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2025 Nebraska Huskers Projected Point Spreads

In our previous post, we explored Nebraska’s intriguing trend of hitting the “under” in betting lines over the past eight seasons. Building on that analysis, we now turn to the Huskers projected point spreads for the 2025 football schedule, utilizing ESPN’s SP+ and Sagarin rankings as benchmarks.

It’s important to note that the Huskers projected point spreads are dynamic and subject to change based on various factors. For instance, if quarterback Dylan Raiola entered the transfer portal after spring practice, or if offensive lineman Rocco Spindler suffered a significant injury, such developments would impact not only the spread against Cincinnati but would also influence lines for subsequent games. Additionally, team performance, injuries, and the outcomes of opponents’ games will further affect point spreads as the season progresses. A dominant win over Cincinnati could lead to more favorable spreads in future matchups, while an unexpected loss might shift the odds in favor of opponents.

With that context, let’s preview the Huskers 2025 schedule as of April and project hypothetical point spreads as if the games were played tomorrow. We’ll compare these projections against the current ESPN SP+ Power Index and the end-of-season 2024 Sagarin Power Ratings to assess how Nebraska might fare against its upcoming opponents.

DateOpponent (SP+ Rank)LocationProjected Nebraska Line2024 Sagarin Spread
Aug 28Cincinnati (55)Neutral (Kansas City)-6.5-6.5
Sep 6Akron (129)Home-29.5-30
Sep 13Houston Christian (N/A)HomeN/A-83
Sep 20Michigan (13)Home+7+4
Oct 4Michigan State (76)Home-13-14
Oct 11@ Maryland (67)Away-6-6.5
Oct 18@ Minnesota (37)Away+2+2
Oct 25Northwestern (87)Home-17-17
Nov 1Southern Cal (30)Home-1+1.5
Nov 8@ UCLA (69)Away-6.5-3
Nov 22@ Penn State (3)Away+20+14.5
Nov 28Iowa (21)Home+2Pick’em

Key Takeaways:

  • Nebraska is projected as the favorite in 8 out of 12 games.​
  • In the four games where Nebraska is an underdog, three are within a touchdown margin, with two of those contests at home.​
  • The most challenging matchup appears to be against Penn State, with a projected spread of +20 in favor of the Nittany Lions.​

As the season approaches, these projections will evolve based on team performances, player movements, and other dynamic factors. We’ll continue to monitor and update these projections to provide the most accurate insights into Nebraska’s 2025 football season.

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Nebraska Huskers Football Over/Under Win Betting History since 2013

As of April 9, 2025, Nebraska’s over/under win total is set at 7.5 on FanDuel. This appears to be in accordance with Nebraska fans expectations as well.

When we break that down, the odds are -122 for the over (8 or more wins) and +100 for the under (7 or fewer wins). A $1,000 bet on the over would return $1,819, while the same bet on the under would return $2,000.

In short, Vegas is enticing you to bet the under. Read into that what you will.

Not all Over/Unders are the same

One thing that’s often misunderstood about over/unders is that not all 7.5s—or any win totals—are created equal.

Take Notre Dame, for example. Their 2025 over/under is set at 10.5. But FanDuel currently offers a return of $2,600 on a $1,000 bet if the Irish win 11 or more, and only $1,500 on $1,000 if they win 10 or fewer.

Courtesy: NU AD

As for Nebraska, the program is riding an unfortunate streak: eight straight seasons hitting the under on its projected win total.

Nebraska Football Over/Under Wins since 2013

YearOver/Under WinsRegular Season Win TotalOver/Under $1,000 Bet on Over Returns$1000 Bet on Under Returns
20139.59Under$2,000 (+100)$1,714.29
20148.59Over$2,400.00 (+140)$1,588.20 (-170)
201585Under$1,740.70 (-135)$2,000 (Even)
20168.59Over$1,909.10 (-110)$1,909.10 (-110)
201774Under$1,769.20 (-130)$2,000 (Even)
20186.54Under$2,000 (Even)$1,833.30 (-120)
20198.55Under$2,640 (+164)$1,515.50 (-194)
202053Under$2,000 (Even)$1,826.40 (-121)
202163Under$1,885.00 (-130)$1,885 (-130)
20227.54Under$1,909.09 (-110)$1,909.09 (-110)
202365Under$1,833.33 (-120)$2,000 (+100)
20247.56Under$1,833.33 (-120)$2,000 (+100)

Why has Nebraska hit the Vegas under in eight straight seasons?

Between 1962 and 2016—a 55-season span—Nebraska posted 51 winning seasons. For decades, if you entered a season expecting the Huskers to be a quality team, you were usually right.

So why has Nebraska football consistently underperformed relative to the over/under in the past eight years?

There’s no single answer. My best guess is that it’s a mix of Nebraska’s blue blood reputation, a large and optimistic fanbase, and—perhaps the biggest factor—consistent underperformance by the teams and coaches themselves.

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Huskers General Manager Patrick Stewart’s Contract with Nebraska

We recently got our hands on new Nebraska’s GM Patrick Stewart’s 3-year contract with the University of Nebraska. We’ve summarized the Full Terms, Conditions, and Clauses for your convenience:

🧾 Huskers GM Patrick Stewart’s Contract Summary

  • Position: General Manager, Football Program
  • Employer: University of Nebraska Board of Regents
  • Start Date: March 3, 2025
  • End Date: Later of last day of the 2027–2028 football season or January 31, 2028 (unless extended)

💵 Patrick Stewart’s Compensation

  • Year 1 (2025): $800,000/year
  • Year 2 (2026): $850,000/year
  • Year 3 (2027): $900,000/year

🎁 Patrick Stewart’s Bonuses

Eligible based on team achievements (percentage of base salary):

  • Big Ten Championship Game: 5%
  • Bowl Game: 5%
  • College Football Playoff: 10%
  • National Championship Win: 10%

🚚 Relocation Allowance

  • Amount: $25,000 (taxed and reported on W-2)
  • Purpose: Relocate Stewart and family to Lincoln, NE

📋 Nebraska General Manager Job Duties

  • Reports to Head Coach and Athletic Director
  • Cannot engage with boosters unless authorized in writing
  • Subject to annual performance reviews

🏃‍♂️ Resignation Terms

  • Must notify and get approval before negotiating with other employers
  • Liquidated Damages for Early Resignation:
    • By Jan 31, 2026: $800,000
    • Feb 1, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027: $850,000
    • After Jan 31, 2027: $0
  • Exception: No penalty if leaving for NFL General Manager job

🤝 Post-Termination Obligations

  • Non-Compete Clause: Cannot interfere with Athletics operations
  • Non-Disparagement Clause: No negative statements about the University

✅ If Patrick Stewart is Fired Without Cause

  • He is entitled to receive the remainder of his salary for the full contract term (through January 31, 2028) — but with important conditions:

🔍 Key Terms:

  • The University must continue to pay his monthly salary until the end of the contract term.
  • Payments are offset by any income he earns from new employment.
    • If he gets a new job that pays less, Nebraska pays the difference.
    • If he earns equal or more in his new role, Nebraska owes him nothing more.
  • He must:
    • Use “best efforts” to find comparable employment quickly.
    • Disclose all compensation details from any new job.
    • Not structure new job pay to avoid offsetting the university’s obligation.
Patrick Stewart, Nebraska General Manager
Courtesy: NU AD

❌ If Patrick Stewart is Fired For Cause

  • No, he does not get paid the remainder of the contract.
  • He forfeits:
    • Any unpaid salary
    • Any accrued but unused vacation/holidays
    • Any bonus payments
  • He may only receive:
    • Final paycheck for work already done
    • Vested retirement benefits

Grounds for “Cause” include:

  • Violations of NCAA/University rules
  • Dishonest/unethical conduct
  • Criminal activity
  • Betting on sports
  • Substance abuse while on duty
  • Insubordination
  • Poor performance not corrected within 60 days

My Takeaways :

Patrick Stewart cannot engage with boosters unless he has written permission.
This indicates he’ll be focused solely on football operations—not fundraising or donor relations.

There’s no penalty if he takes an NFL General Manager position.
Let’s be honest: if Patrick Stewart makes the leap from this role to the NFL, it likely means Nebraska experienced significant success.

Although it’s a three-year contract, he’s free to leave after Year 2 without financial penalty.
Starting February 1, 2027, Stewart can resign without owing any buyout to the University.

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Nebraska Football and the Hidden Power of Vegas Odds

Point spreads—once buried in the back pages of the sports section or whispered by your local bookie—have become a major part of the college football conversation. More than just a betting tool, the spread captures sentiment more accurately than any hot take or radio show caller. It’s a single number that reflects a mix of statistics, injuries, public perception, and market behavior. In many cases, it offers a sharper read on a matchup than even the most detailed game preview.

The first factor in creating point spreads is Power Rankings—think Sagarin, ESPN SP+, ESPN FPI, or Phil Steele, just to name a few. Once those are taken into account, other variables are used to adjust the line.

Let’s take the Nebraska–Cincinnati season opener as an example. Right now, offseason power rankings and the neutral field suggest Nebraska should be favored by 6.5 points. Now imagine something happens to Dylan Raiola and he can’t play. With an untested backup, but still a stronger overall roster, my educated guess is the spread would drop to Nebraska by 1.5 to 3 points.

Now consider the Nebraska at UCLA game on November 8, 2025. The early projected spread has Nebraska favored by 6.5 points on the road. Currently, UCLA holds a one-week rest advantage thanks to a bye, while Nebraska plays Southern Cal at home the week before. If the UCLA game were moved to Friday night, that short turnaround might be worth a point or two in UCLA’s favor.

While betting itself has exploded over the past decade, even fans who don’t place wagers are following point spreads. They’re drawn to the data-driven insights that betting lines offer—especially when it comes to their favorite team or a marquee matchup.

Spreads reflect the ripple effects of key injuries, home-field advantage, weather conditions, and shifting public sentiment. Line movement throughout the week acts as a real-time readout of how bettors—and by extension, Vegas oddsmakers—interpret a matchup. These shifts often uncover subtle dynamics casual fans or media coverage might miss.

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Betting Lines: Nebraska Opens as 6.5-Point Favorite vs. Cincinnati in 2025 Season Opener at Arrowhead

The 2025 Nebraska Cornhuskers season kicks off August 28th at Arrowhead Stadium, where they’ll take on the Cincinnati Bearcats in a neutral-site showdown.

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Huskers open as 6.5-point favorites.

  • Point Spread: Nebraska -6.5
    • Odds: -115 on Nebraska (Bet $115 to win $100)
    • Odds: -105 on Cincinnati (Bet $105 to win $100)
  • Moneyline:
    • Nebraska: -235 (Bet $235 to win $100)
    • Cincinnati: +190 (Bet $100 to win $190)
  • Over/Under Total: 50.5
    • Over: -115 (Bet $115 to win $100)
    • Under: -105 (Bet $105 to win $100)

The implied score from the Vegas lines is a Nebraska 28-22 win.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers were 7-6 last year, while the Cincinnati Bearcats are coming off a 5-7 campaign that ended with five straight losses.

Whether you’re backing Matt Rhule’s squad to cover or believe the Bearcats can keep it close—or even win outright—this Week Zero matchup offers a compelling betting slate to kick off the season.

Courtesy of NU Athletics