Northwestern at Nebraska - 2025 Matchup Preview
Northwestern logo   Northwestern Wildcats at Nebraska Cornhuskers  Nebraska logo
Saturday, October 25th 2025 (12:00 PM EDT)
Nebraska -7.5 (44.5) (-270)  Open: -9.5 | 43.5
Nebraska 28 - Northwestern: 21  (Big Ten)

 
Wildcats (7 - 6) (8 - 4 - 1)
Coach David Braun (12 - 13)
Avg Score : 23 - 20 (15 - 26 on Road)
Record Prediction: 6.7 - 6.3 (#71)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 2) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 0)
NEB is playing their 4th straight game
NW is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Nebraska -2  (SP+ NEB -0)

Projected Score: NW: 22 - NEB: 24 (47)
NEB Win prob: 73% | Cover: 49%
NW Travel: 474 miles
Cornhuskers (7 - 6) (4 - 9 - 0)
Coach Matt Rhule (11 - 13)
Avg Score : 29 - 25 (36 - 21 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7.1 - 5.9 (#69)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 2) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 0)
 
Northwestern's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Northwestern at Tulane+6.547.5L 3 - 23UN
Fri 9/5 Northwestern vs Western Illinois-30.548.5W 42 - 7OY
Sat 9/13 Northwestern vs Oregon+25.550.5L 14 - 34UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Northwestern vs UCLA-6.045.5W 17 - 14UN
Sat 10/4 Northwestern vs UL Monroe-12.543.5W 42 - 7OY
Sat 10/11 Northwestern at Penn State+20.546.5W 22 - 21UY
Sat 10/18 Northwestern vs Purdue-3.047.5W 19 - 0UY
Sat 10/25 Northwestern at Nebraska+7.544.5L 21 - 28OY
BYE WEEK
Fri 11/7 Northwestern at USC+14.554.5L 17 - 38ON
Sat 11/15 Northwestern vs Michigan+10.041.5L 22 - 24OY
Sat 11/22 Northwestern vs Minnesota-4.041.0W 38 - 35ON
Sat 11/29 Northwestern at Illinois+7.044.5L 13 - 20UY
Fri 12/26 Northwestern vs Central Michigan-13.543.5W 34 - 7UY

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 3, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 1, Bad: 1, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 0

Predictions for Northwestern's Schedule
Nebraska's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/28 Nebraska vs Cincinnati-6.552.5W 20 - 17UN
Sat 9/6 Nebraska vs Akron-34.047.5W 68 - 0OY
Sat 9/13 Nebraska vs Houston Christian-48.558.5W 59 - 7OY
Sat 9/20 Nebraska vs Michigan+1.547.5L 27 - 30ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 Nebraska vs Michigan State-12.548.5W 38 - 27ON
Sat 10/11 Nebraska at Maryland-7.047.5W 34 - 31ON
Fri 10/17 Nebraska at Minnesota-7.047.5L 6 - 24UN
Sat 10/25 Nebraska vs Northwestern-7.544.5W 28 - 21ON
Sat 11/1 Nebraska vs USC+4.559.5L 17 - 21UY
Sat 11/8 Nebraska at UCLA+1.545.5W 28 - 21OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 Nebraska at Penn State+7.545.5L 10 - 37ON
Fri 11/28 Nebraska vs Iowa+5.538.5L 16 - 40ON
Wed 12/31 Nebraska vs Utah+13.551.5L 22 - 44ON

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 4, Avg 3, Bad 1, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 2, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 2, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 1, 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)23.439% (113)2.63 (124)9936% (116)1863.02 (127)#57 (.15)45% (106)19.844% (80)46% (117)3.74 (64)38.81.51.3
NEB#74 (.18)45% (37)28.748% (22)3.21 (40)12143% (55)2103.38 (114)#44 (.13)40% (50)24.639% (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 Offense1223.415.237.1%3.021.516285991863.445%54%39%36%19%.02
NEB Defense1324.620.940.3%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 Defense1219.82645%3.741.3 - - - - - 47%53%44%46%15%.15
NEB Offense1328.736.145%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  #56
Northwestern's Offense Rating: 12.77  #70
Northwestern's Defense Rating: 10.74  #50
2025 Talent Rating: 840.00  #41
Blue Chip Ratio: 3%  #65
Northwestern's 2025 Expected Record: 6.7 - 6.3
Northwestern's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.8  #51
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.4  #90
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.0  #30

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: 2.03   Nebraska: 5.84

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: 5.8   Nebraska: 6.2




Nebraska's Power Ratings
Nebraska's Power Rating: 5.84  #68
Nebraska's Offense Rating: 11.28  #80
Nebraska's Defense Rating: 10.80  #51
2025 Talent Rating: 986.00  #14
Blue Chip Ratio: 27  #22
Nebraska's 2025 Expected Record: 7.1 - 5.9
Nebraska's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 6.2  #46
Nebraska's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.8  #56
Nebraska's Defense SP+ Rating: 22.7  #44

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 23.4 PPG
Offense on Road: 15.2
Defense: 19.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 26

Northwestern's 2025 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 8 - 4 - 1
Over/Under Record: 6 - 7
Record on Road: 1 - 4
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 2 - 1
Record as Dog vs Spread: 4 - 2 - 1
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 2 - 2 - 0
Projected Score
Nebraska 24
Northwestern 22


Projected Total Points: 47
Nebraska Scoring
Offense: 28.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 36.1
Defense: 24.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 20.9

Nebraska's 2025 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 4 - 9 - 0
Over/Under Record: 10 - 3
Record at home: 4 - 3
Record vs Spread at home: 3 - 4 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 4 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 2 - 2 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202510/25Nebraska28Northwestern21Nebraska -7.5Northwestern44.5Over
202310/21Nebraska17Northwestern9Nebraska -10.5Northwestern40.0Under
202208/27Northwestern31Nebraska28Nebraska -12Northwestern52.5Over
202110/02Nebraska56Northwestern7Nebraska -11Nebraska51.5Over
202011/07Northwestern21Nebraska13Northwestern -4Northwestern53.0Under
201910/05Nebraska13Northwestern10Nebraska -7.5Northwestern48.5Under
201810/13Northwestern34Nebraska31Northwestern -3Push59.0Over
201711/04Nebraska24Northwestern31Nebraska -1Northwestern55.5Under
201609/24Northwestern13Nebraska24Nebraska -6.5Nebraska48.0Under
201510/24Nebraska28Northwestern30Nebraska -6.5Northwestern50.0Over
201410/18Northwestern17Nebraska38Nebraska -6.5Nebraska0
201311/02Nebraska27Northwestern24Nebraska -7Northwestern0
201210/20Northwestern28Nebraska29
201111/05Nebraska25Northwestern28
200012/29Nebraska66Northwestern17
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Nebraska935 Overs
Northwestern685 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams9 - 63 - 82 - 61 - 2
Road Teams6 - 98 - 32 - 16 - 2

(#56) NW at (#68) NEB
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNWNEB
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #56 #68
SP+SP+ #51 #46
Perf GradeGrade #44 #40
OffenseOff #31 #39
DefenseDef #73 #84
Spec TeamsST #97 #4
TalentTal #41 #14
Blue ChipsBC% #65 #22
Northwestern Notes
(11/22) Braun gets NW back to bowl. Great job & rebound
(11/16) Lost 3 straight but competitive in most. Improving
(10/19) Have now won 4 straight, 3 in B1G play. Improving
(10/19) Def shut out Purdue, Run Off great, Run Def good
(10/19) QB Stone has been JAG- though, must game control
(9/14) Good fight w/ Ducks but Off has zero expl
(9/9) Top RB Cam Porter out for the season, ouch
(8/30) Stone 4 Int vs Tulane, Run Off & Run Def awful
(7/23) QB is Stone (SMU), no depth, Lausch retired
(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
Northwestern Injury Report
Nebraska Notes
(12/31) Has lost 30 straight games to ranked opponents.
(12/1) DC John Butler fired after only one season
(11/29) Neb has lost 4+ games every season for 22 years
(11/28) Rhule 2-4 since raise, 7 pt W's vs NW/UCLA. Yikes
(11/28) QB TJ Lateef dreadful vs Iowa. Neb needs portal QB '26
(11/28) Matt Rhule is 2-10 in November at Nebraska
(11/26) QB Raiola threatening portal again. Neb better w/o him
(11/22) Loss to Penn St a huge setback. Program going ?
(11/2) Rhule 0-19 vs top 25, Neb streak is now 0-29
(11/2) QB1 Raiola out for season (broken fibula).
(11/1) Hard L vs USC, Raiola inj, Run Def mauled
(10/29) Rhule signs extension, will remain at Nebraska
Nebraska Injury Report
Northwestern on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffNEB Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #31 #84
SuccessSuc #123 #50
ExplosiveExp #101 #89
PPAPPA #129 #44
PowerPwr #70 #51
SP+SP+ #90 #44
Pts POPPO #127 #11
HavocHav #118 #40
Northwestern Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffNEB Def
Run GameRun #53 #77
Run SuccessRSuc #113 #24
Run ExplRExp #20 #32
PPAExp #102 #9
Run BlockR Blk #15 -
OL YdsOLY #124 #26
Stuff RateStuff #129 #24
TackleTak -  #22
Northwestern Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffNEB Def
Pass GamePass #67 #53
Pass SuccessPSuc #116 #82
Pass ExplPExl #134 #89
PPAExp #132 #88
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #10 #129
F7 HavocF7 #98 #33
DB HavocDB #121 #55
Nebraska on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatNEB OffNW Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #39 #73
SuccessSuc #37 #106
ExplosiveExp #129 #16
PPAPPA #74 #57
PowerPwr #80 #50
SP+SP+ #56 #30
Pts POPPO #114 #64
HavocHav #62 #77
Nebraska Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
NEB OffNW Def
Run GameRun #63 #94
Run SuccessRSuc #22 #80
Run ExplRExp #105 #15
PPAExp #38 #42
Run BlockR Blk #9 -
OL YdsOLY #40 #63
Stuff RateStuff #7 #40
TackleTak -  #100
Nebraska Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatNEB OffNW Def
Pass GamePass #106 #83
Pass SuccessPSuc #55 #117
Pass ExplPExl #132 #13
PPAExp #91 #77
Pass Block/RushP Blk #11 #39
F7 HavocF7 #71 #107
DB HavocDB #67 #33
Program Comparison
NEB 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

NW 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'25 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 9
Nebraska -7.5 (44.5)
Nebraska won vs Northwestern this year (28-21)

Previous Matchups
Nebraska beat Northwestern last year (28-21)
Nebraska beat Northwestern in 2023 (17-9)

  
NW's OC Zach Lujan (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Preston Stone (Tr)22237060%240017126.5
Ryan Boe2729%17012.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Caleb Komolafe190941115.056
Joseph Himon II9948614.937
Dashun Reeder22222110.179
Robby Preckel4214903.514
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Griffin Wilde (Tr)71880812.449
Hayden Eligon Ii37521314.138
Hunter Welcing28296210.636
Ricky Ahumaraeze10200020.035

View Northwestern's Full Roster

NW's DC Tim McGarigle (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Robert Fitzgerald1066014
Mac Uihlein894000
Braydon Brus815344
Braden Turner522012
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Aidan Hubbard2610850
Michael Kilbane428481
Anto Saka134320
Braydon Brus815344
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Josh Fussell291009
Fred Davis II (Tr)221006
Ore Adeyi201005

NEB's OC Dana Holgorsen (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dylan Raiola18125072%20001868.0
TJ Lateef7412360%904517.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Emmett Johnson2511451125.870
Mekhi Nelson2714725.438
Kwinten Ives2013326.728
TJ Lateef4012043.016
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Nyziah Hunter (Tr)43617514.364
Jacory Barney Jr.45484510.852
Dane Key (Tr)39452511.640
Emmett Johnson4637038.056

View Nebraska's Full Roster

NEB's DC John Butler (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Javin Wright869324
DeShon Singleton704124
Rex Guthrie632001
Vincent Shavers Jr.618110
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Javin Wright869324
Williams Nwaneri (Tr)275351
Kade Pietrzak166231
Dasan Mccullough (Tr)215231
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ceyair Wright291105
Donovan Jones592005
Javin Wright869324