The Nebraska Cornhuskers will open their 2025 season this Thursday night in Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium against the Cincinnati Bearcats in what should be one of the more intriguing non conference matchups of the early season. Both programs are looking to make a statement, and Nebraska will have its hands full against a Cincinnati team that is physical up front and experienced across the board.
The key to this game for Nebraska is simple, the offensive line has to show up early. If the Huskers control the trenches, quarterback Dylan Raiola will have the chance to pick apart a slower Cincinnati secondary. The Bearcats defensive backs are seasoned and steady, but they lack the top end athleticism that Nebraska has at wide receiver. Raiola and his playmakers will be ready to exploit mismatches if given time to operate.
That time will not come easy. Cincinnati’s defensive line is the strength of its team, and it starts with Dontay Corleone. The 6 foot 2, 320 pound defensive tackle is one of the most dominant players in the Big 12. Powerful, agile, and relentless, Corleone has built a reputation as a true game wrecker who sets the physical tone for the Bearcats defense. He is also a hometown product from Cincinnati, which adds even more emotion to his performance in a matchup like this.
Corleone is not alone. Cincinnati lines up two veteran defensive ends alongside him in Virginia Tech transfer CJ McCray and senior Rob Jackson, a 6 foot 4, 275 pound edge rusher. Together, this unit will be the second best defensive front Nebraska will see all season, and stopping them is the number one priority for the Huskers on offense.
On the flip side, Nebraska’s defense will be tested by a dangerous duo in tight end Joe Royer and quarterback Brandon Sorsby. Royer earned a spot on the preseason All Big 12 team and is a complete weapon. With his size, reliable hands, and precise route running, he is a nightmare matchup for linebackers and a security blanket for the quarterback. Just as important, Royer is also an excellent blocker, which pairs well with the skill set of his quarterback.
Sorsby, the Indiana transfer, is a true dual threat. At 6 foot 3 and 235 pounds, he brings a physical running style to go with a live arm. In 2024, he threw for over 2,800 yards and 18 touchdowns while also making plays on the ground. Nebraska struggled with mobile quarterbacks last season, and this will be a major test to see if that weakness has been corrected under the new defensive staff. Every snap with Sorsby is a threat for either a big throw or a scramble, and containing him will be critical.
The Bearcats have also bolstered their offense with three transfer wide receivers and former Wisconsin running back Tawee Walker, giving them more balance and depth than many expect. Cincinnati has the pieces to be a formidable squad in the Big 12 this year, and Thursday will be their chance to prove it.
For Nebraska, this game is more than just a season opener. It is a statement opportunity. A chance to show that the offensive line has turned the corner, that Raiola is ready to elevate the program, and that the defense is built to contain athletic quarterbacks. For Cincinatti this is a season maker, if they win this game, they have a very good chance to win the Big 12 as Nebraska will most likely be the best team they face all year. Nebraska has more to lose in this game, while Cincinatti had more to gain.
Expect a battle early, especially in the trenches, but Nebraska has more weapons on the outside and enough depth to wear Cincinnati down as the game progresses. If the Huskers establish a run game early, this could be a surprising start to the season and a tone setter. By the fourth quarter, the Huskers should begin to pull away. My prediction may be a bit heavy for the Huskers in this one but I believe that Nebraska holds the advantage in every position group, yes even the defensive line. In a game that is exactly what fans in Nebraska have been looking for over the past 15 years the Huskers put a beating on Cincinatti.
Prediction: Nebraska 41, Cincinnati 17.