The Nebraska faithful eagerly await the 2025 season opener versus Cincinnati on Thursday, 28 Aug 2025. Interestingly, this is the only time the Huskers have faced off against Cinci since 1906, which was their lone meeting.
Cinci was not good last year. They failed to make a bowl game, going 5-7 and losing their final five in a row. With that in mind, most expect their offense to be better this year. Their dual-threat QB, Brendan Sorsby, returns, along with transfer wide receivers, a strong TE room, a solid offensive line, and a former BIG10 running back in Wisconsin transfer Tawee Walker! He was the only FBS quarterback last season to record both a 425-yard passing game and a 125-yard rushing performance. Buckle up, blackshirts. The first test of the year is no small task.
If Cinci has a chance to beat a Huskers team that – on paper – is much more talented, it’ll be because of Sorsby. Last year, he threw for 2,813 yards, ran for 447 yards, and scored 18 passing touchdowns and nine rushing touchdowns! He is one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12, mainly due to his dual-threat ability. The Huskers, over the last few years, have struggled with such quarterback archetypes.
First-year defensive coordinator John Butler will be tested early, in this critical quasi-home game opener for the Huskers. The Bearcats are going to want to run the ball against the Huskers’ front seven, with the QB and their running backs. I would expect this to be tested and probed early. While many of the fanbase have had the D-line penciled as a concern due to stars like Nash Hutmacher and Ty Robinson going pro, Matt Rhule remarked in the off-season that he felt very confident in that unit. We should probably believe that, until shown something different, as he is around that unit and sees practice – we do not.
It’ll take discipline, especially from the linebackers, to keep Sorsby in the pocket without giving up the check-down passes and underneath routes. Overall, I would expect this Huskers defense, led by captains Deshon Singleton, Ceyair Wright, and Marques Buford Jr, to be up to the challenge. Their veteran leadership helps give the Huskers’ the edge here.
Prediction time: Give me the Huskers 34-17.
Go Big Red.