In Week 9 of the 2025 regular season, the Northwestern Wildcats will travel to Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, NE to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Both teams enter this game with identical 5-2 records, adding intrigue to their Big Ten conference battle. Scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025, the game will be broadcast on FS1 at 12:00 PM.
The Wildcats have been solid this season, holding a 3-1 conference record. They recently shut out Purdue 19-0, showcasing strong defensive play. With a balanced attack, they hope to translate recent successes into another road win.
Nebraska, playing on home turf, has a 3-1 record at Memorial Stadium this season. Despite a recent setback against Minnesota, the Cornhuskers will look to harness their earlier performances, including a narrow win over Maryland. A tight contest is anticipated, with Nebraska favored by 7 points according to consensus odds.
Nebraska vs Northwestern At a Glance
- Game Location: Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, NE
- Game Time: Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM
- TV Broadcast: FS1
- Northwestern’s Record: 5-2 overall, 3-1 in Big Ten
- Nebraska’s Record: 5-2 overall, 2-2 in Big Ten
- Odds: Nebraska favored with a -7 spread and -256 moneyline
Nebraska Cornhuskers Gear Up for Home Game Against Northwestern
Overview of Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska Cornhuskers have showcased a balanced offense this season, ranking 20th in points scored with 252 points. Their passing game has been impressive, sitting at 17th in passing yards with a total of 2,038 yards. However, their rushing offense needs improvement as they are currently ranked 90th with only 904 rushing yards.
On defense, the Cornhuskers have allowed 136 points, ranking them 69th in points against. They have been effective in creating turnovers, with 12 sacks and 3 interceptions. Their defense ranks 4th in both interceptions and fumbles recovered, showing strength in creating turnover opportunities.
Recent Performance
In their recent game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Nebraska struggled to find their rhythm, losing 24-6. The Cornhuskers managed only 13 first downs and struggled in the rushing game, gaining a mere 36 yards. Despite outpassing Minnesota with 177 yards, their inability to convert drives into points was evident.
Previously, Nebraska secured a victory over the Maryland Terrapins with a narrow 34-31 win. They showcased a stronger offensive presence, accumulating 454 total yards, including 194 rushing yards. The Cornhuskers were also effective on defense, intercepting Maryland three times during the game.
Key Players
Dylan Raiola, the Cornhuskers’ leading quarterback, has been a standout performer with 1,768 passing yards and 16 touchdowns over seven games. His connection with top wide receiver Nyziah Hunter has been pivotal, with Hunter amassing 455 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. On the ground, Emmett Johnson leads with 713 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns, providing a crucial component to Nebraska’s offensive success.
Defensively, Nebraska relies on their playmakers to create disruptions. Their ability to generate sacks and recover fumbles has been a significant asset. Maintaining this pressure will be essential as they prepare for their upcoming matchup.
Injury Concerns
The Cornhuskers are dealing with several injuries that could impact their lineup. Key players such as Rocco Spindler and Janiran Bonner are currently out with injuries. Their ability to adapt and overcome these absences will be tested against Northwestern.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Betting Trends
- O/U – Home Games: Last 6 Games (2024–2025) → 6-0 (100.0%)
- SU – As Favorite: Last 21 Games (2022–2025) → 16-5 (76.2%)
- SU – After Loss: Last 3 Games (2024–2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – All Games: Last 6 Games (2025) → 5-1 (83.3%)
- SU – Home Games: Last 11 Games (2024–2025) → 8-3 (72.7%)
- O/U – As Favorite: Last 8 Games (2024–2025) → 6-2 (75.0%)
- O/U – After Win: Last 5 Games (2025) → 4-1 (80.0%)
- SU – Totals ≥ 50: Last 5 Games (2024–2025) → 4-1 (80.0%)
- SU – All Games: Last 7 Games (2025) → 5-2 (71.4%)
- ATS – As Underdog: Last 26 Games (2020–2025) → 14-12 (53.8%)
Northwestern Wildcats Ready to Roar Against Nebraska
Team Overview
The Northwestern Wildcats have had a notable season, sitting at a 4-1 record in their last five games. Their recent victory against Purdue with a 19-0 scoreline highlights their strong defensive capabilities. As they prepare to meet Nebraska, their form suggests they are well-prepared for the challenge ahead.
Northwestern’s offense has been productive, with their rushing game ranked 35th nationally, accumulating 1,350 yards this season. Despite ranking 107th in passing yards, their ability to move the chains is evident with 152 first downs, ranking 28th. Their recent games demonstrate a balanced offensive approach that could prove crucial against Nebraska.
Defensive Prowess
The Wildcats’ defense has been a significant strength, allowing only 106 points this season, which ranks 52nd nationally. Their ability to pressure quarterbacks is reflected in their 11 sacks, ranking them 18th. Northwestern’s opportunistic defense also boasts 4 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries, ranking them among the top teams in these categories.
In their last game against Purdue, the Wildcats’ defense was impenetrable, not allowing a single point. This shutout performance is indicative of their current form and confidence heading into their matchup against Nebraska.
Key Players
Quarterback Preston Stone has been a key contributor, throwing for 1,213 yards and 10 touchdowns. His ability to manage games and lead the offense has been critical to Northwestern’s success. Running back Caleb Komolafe, with 483 rushing yards, has been instrumental in the ground game, though his status is questionable due to an injury.
On the receiving end, Griffin Wilde stands out with 516 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, providing a reliable target for Stone. Defensively, the team will look to continue their strong form, particularly in creating turnovers.
Injury Concerns
Northwestern is dealing with a few injuries, including key players like Caleb Komolafe and Cam Porter. These injuries could affect their depth, especially in the rushing department. Despite these challenges, the team has shown resilience in previous games.
Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: Last 10 Games (2023–2025) → 9-1 (90.0%)
- ATS – After Win: Last 5 Games (2024–2025) → 5-0 (100.0%)
- SU – All Games: Last 4 Games (2025) → 4-0 (100.0%)
- ATS – All Games: Last 3 Games (2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – Totals ≤ 42: Last 3 Games (2024) → 3-0 (100.0%)
Nebraska vs Northwestern Prediction: Nebraska -7.0
Nebraska enters this home game as a 7-point favorite, looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss against Minnesota. With a solid home record of 3-1, they have consistently performed well in Memorial Stadium. Their offensive prowess ranks them 20th in points for and 17th in passing yards, both of which are likely to be key factors against Northwestern.
Northwestern, on the other hand, has only a 1-1 road record this season, which could be a disadvantage in Lincoln. Despite a strong conference play, Northwestern’s offense ranks 107th in passing yards, a concern when facing Nebraska’s defense. Nebraska’s home and overall performance trends indicate resilience following losses, supporting the belief that they can cover the spread.
Nebraska’s recent trend in covering the spread as favorites, combined with their home-field advantage, makes them a strong pick. The Cornhuskers’ superior offense, bolstered by the passing game, is expected to overpower Northwestern’s defense. Expect Nebraska to capitalize on Northwestern’s weaker road performance.
With the data at hand, Nebraska should cover the 7-point spread, backed by their home dominance and consistent offensive execution. The expected scoreline reflects their capability to control the game against Northwestern, giving them a decisive win.
- Nebraska vs Northwestern Prediction: Nebraska -7.0
- Nebraska vs Northwestern Score: Nebraska 28 – Northwestern 17
