Minnesota 24 – Nebraska 21
