The Cincinnati Bearcats and Nebraska Cornhuskers will face off in the Kansas City Classic on Thursday night. Nebraska is favored in this neutral site matchup in which both of these power conference teams will look to silence some doubters early in the year. Before the action begins from Arrowhead Stadium, continue reading to get my Nebraska vs Cincinnati prediction for this matchup.
Our Nebraska vs Cincinnati Pick
- Pick: Nebraska –6.5
- Confidence: 3/5
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Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Nebraska vs Cincinnati
- Date & Time: Thursday, August 28, 2025, 9:00 PM ET
- Venue: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
- Broadcast: ESPN
Nebraska vs Cincinnati Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska –6.5 | Nebraska –270 / Cincinnati +220 | 54.5 |
Key Storylines
- The “Kansas City Classic” will be played for the first time in front of a massive crowd. Nebraska fans are expected to be the majority of the fans in attendance. Organizers hope this becomes a recurring event.
- Nebraska arrives with confidence under coach Matt Rhule after making a bowl game for the first time since 2016. Dylan Raiola will look to build on his first season as the starting quarterback in Lincoln.
- Cincinnati must rebound under Scott Satterfield. Cincinnati dropped five straight games to end last season and will need to be better if they want to become a more serious contender in the Big 12 this season.
Quarterback Play
Dylan Raiola is entering his sophomore year and has high expectations after a mixed freshman campaign for Nebraska. Raiola had 13 passing touchdowns and 11 interceptions last year. He now has a more quarterback-friendly system under new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. His ability to make plays with his arm and legs could unlock Nebraska’s offense now that he has more experience under his belt.
Cincinnati will counter with quarterback Brendan Sorsby. Sorsby’s first season in Cincinnati saw him improve dramatically across most statistical categories from his time at Indiana. He will need more from his offensive line to reach his full potential this year. Pressure on Sorsby from Nebraska’s improved defensive front may force mistakes from Cincinnati’s signal caller.
Betting Trends & H2H
- This marks the first meeting between the programs since 1906.
- Nebraska wrapped up 2024 by holding eight of their last nine opponents to 28 points or fewer.
- Cincinnati scored 24 points or fewer in seven straight games last season.
- Nebraska went 4-9 on over/unders last season.
- Cincinnati was 4-7-1 in the over/under market in 2024.
Nebraska vs Cincinnati Model Projection
Score Projection: Nebraska 31 – Cincinnati 17
Win Probability: Nebraska 68%, Cincinnati 32%
Final Thoughts
Nebraska should have the crowd on their side in this matchup in Kansas City. But the Cornhuskers have more working in their favor than that going into this contest. The Cornhuskers are more explosive on offense and I’m expecting more from Raiola than what we saw last season. I’ll lay the points with the Huskers in the season opener for these teams.
