Friday nights in the Big Ten have proven to be quite unpredictable this season, and this Week 8 matchup featuring #25 Nebraska and Minnesota is no exception. Nebraska hasn’t won in Minneapolis since 2015, and although they’re the ranked team with potential playoff hopes, this game appears more challenging than the betting line indicates.

Minnesota has been a consistent challenge for Nebraska, having won five consecutive games in this rivalry. Now, they’re receiving more than a touchdown at home during a short week, which presents a prime betting opportunity for this week’s #25 Nebraska vs. Minnesota picks.

#25 Nebraska vs. Minnesota Predictions for College Football Week 8, Friday, 10/17

The Huskers stand at 5-1 and are moving closer to national recognition, while the Gophers are tough, determined, and eager to secure a significant victory at home. Home underdogs have excelled under the Friday night lights this season, and Minnesota seems ready to continue that trend.

While the Gophers may not secure an outright victory, the +7.5 spread at home offers excellent value for #25 Nebraska vs. Minnesota predictions. This is a Nebraska team that’s likely to encounter a close matchup, just as they have each week during conference play.

 

 

 

#25 Nebraska vs. Minnesota Spread Pick: Golden Gophers +7.5 (-110 at Novig)

Nebraska’s 5-1 record is respectable, but the Huskers have been in precarious situations recently. They narrowly defeated Maryland 34-31 despite committing three turnovers, and although their defense is statistically strong against the pass, it can still be overpowered on the ground. Minnesota may lack the explosive offense to dominate opponents, but they can make games messy, create turnovers, and rely on their defense to stay competitive.

This is a challenging scheduling situation for Nebraska as well. They’re coming off a tough road victory on the East Coast and now have to travel again on a short week. To complicate matters, there are ongoing rumors linking head coach Matt Rhule to the Penn State job, adding enough distractions to hinder a smooth performance.

On the other hand, Minnesota is at home, well-coached, and ready to capitalize on opportunities. Although the Gophers may struggle with their running game — their ground offense has been inconsistent throughout most of Big Ten play — quarterback Drake Lindsey has managed to keep the offense steady by avoiding major errors. 

The Gophers rank among the best in the conference for fewest penalties and turnovers, which is crucial against a Nebraska team that tends to take risks when under pressure.

On the other side, Nebraska's freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola has shown brilliance at times — achieving 73% completion, over 1,500 yards, and 16 touchdowns in six games — yet he’s also thrown five interceptions and can become careless when pressured. Minnesota’s pass rush may not be formidable, but it’s disciplined enough to unsettle him.

The Gophers’ defense may not be top-tier, but it is tenacious. They forced four turnovers in their victory over Purdue and have a tendency to keep games competitive into the final quarter. Against a dynamic Huskers passing game, expect Minnesota to adopt zone coverage, compel short throws, and aim to take advantage of one or two errors from Raiola.

While yes, Nebraska is ranked and on a roll, the Huskers’ offense isn’t as well-rounded as it appears. Running back Emmett Johnson has shown promise (176 yards against Maryland), but the running game hasn’t been consistently overpowering. When Nebraska cannot depend on big runs, it increases the pressure on Raiola to sustain drives — and that’s when errors tend to occur.

On the defensive side, Nebraska has excelled against the pass (ranking No. 1 nationally in yards allowed), but that statistic is somewhat misleading due to facing teams that either couldn’t or didn’t need to pass much.

Earlier in the season, Michigan and Cincinnati exploited the Huskers on the ground, and Minnesota could quietly take advantage of that vulnerability if their offensive line performs well.

This matchup resembles a classic “survive and advance” scenario for Nebraska. They possess the superior quarterback and more overall talent, but road fatigue, careless play, and a highly motivated Gopher crowd could keep the game close for all four quarters.

The Huskers could come out on top, but the spread feels too large considering the circumstances and the unknown factors. If Minnesota can win the turnover battle and limit Nebraska to under 30 points, our #25 Nebraska vs. Minnesota predictions believe they should be able to cover the spread comfortably — and might even pose a late-upset threat.

 

 

 

How To Watch #25 Nebraska vs. Minnesota College Football Week 8

  • Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
  • Time: 8:00 PM ET
  • Location: Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
  • TV: FOX

#25 Nebraska vs. Minnesota Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

As we look into our #25 Nebraska vs. Minnesota predictions, we’re excited to share the most recent #25 Nebraska vs. Minnesota odds from Novig for this thrilling matchup:

  • Money Line (ML): Cornhuskers -310 | Golden Gophers +250
  • Spread: Cornhuskers -7.5 (-110) | Golden Gophers +7.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 47.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

 

 

 

#25 Nebraska vs. Minnesota Injury Report & Latest News

Nebraska Injury Report

  • M. Hartzog Jr. (CB) – Out, Undisclosed
  • W. McGahee IV (LB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • T. Alvano (K) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • J. Marks (OG) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • T. Terry (DL) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • J. Parker (RB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • D. Bell (WR) – Questionable, Knee
  • C. Connealy (DL) – Out, Undisclosed
  • N. Fennessy (OG) – Out, Undisclosed
  • M. Simpson (DL) – Out, Undisclosed
  • T. Uhlir (RB) – Out, Undisclosed
  • J. Bonner (WR) – Out, Undisclosed
  • G. Pyle (OG) – Out, Knee
  • B. Hill (CB) – Out, Knee
  • G. Stenger (LB) – Out, Undisclosed
  • M. Markway (TE) – Out, Knee

Minnesota Injury Report

  • D. Shipp (OG) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • N. Parrish (CB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • S. Henson (K) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • M. Gerald (CB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • T. Randle (DL) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • C. Driver (WR) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • A. Gousby (CB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • A. Turner (RB) – Out, Undisclosed
  • D. Wilson (LB) – Out, Undisclosed
  • M. Omonode (DL) – Out, Undisclosed

 

 

 

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