Nebraska vs Minnesota Predictions, Picks & Line (Oct. 17)

• Now ranked, can Nebraska make a run at the Big Ten crown?
• Minnesota has won the last five matchups in this series
• Read below for my Nebraska vs Minnesota prediction as well as the betting lines

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A pair of 2-1 teams in a conference battle on Friday night. The No.25 Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-1) head up north to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-2). Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis plays host at 8:00 PM ET on Friday, Oct. 17, on a Fox broadcast.

I’ve locked in my Nebraska vs Minnesota prediction for Friday night and provided the latest betting odds with kickoff looming.

Nebraska vs Minnesota Prediction

• Minnesota +7.5 (-115, FanDuel)

Is Nebraska back? Lincoln is buzzing with their 5-1, top-25 Huskers. Nebraska got off to a hot start, beating presently-ranked Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium before scorching Akron and FCS Houston Baptist. They stumbled in a close loss to Michigan, but they answered back with a pair of conference wins over Michigan State and Maryland. Glancing down its schedule, Nebraska only plays one currently ranked team the rest of the season: a home game against USC.

The name on the lips of every Nebraska fan is Dylan Raiola. He has been sharp this season, firing 16 touchdowns to just five interceptions. He had a spotty week last week, throwing three picks, but he bounced back to lead the Huskers on a game-winning drive on the road.

Dylan Raiola this season in the 4th quarter versus P4 teams: pic.twitter.com/wLbvDhl37u

— Ryan King (@OurDecay) October 14, 2025

Raiola has a nice collection of receivers in Nyziah Hunter, Jacory Barney Jr., and Dane Key. Barney leads the team in catches, Hunter in yards, and it is a tie between Hunter and Key in touchdowns. Tight end Luke Lindenmeyer has also pitched in with 19 catches for 196 yards,

Nebraska’s bellcow Emmett Johnson leads the Big Ten with 105 rush attempts. He has been pretty efficient, rushing for 6.2 yards per carry and finding the end zone seven times. Johnson has an impressive 83.0 PFF rushing grade, averaging over five forced missed tackles per game.

One name to watch on Nebraska’s defense is linebacker Javin Wright. He leads the team with 18 solo tackles, 39 total tackles, and 5.5 tackles for a loss. He also has a half-sack and a pass deflection. Wright has been particularly effective as a run defender, a phase in which he has yet to miss a tackle.

Minnesota opened its slate with wins over Buffalo and FCS Northwestern State before falling on the road against Cal. The Gophers bounced back with a win over Rutgers before becoming mincemeat against No.1 Ohio State. Last week, they took care of a plucky Purdue team with two fourth-quarter touchdowns in seven seconds.

Freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey started particularly hot, but he has cooled off in the last two weeks. He is up to 10 total touchdowns, adding a pair last week, with only three interceptions. The future is bright in Minneapolis.

A solid running back duo in Fame Ijeboi and Darius Taylor flanks Lindsey. Taylor leads the team in rushes, but Ijeboi has been more efficient, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. He has a strong 83.6 PFF rushing grade with 19 forced missed tackles this season.

Excited to see Fame Ijeboi become the next great #Gophers tailback. pic.twitter.com/yo9fzWIiM2

— Noel Thompson (@N0ELTHOMPSON) October 7, 2025

Two Gophers are tied at the top in receiving: Lemeke Brockington and Javon Tracy. Both have 253 yards and a pair of touchdowns with Tracy’s production coming on seven fewer catches. Jalen Smith (21.2 yards per catch) is a great big-play threat, and tight end Jameson Geers leads the team with three touchdowns.

Future mid-round draft pick Anthony Smith has been the Gophers’ top defensive player. He leads the line with 4.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for a loss. Smith is tied for the Big Ten lead with 23 pressures, and his 4.5 sacks are tied for third in the conference.

Nebraska vs Minnesota Pick

• Minnesota +7.5 (-115, FanDuel)

Here are three major reasons why I’m taking Minnesota +7.5:

• Neither team has covered the spread against a Power 4 team this season. However, the motif I am expecting is a one-score game. Out of three Big Ten games, both teams have played a pair of one-score games. I think the Gophers will keep it within +7.5.
• Minnesota is uniquely situated with its coverage unit to blanket Nebraska, much like Cincinnati did in a close Week 1 loss. Minnesota has an 87.7 coverage grade as a unit going against Nebraska’s 81.2 receiving grade.
• Minnesota’s rushing offense will force Nebraska to tackle. The Gophers have forced 6.3 missed tackles per game as runners with both Ijeboi and Taylor posting at least 10 on the season. Nebraska has missed 3.7 tackles per game in run defense. With an effective ground game, Minnesota can keep the game within reach.

Nebraska vs Minnesota Betting Lines

The oddsmakers have Nebraska as solid road favorites, with the total set between 47 and 48 points. Over bettors can get over 47 for -110 odds at Fanatics. Under bettors can get under 48 at BetRivers for -122 odds.

Nebraska bettors should take them -7 at bet365 (-110 odds) or -275 on the moneyline at FanDuel. Minnesota bettors should take them +7.5 at FanDuel (-115 odds) or +240 on the moneyline at BetMGM.

Nebraska vs Minnesota, Last Five Matchups

Minnesota holds a lifetime 37-25-2 record against Nebraska, winning each of the last five matchups. The rivalry has been one of runs as both Minnesota (10) and Nebraska (16) have had double-digit winning streaks at a point. Each of the last four matchups has been decided by one score.

In their most recent matchup, Minnesota won on a last-second field goal. Future Giants draft pick Tyler Nubin had two picks for the Golden Gophers. Both quarterbacks in that matchup are still in college football, with Nebraska’s Jeff Sims now at Arizona State and Minnesota’s Athan Kaliakmanis now at Rutgers.