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.
| Date | Opponent (SP+ Rank) | Location | Projected Nebraska Line | 2024 Sagarin Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 28 | Cincinnati (55) | Neutral (Kansas City) | -6.5 | -6.5 |
| Sep 6 | Akron (129) | Home | -29.5 | -30 |
| Sep 13 | Houston Christian (N/A) | Home | N/A | -83 |
| Sep 20 | Michigan (13) | Home | +7 | +4 |
| Oct 4 | Michigan State (76) | Home | -13 | -14 |
| Oct 11 | @ Maryland (67) | Away | -6 | -6.5 |
| Oct 18 | @ Minnesota (37) | Away | +2 | +2 |
| Oct 25 | Northwestern (87) | Home | -17 | -17 |
| Nov 1 | Southern Cal (30) | Home | -1 | +1.5 |
| Nov 8 | @ UCLA (69) | Away | -6.5 | -3 |
| Nov 22 | @ Penn State (3) | Away | +20 | +14.5 |
| Nov 28 | Iowa (21) | Home | +2 | Pick’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.