Nebraska vs Cincinnati. A Game A Century in the Making
The college football world is buzzing as the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Cincinnati Bearcats prepare to renew a rivalry dormant for over a century. It’s the first meeting between these programs since 1906, when Nebraska dominated 41-0 in Lincoln, giving the Huskers a 1-0 all-time series lead. Betting lines favor Nebraska at -6.5, with a moneyline of -250 for the Huskers and +200 for the Bearcats, and an over/under of 53.5 points.
This opener pits two Big Ten and Big 12 programs looking to build momentum in evolving conferences. Nebraska, under third-year head coach Matt Rhule, aims to capitalize on a resurgent 2024, where they ranked 18th nationally in total defense. Cincinnati, meanwhile, enters with win total odds hovering around 6.5 (over +104, under -128), predicted to finish 8th in the Big 12, but also ranked as the 8th-most improved team by analyst Phil Steele. Both teams boast experienced rosters, transfer portal hauls, and dynamic playmakers, setting the stage for an intriguing Week 1 battle.
Cincinnati Bearcats Preview:
The Bearcats, coached by Scott Satterfield in his third year, return 15 starters (7 on offense, 8 on defense) and 34 lettermen, blending continuity with a strong transfer class ranked 18th by Rivals (46th by 247Sports). They added 21 portal additions, bolstering depth after a 2024 season where they averaged 420.6 total yards per game (37th nationally) but struggled defensively, allowing 384.8 yards (84th). A highlight was their 24-14 upset over eventual Big 12 champion Arizona State, signaling potential in a conference where they’ve gone 5-15 against power foes.
Offense: Led by offensive coordinator Brad Glenn in his third year, Cincinnati’s attack is quarterback-driven and run-heavy. Junior Brendan Sorsby threw for 2,813 yards on 64% completion (18 TDs, 7 INTs) while rushing for 447 yards and 4 TDs at 4.3 yards per carry. He’s the only FBS QB last year with a 425-yard passing game (vs. Texas Tech) and a 125-yard rushing outing (vs. Iowa State), one of four nationally with 2,800+ passing yards, 18 passing TDs, and 9 rushing scores. The Cincy ground game eyes a 14th straight season with a 1,000-yard rusher, featuring a deep backfield: Tawee Walker (864 yards, 4.5 YPC, 10 TDs at Wisconsin), Evan Pryor (418 yards, 7.5 YPC, 6 TDs), and others. They rushed for 2,209 yards (5.17 YPC) and 19 TDs in 2024.
Receivers add speed and size: Tight end Joe Royer, a first-team All-Big 12 pick, broke Travis Kelce’s single-season receptions record for a Cincinnati TE. Wideouts include Cyrus Allen (18 YPC average over three years), 6’5″ Jeff Caldwell (93 catches, 1,722 yards, 19.1 YPC, 23 TDs career; Walter Payton Award finalist), and Caleb Goodie (top-5 fastest WR nationally in average speed). The offensive line, with three returning starters (81 combined career starts), allowed 30 QB hurries and 19 sacks, but brings in OT Joe Cotton (second-team Missouri Valley, 27 starts at LT). Overall, the unit scored 25.2 PPG, converted 41.94% on third downs, and held the ball for 31:43 TOP, with 100 first-quarter points last season.
Defense: Defensive coordinator Tyson Veidt, in his second year (former Iowa State LB coach), runs a 3-3-5 variant inspired by Iowa State’s scheme. They allowed 385 YPG and 24.6 PPG in 2024, with 21 sacks, 66 TFLs, 5 INTs, 30 PBUs, 25 QB hurries, and 14 forced fumbles. Key anchors include NT Dontay “The Godfather” Corleone (three-time all-conference, 109 tackles, 17 TFLs, 9.5 sacks in 34 games) and LB Jake Golday (honorable mention All-Big 12, second-highest PFF-graded LB at 80.7; 58 tackles, 7 TFLs, 1.5 sacks). The secondary added three transfer starters, including CB Matthew McDoom (first-team All-Sun Belt) and S Christian Harrison (ex-Tennessee, son of NFL All-Pro Rodney Harrison). The LB corps ranks 46th and DL 36th per Phil Steele, with 765 total tackles, 415 of which were solo.
Special Teams: New coordinator Luke Paschall oversees a unit headlined by kicker Stephen Rusnak (transfer from Charlotte/Michigan State). Rusnak was third-team All-AAC, perfect on 11-of-11 FGs (5-for-5 from 40+, three from 50+, including a 54-yarder), and set school records for consecutive makes and four FGs in a game. He was one of two perfect kickers nationally on 10+ attempts.
Keys for a Nebraska Victory:
On Offense, Nebraska must take care of business in the trenches. Corleone is a top 100 player in all of college football. If you shut him down, you will take away a massive part of their defense. In the passing game, Nebraska must take into account the new transfer players in Cincinnati’s secondary. While they are undersized at some positions, they do have SEC experience or All-Conference awards attached to their names. The last thing Nebraska needs to do on offense is not give up the ball. Turnovers play a considerable part in any game, but especially in week 1 games, where teams are rusty or haven’t quite gelled together yet.
On Defense, Nebraska must shut down the run. Cincinnati is going to come out and put Nebraska’s new D-line to the test. Cincy can run the ball from anywhere on offense; their QB is no Lamar Jackson, but he is mobile enough to be a serious problem for a Cornhusker defense that has historically struggled against mobile QBs. They have two former Big Ten running backs who look to make it 14 straight seasons of 1,000-yard rushers for the Bearcats. The run threat isn’t over quite yet; the Bearcats have some serious speed at wideout, and I would not be surprised to see the WRs get involved in the run game in some shape or form.
Lastly, on Special Teams, all Nebraska needs to do is not beat themselves. If Nebraska just plays average, things will go fine. Do not allow any blocked punts or kicks, don’t muff any punts, etc. That’s the bar for the Special Teams this season: just be average, but I don’t see Mike Ekeler allowing us to be average. The word “average” does not exist in his vocabulary. It’s the best or nothing for Coach Ekeler, and I think Nebraska will make a huge turnaround this year, especially when it comes to punting and in the return game. Coach Ekeler said we will “play with our hair on fire,” and I believe the Cornhuskers will do just that.
My prediction is Nebraska wins 31-20.