Northwestern at Nebraska Game Matchup
Northwestern logo Northwestern Wildcats at Nebraska CornhuskersNebraska logo
Saturday, October 25th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Memorial Stadium - Lincoln, NE  (Big Ten)

 
Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach David Braun (12 - 13)
Avg Score : 18 - 26 (18 - 29 on Road)
Record Prediction: 3.7 - 8.3 (#124)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 4) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)
NEB is playing their 4th straight game
NW is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Nebraska -16.5   (SP+ NEB -15)
Projected Score: NW: 14 - NEB: 31 (44)
NEB Win prob: 90% | Cover: 54%
NW Travel: 474 miles
Cornhuskers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Matt Rhule (11 - 13)
Avg Score : 24 - 20 (29 - 16 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8 - 4 (#30)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 3) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 4)
 
Northwestern's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Northwestern at Tulane+7.00.0
Sat 9/6 Northwestern vs Western Illinois-21.5
Sat 9/13 Northwestern vs Oregon+26.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Northwestern vs UCLA+2.5
Sat 10/4 Northwestern vs UL Monroe-15.5
Sat 10/11 Northwestern at Penn State+33.5
Sat 10/18 Northwestern vs Purdue-13
Sat 10/25 Northwestern at Nebraska+16.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/8 Northwestern at USC+15.5
Sat 11/15 Northwestern vs Michigan+21
Sat 11/22 Northwestern vs Minnesota+9
Sat 11/29 Northwestern at Illinois+18.5

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 0, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 0, Poor 3
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Northwestern's Schedule
Nebraska's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Wed 8/27 Nebraska vs Cincinnati-6.550.5
Sat 9/6 Nebraska vs Akron-33.5
Sat 9/13 Nebraska vs Houston Christian-35.5
Sat 9/20 Nebraska vs Michigan+7
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 Nebraska vs Michigan State-11
Sat 10/11 Nebraska at Maryland-12
Sat 10/18 Nebraska at Minnesota+0.5
Sat 10/25 Nebraska vs Northwestern-16.5
Sat 11/1 Nebraska vs USC-3.5
Sat 11/8 Nebraska at UCLA-6.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 Nebraska at Penn State+19.5
Fri 11/28 Nebraska vs Iowa-3

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Nebraska's Schedule

Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NW#129 (.02)37% (123)17.839% (113)2.63 (124)9936% (116)1863.02 (127)#57 (.15)45% (106)26.344% (80)46% (117)3.74 (64)38.81.51.3
NEB#74 (.18)45% (37)23.548% (22)3.21 (40)12143% (55)2103.38 (114)#44 (.13)40% (50)19.539% (24)42% (82)3.06 (11)48.91.31.2
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NW0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
NEB0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NW Offense1217.817.637.1%3.021.516285991863.445%54%39%36%19%.02
NEB Defense1319.515.740.3%3.061.2 - - - - - 47%52%39%42%18%.13
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NW Defense1226.328.845%3.741.3 - - - - - 47%53%44%46%15%.15
NEB Offense1323.529.145%3.381.3203311212103.848%51%48%43%16%.18

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Northwestern1229:491633%50%4.838.81.51.34.81.9328
Nebraska1329:4320.143%32%5.748.91.31.25.72327.2
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NW Offense1245% (106)39% (113)29.398.63.412 (114).07 (102)2.63 (124)66% (112)11% (98)1.1 (20)
NEB Defense1347% (29)39% (24) - - - - -.01 (9)2.72 (26)69% (40)12% (33)0.9 (32)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NW Defense1247% (26)44% (80) - - - - .07 (42)2.99 (63)69% (47)8% (107)0.86 (15)
NEB Offense1348% (80)48% (22)31.7121.13.820 (67).18 (38)3.21 (40)83% (8)10% (71)0.89 (105)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NW Offense1254% (31)36% (116)17.632.7186.15.710.67 (130)11 (72).02 (132)1.3 (134)35% (119)31% (79).2 (109)8% (121)1.8 (119)
NEB Defense1352% (101)42% (82) - - - - - - 11 (52).28 (88)1.6 (89)33% (52)31% (80).37 (96)6% (55)2.2 (98)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NW Defense1253% (110)46% (117) - - - - - - 10 (66).25 (77)1.4 (13)27% (128)35% (116).28 (55)7% (33)1.8 (24)
NEB Offense1351% (57)43% (55)20.331209.56.810.312 (118)11 (72).21 (91)1.4 (132)28% (18)34% (45).31 (79)6% (67)1.8 (125)

Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: 2.03 #60
Northwestern's Offense Rating: 11.09 #87
Northwestern's Defense Rating: 9.06 #32
2025 Talent Rating: 826.00 #40
Blue Chip Ratio: 3% #61
Northwestern's 2025 Expected Record: 3.7 - 8.3
Northwestern's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -6.1 #87
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.7 #129
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.8 #39

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.44
Average Power Five Talent: 861.13
Average FBS Talent: 684.24

Power Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: 2.03   Nebraska: 14.26

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: -6.1   Nebraska: 8.9




Nebraska's Power Ratings
Nebraska's Power Rating: 14.26 #21
Nebraska's Offense Rating: 21.32 #29
Nebraska's Defense Rating: 6.70 #24
2025 Talent Rating: 990.00 #12
Blue Chip Ratio: 22 #23
Nebraska's 2025 Expected Record: 8.0 - 4.0
Nebraska's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 8.9 #34
Nebraska's Offense SP+ Rating: 26.3 #75
Nebraska's Defense SP+ Rating: 17.4 #17

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.44
Average Power Five Talent: 861.13
Average FBS Talent: 684.24


Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 17.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 17.6
Defense: 26.3 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.8

Northwestern's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Nebraska 31
Northwestern 14

Projected Total Points: 44
Nebraska Scoring
Offense: 23.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 29.1
Defense: 19.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 15.7

Nebraska's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202310/21Nebraska17Northwestern9NebraskaNebraska -10.5Northwestern40.0Under
202208/27Northwestern31Nebraska28NorthwesternNebraska -12Northwestern52.5Over
202110/02Nebraska56Northwestern7NebraskaNebraska -11Nebraska51.5Over
202011/07Northwestern21Nebraska13NorthwesternNorthwestern -4Northwestern53.0Under
201910/05Nebraska13Northwestern10NebraskaNebraska -7.5Northwestern48.5Under
201810/13Northwestern34Nebraska31NorthwesternNorthwestern -3Push59.0Over
201711/04Nebraska24Northwestern31NorthwesternNebraska -1Northwestern55.5Under
201609/24Northwestern13Nebraska24NebraskaNebraska -6.5Nebraska48.0Under
201510/24Nebraska28Northwestern30NorthwesternNebraska -6.5Northwestern50.0Over
201410/18Northwestern17Nebraska38NebraskaNebraska -6.5Nebraska0
201311/02Nebraska27Northwestern24NebraskaNebraska -7Northwestern0
201210/20Northwestern28Nebraska29Nebraska
201111/05Nebraska25Northwestern28Northwestern
200012/29Nebraska66Northwestern17Nebraska
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Nebraska834 Overs
Northwestern675 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams8 - 63 - 72 - 51 - 2
Road Teams6 - 87 - 32 - 15 - 2

(#60) Northwestern Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 2.03 #60
Offense Rating: 11.09 #87
Defense Rating: 9.06 #32
Overall SP+ Rating: -6.1 #87
Offense SP+ Rating: 17.7 #129
Defense SP+ Rating: 23.8 #39
Talent Rating: 826.00 #40
Blue Chip Ratio: 3% #61
Expected Record: 3.7 - 8.3

Team Profile
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 37%
Awful Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 3.02 PPO
Awful Run Success 39%
Awful Pass Success 36%
Avg OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Poor Sacks/Turnovers
Poor Defense Success Rate of 45%
Avg in Scoring Position 3.74 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 44%
Awful Pass Def Success 46%
Bad Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Good Field Position


Northwestern Notes
(5/21) Can WR Wilde (FCS SDSU) bring hope?
(5/21) DL is light, but has exp and some pass rush
(5/21) CBs exp'd but avg, Safeties are good though
(5/21) WR complete rebuild. Depth looks meh, huge ?
(5/21) OL 3/5 back, awful LY. 3 portals, OT Tiernan great
(4/4) RB Porter back, some depth. Run game awful LY
(4/4) Def good LY, returns a lot. 3 portal adds
(4/4) HC Braun dropped from 8 to 4 wins in year 2
(3/22) QB likely Stone (SMU), Lausch started LY
Northwestern     Ratings Matchup     Nebraska
Power #60
#21
Off #87
#29
Def #32
#24
Talent #40
#12
SP+ #87
#34
SP+ Off #129
#75
SP+ Def #39
#17

Previous Matchups
Nebraska beat Northwestern in 2023 (17-9)
Northwestern beat Nebraska in 2022 (31-28)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: NW | NEB
Depth Chart: NW | NEB
Rosters: NW | NEB
(#21) Nebraska Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 14.26 #21
Offense Rating: 21.32 #29
Defense Rating: 6.70 #24
Overall SP+ Rating: 8.9 #34
Offense SP+ Rating: 26.3 #75
Defense SP+ Rating: 17.4 #17
Talent Rating: 990.00 #12
Blue Chip Ratio: 22 #23
Expected Record: 8.0 - 4.0

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 48%
Good Offense Success Rate of 45%
Bad Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 3.38 PPO
Great Run Success 48%
Avg Pass Success 43%
Avg OL Grades, Good OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Good Sacks/Turnovers
Avg Defense Success Rate of 40%
Great in Scoring Position 3.06 PPO
Good Run Def Success 39%
Bad Pass Def Success 42%
Good Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position


Nebraska Notes
(5/16) OL returns good prod, added 35% via portal
(5/2) DL is a concern, lost all 4 starters. 3 portal adds
(4/5) WR Barney a weapon, Key (UK)/Hunter (Cal) big
(4/5) RB Johnson looks good, do they have depth?
(3/28) Holgo wants tempo/pace. Ball out quick
(3/19) QB Raiola, 13 TD/18 TO. Must improve TY
(3/19) OL 3/5 back. 2 portals (Bama/ND) help. Avg LY
(3/19) Def was good LY, 5 portal adds. New DC
(3/19) OC Holgorsen much better than Satterfield
(3/19) DC Butler a journeyman, replaces White (UF)


  
Northwestern's OC Zach Lujan
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jack Lausch15929654%1714785.8
Preston Stone (Tr)305159%421518.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Cam Porter12650164.044
Joseph Himon II5225724.951
Jack Lausch8721322.429
Caleb Komolafe5013902.817
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Griffin Wilde (Tr)6410401016.360
Cam Porter2317407.628
Frank Covey IV109809.827
Joseph Himon II159616.422

View Northwestern's Full Roster
Northwestern's DC Tim McGarigle
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mac Uihlein844201
Yanni Karlaftis (Tr)572121
Robert Fitzgerald461100
Damon Walters424002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Aidan Hubbard337671
Anto Saka155440
Michael Kilbane203300
Mac Uihlein844201
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Josh Fussell391005
Fred Davis II (Tr)173004
Evan Smith282003

Nebraska's OC Dana Holgorsen
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dylan Raiola27440967%280613116.9
Heinrich Haarberg101856%101015.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Emmett Johnson11759815.142
Jacory Barney Jr.10130313.031
Heinrich Haarberg2510214.113
Janiran Bonner21115.511
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Dane Key (Tr)47715215.242
Nyziah Hunter (Tr)40578514.560
Jacory Barney Jr.5544708.140
Emmett Johnson3827327.229

View Nebraska's Full Roster
Nebraska's DC John Butler
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Marques Watson-Trent (Tr)1188221
DeShon Singleton711003
Malcolm Hartzog452004
Ceyair Wright391116
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Marques Watson-Trent (Tr)1188221
Ceyair Wright391116
Mason Goldman51100
Vincent Shavers Jr.253100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ceyair Wright391116
Marques Buford351005
Malcolm Hartzog452004