https://collegefootballnews.com/college-football/nebraska-vs-northwestern-prediction-preview-2025
Nebraska vs. Northwestern Game Preview, Prediction
by Pete Fiutak, CollegeFootballNews.com
Northwestern has flown under the radar, Nebraska looked mediocre last week, and now, with both at 5-2, both need this win to not only lock down a bowl game, but also potentially come up with a big season.
The Wildcats hold the distinction of being the last team to beat UCLA, kicking off a run of four straight wins with a chance to get bowl eligible after being the last straw in James Franklin's Penn State era, and last week shutting out Purdue.
But they have to go to USC and Illinois, and deal with Michigan and Minnesota. Lose this and it'll take some work to get bowling.
Any interest in Nebraska right now is about whether or not the head coach is a real candidate for the Penn State job (he likely isn't).
The team looked awful in a 24-6 loss to Minnesota, and with USC, UCLA, Penn State, and Cockeye to go, getting to a bowl game will take some work if it doesn't get this done in Lincoln.
Northwestern at Nebraska
Saturday, October 25 - 12:00 PM (ET) - FS1
Why Northwestern Will Win
The Wildcats are good at staying in their comfort zone.
They aren't taking any big chances, the defense is holding up well, and the running game is just effective enough to take the pressure off of everything else.
They're great at controlling games by keeping the chains moving, leading the Big Ten in time of possession. That should continue as long as Preston Stone can be just a little bit sharper than he was last week against Purdue.
Nebraska has had a hard time over the last two weeks closing down the short-range passes, but .........
Why Nebraska Will Win
....Stone is usually steady, but he couldn't seem to hit much of anything in the 19-0 win over Purdue.
The Huskers have to open it up a little bit more. Dylan Raiola didn't have a ton of help in the loss to Minnesota, but as long as he gets a little time, he should be able to stretch a Northwestern defense that hasn't been pushed too much by an downfield passing games.
The Wildcats keep good quarterbacks under wraps, but they don't have much of a pass rush for Raiola to worry about. They need to push Northwestern out of its comfort zone, and it has the defense to do that. But ......
What Will Happen
.......Northwestern's style should keep this close throughout.
Nebraska has to be patient. It can't take any chances, field position will matter, and the D has to take the ball away.
In typical Northwestern fashion, it can't afford mistakes. It gave up seven turnovers in the losses to Tulane and Oregon, and Purdue was able to stay in it last week with two takeaways.
Nebraska hasn't been able to force takeaways over the last two games. For the second week in a row, the inability of the Huskers to run the ball will come back to bite them.
Prediction
Northwestern 23, Nebraska 20
Spread
Nebraska is favored at home by 7.5 points
Nebraska vs. Northwestern Game Preview, Prediction
by Pete Fiutak, CollegeFootballNews.com
Northwestern has flown under the radar, Nebraska looked mediocre last week, and now, with both at 5-2, both need this win to not only lock down a bowl game, but also potentially come up with a big season.
The Wildcats hold the distinction of being the last team to beat UCLA, kicking off a run of four straight wins with a chance to get bowl eligible after being the last straw in James Franklin's Penn State era, and last week shutting out Purdue.
But they have to go to USC and Illinois, and deal with Michigan and Minnesota. Lose this and it'll take some work to get bowling.
Any interest in Nebraska right now is about whether or not the head coach is a real candidate for the Penn State job (he likely isn't).
The team looked awful in a 24-6 loss to Minnesota, and with USC, UCLA, Penn State, and Cockeye to go, getting to a bowl game will take some work if it doesn't get this done in Lincoln.
Northwestern at Nebraska
Saturday, October 25 - 12:00 PM (ET) - FS1
Why Northwestern Will Win
The Wildcats are good at staying in their comfort zone.
They aren't taking any big chances, the defense is holding up well, and the running game is just effective enough to take the pressure off of everything else.
They're great at controlling games by keeping the chains moving, leading the Big Ten in time of possession. That should continue as long as Preston Stone can be just a little bit sharper than he was last week against Purdue.
Nebraska has had a hard time over the last two weeks closing down the short-range passes, but .........
Why Nebraska Will Win
....Stone is usually steady, but he couldn't seem to hit much of anything in the 19-0 win over Purdue.
The Huskers have to open it up a little bit more. Dylan Raiola didn't have a ton of help in the loss to Minnesota, but as long as he gets a little time, he should be able to stretch a Northwestern defense that hasn't been pushed too much by an downfield passing games.
The Wildcats keep good quarterbacks under wraps, but they don't have much of a pass rush for Raiola to worry about. They need to push Northwestern out of its comfort zone, and it has the defense to do that. But ......
What Will Happen
.......Northwestern's style should keep this close throughout.
Nebraska has to be patient. It can't take any chances, field position will matter, and the D has to take the ball away.
In typical Northwestern fashion, it can't afford mistakes. It gave up seven turnovers in the losses to Tulane and Oregon, and Purdue was able to stay in it last week with two takeaways.
Nebraska hasn't been able to force takeaways over the last two games. For the second week in a row, the inability of the Huskers to run the ball will come back to bite them.
Prediction
Northwestern 23, Nebraska 20
Spread
Nebraska is favored at home by 7.5 points
