The spring practice season for the Nebraska Cornhuskers officially came to a close on Saturday, April 26, with the Inaugural Husker Games. It was the first time in multiple decades that the Huskers did not have the annual Red-White spring game, which was caused by the new age of college football with NIL and the Transfer Portal. Nebraska wasn’t the only school to move away from a traditional spring game but it is certainly something that could continue to happen if rules are not put into place.
Throughout spring practice, the Huskers worked on continuing to build off of success of last season where they clinched bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016 and won their first bowl game since 2015. Like usual, there is a lot of hype (and hope) around the program to get back to contending for conference and national championships, especially with the speculated “third-year jump” that has come from coach Matt Rhule’s past two stops in college football.
2025 Nebraska Football Post Spring Projection
2025 Schedule
Aug. 30 – Cincinnati (Neutral Site: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo)
Sept. 6 – Akron
Sept. 13 – Houston Christian
Sept. 20 – Michigan
Sept. 27 – BYE WEEK
Oct. 4 – Michigan State
Oct. 11 – at Maryland
Oct. 18 – at Minnesota
Oct. 25 – Northwestern
Nov. 1 – USC
Nov. 8 – at UCLA
Nov. 15 – BYE WEEK
Nov. 22 – at Penn State
Nov. 28 (Fri) – Iowa
Cincinnati Bearcats
2024 record: 5-7 (3-6 XII)
Date: Thursday, Aug. 28, TBA
Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo
Nebraska kicks off the 2025 campaign against the Cincinnati Bearcats and it will be a good test to start the third year of the Rhule era. The Bearcats started the 2024 season with a 5-2 record with momentum looking like they’d make it to the bowl season. However, Cincinnati lost five straight games and missed the postseason.
For the 2025 season, the Bearcats have expected win total of 6.5 wins according to sportsbooks. They are lead by senior quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who headlines a total of 68 percent of returning production from 2024, ranking in the top 15. Despite this, it seems that the Bearcats are expected to underperform in 2025 due to a tough schedule.
This should be a good test for Nebraska to kick off the campaign. Rhule and Huskers should be able to take care of business against coach Scott Satterfield’s Cincinnati team and start 1-0 before a four-game home stand.
Prediction: 27-17Â
Record: 1-0
Akron Zips
2024 Record: 4-8 (3-5 MAC)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 6, TBA
Location: Memorial Stadium
The Huskers host the Akron Zips out of the Mid-American Conference for their first home game of the season. The Zips have been one of the worst teams in the conference, only winning 11 games since 2019. Akron had a tough season in 2024, only winning four games, but ended the season on a good note with an upset 21-14 win over the Toledo Rockets in overtime. Senior quarterback Ben Finley is expected to be the starter for the Zips in 2025, who started majority of games last season. All things considered, this should be a big Nebraska win and will move to 2-0.
Prediction: 38-7
Record: 2-0
Houston Christian Huskies
2024 Record: 5-7 (3-4 SLC)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 13, TBA
Location: Memorial Stadium
For their last non-conference game, the Huskers host the FCS Houston Christian Huskies for the first time, who went 5-7 in 2024. Nebraska has never lost to an FCS opponent and it more than likely not happen in 2025. The Huskers should take care of business easily.
Prediction: 49-13
Record: 3-0
Michigan Wolverines
2024 Record: 8-5 (5-4 B1G)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 20, TBA
Location: Memorial Stadium
To begin Big Ten Conference play, the Huskers host the Michigan Wolverines for arguably one of the toughest home games of the season. After winning the College Football Playoff National Championship during the 2023-24 season, the Wolverines had a disappointing season. However, Michigan ended the season with momentum after defeating Ohio State in the final game of the regular season and the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Reliaquest Bowl.
The Wolverines have a lot of hype going into the 2025 season after landing the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class in quarterback Bryce Underwood. Even despite losing multiple key defensive players to the NFL Draft, Michigan should still be strong on that side of the ball.
This will be a tough game for Nebraska and could go either way but until it shows it can defeat top teams, Nebraska will fall short against the Wolverines.
Prediction: 24-27
Record: 3-1
Michigan State Spartans
2024 record: 5-7 (3-6 B1G)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 4, TBA
Location: Memorial Stadium
After taking the first loss of the season to the Wolverines, the Huskers take on the Michigan State Spartans for the final game of the four game homestand. The Spartans are coming off the first season of the Jonathan Smith era and are looking to improve as a whole. The first season started off well for Smith and Michigan State but after a horrendous performance against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, losing 41 to 14 to miss out on a bowl game for the third straight season.
Looking ahead at the 2025 season, the Spartans have a projected win total at only 4.5 games, which is the same as last year. Michigan State returns starting junior quarterback Aidan Chiles, who transferred to East Lansing along from Oregon State along with Smith. Chiles had a decent season for the Spartans, completing 192 of 323 passes for 2,415 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Obviously, it is expected that the junior quarterback will improve in 2025 and should be able to lead a more improved Spartans offense.
It will be important for Nebraska to not take this game lightly, despite the less than ideal expectations for Michigan State. However, coach Rhule and the Huskers are in a better spot than the Spartans and with the game being at home, this should be a victory for Nebraska.
Prediction: 28-17
Record: 4-1
Maryland Terrapins
2024 Record: 4-8 (1-8)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 11, TBA
Location: SECU Stadium, College Park, Md
After the homestand, the Huskers will head on their first road game of the season to the east coast to take on the Maryland Terrapins. The Terrapins are coming off a rough season, going 4-8 after back to back eight win seasons in 2022 and 2023. The 2025 season will be very crucial for coach Mike Locksley, who has done well on the recruiting trail but has yet to get a 9+ win season.
Locksley was able to bring in former Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Jalil Farooq, who will bring some help to the Terrapins offense. Maryland will have a new quarterback in 2025. Former junior UCLA quarterback Justyn Martin transferred to the Terrapins and will be a serious candidate to be the starter this upcoming season.
This game could be a trap game for the Huskers but they should be able to get the job done on the road in College Park.
Prediction: 35-20
Record: 5-1
Main Image: © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
