Week 2 of the 2025 college football season features the Akron Zips traveling to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. This Saturday night game will be broadcast on BTN, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 PM. Nebraska enters the game with a win under their belt, while Akron is looking to bounce back from an opening loss.
Akron, a member of the Mid-American Conference, suffered a 10-0 defeat against Wyoming in their season opener. Despite gaining 231 total yards, they were unable to score, highlighting potential areas for improvement. The Zips will aim to better their road performance in their first away game of the season.
Nebraska, representing the Big Ten Conference, comes off a close 20-17 victory against Cincinnati. The Cornhuskers showcased a strong passing game with 243 yards while securing the win away from home. With their home opener approaching, they seek to capitalize on their winning momentum at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska vs Akron At a Glance
- Game Location: Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, NE
- Game Date & Time: Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 7:30 PM
- TV Channel: BTN
- Akron’s Current Record: 0-1
- Nebraska’s Current Record: 1-0
- Game Odds: Akron Moneyline +8000; Nebraska Spread -34.0 (-109)
Nebraska Cornhuskers: A New Season of Promise
Offensive Analysis
The Nebraska Cornhuskers’ offense in the 2025 regular season has averaged 20 points per game, placing them 35th overall. Their passing game, led by Dylan Raiola, is performing well with an average of 243 passing yards per game, ranking them 54th. The rushing attack, however, needs improvement as it currently averages 113 yards per game, ranking them 85th.
Despite the challenges in the rushing department, the Cornhuskers have shown efficiency in moving the chains, averaging 23 first downs per game, which ranks them 18th. This stat highlights their ability to sustain drives even if the ground game isn’t firing on all cylinders. Consistency in the air has been key for Nebraska, and they will aim to build on this strength moving forward.
Defensive Insights
Nebraska’s defense has been a standout aspect, allowing just 17 points per game and securing a 13th place ranking. Their ability to create turnovers is evident with 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery, ranking them 2nd and 3rd respectively. The Cornhuskers have been effective in pressuring quarterbacks, though no sacks were recorded in their recent outing.
This defensive prowess was on display in their recent win against Cincinnati, where they limited the Bearcats to just 69 passing yards. Nebraska’s ability to contain the opposing team’s air attack will be crucial as they continue through the season. The focus will be on maintaining this solid defensive structure to give the offense more opportunities.
Key Player Performances
Dylan Raiola leads the offense with impressive numbers, delivering 243 passing yards and 2 touchdowns in the opening game. His connection with wide receivers Nyziah Hunter and Dane Key, who both recorded 6 receptions each, has been pivotal. The passing game appears to be the Cornhuskers’ primary weapon.
On the ground, Emmett Johnson has been the standout performer with 108 rushing yards in the first game. While he didn’t find the end zone, his ability to gain yards will be vital for Nebraska’s offensive balance. The Cornhuskers will be looking for more from their running backs as the season progresses.
Upcoming Games and Strategy
Looking ahead, Nebraska’s schedule includes matchups against the Akron Zips and Houston Christian Huskies, both at home. These games provide opportunities for the Cornhuskers to strengthen their game plan and build momentum. The home advantage at Memorial Stadium will be crucial in these upcoming encounters.
Strategically, Nebraska will aim to enhance their rushing attack while continuing to capitalize on their passing game. The defensive unit will focus on maintaining their current form, particularly in turnover creation and minimizing big plays. These elements will be key as they seek to build on their opening victory.
Team Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Totals ≥ 50: 0-1 (0.0%)
Akron Zips Gear Up for Challenging Nebraska Showdown
Offensive Overview
The Akron Zips have had a tough start to their 2025 season offensively, ranking 49th in points for with zero points on the board. Their passing game is struggling as they rank 103rd with only 139 yards. Additionally, the rushing attack is ranked 100th with 92 yards, indicating room for improvement in their offensive strategies.
Last season, the Zips showed more promise with 245 points and 2789 passing yards, ranking them 94th and 74th respectively. Despite challenges in the rushing game, the Zips managed 1227 yards, placing them 124th. The current season’s offensive struggles highlight a need for adjustments to regain their previous form.
Defensive Insights
Defensively, the Zips have been more effective, allowing only 10 points, which ranks them 6th. However, they have yet to record a sack, standing at 8th place in this category. Impressively, their defense is strong in interceptions, securing one and ranking 2nd overall.
In the previous season, Akron’s defense faced difficulties, with 384 points against, ranking them 124th. They managed to achieve 18 sacks, putting them at 32nd, and recovered three interceptions, ranking them 4th. The Zips’ ability to improve their defensive statistics will be crucial for their upcoming games.
Player Highlights
Quarterback Ben Finley leads the Zips with 139 passing yards, while Michael Johnson Jr. has yet to make a significant impact. The running back duo of Sean Patrick and Marquese Williams contributes 26 and 30 rushing yards respectively. Kyan Mason leads the wide receivers with 29 receiving yards, supported by Myles Walker with 20 yards.
The tight end position is represented by Conner Cravaack, who has recorded one reception for one yard. Akron’s offensive lineup showcases a mix of young talent and experience that will need to step up in future games. Improving synergy between the quarterback and receiving corps is essential for enhancing their offensive production.
Betting Trends
- SU All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU as Underdog: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU in Night Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS as Underdog: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U as Underdog: 0-1 (0.0%)
The Akron Zips head into their upcoming game against Nebraska with a challenging task ahead. Their recent performance against Wyoming highlights areas for improvement in both offense and defense. With a focused effort on addressing these gaps, the Zips aim to turn the tide as they face the Cornhuskers.
Nebraska vs Akron Prediction: Over 47.5
Analyzing the offensive and defensive stats of both teams, Nebraska’s offense seems capable of putting up points, especially against a team like Akron. Nebraska scored 20 points in their first game and has a robust passing game ranking 54th, which will pose challenges for Akron’s defense.
Akron, on the other hand, managed to contain their first opponent to just 10 points. However, considering Nebraska’s home-field advantage and offensive potential, the Cornhuskers could exploit Akron’s defense, which is ranked 124th from last season in points allowed.
Given these factors, Nebraska is expected to surpass their previous score and push the total points over the 47.5 mark. Nebraska’s ability to control the game tempo and Akron’s need to play catch-up might lead to a higher scoring game.
Projecting a final score, Nebraska is likely to win comfortably, scoring significantly over Akron. This should result in a score that exceeds the set total, making the ‘over’ a favorable pick.
- Nebraska vs Akron Prediction: Over 47.5
- Nebraska vs Akron Score: Nebraska 38 – Akron 14
