Week 8 of this college football season is subtly a rivalry week. Tennessee vs. Alabama, USC vs. Notre Dame, and Utah vs. BYU are all distinct rivalries, but don't overlook the story between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers. They have played every season except one since the Cornhuskers joined the Big Ten, with the Gophers winning the last five meetings.
The $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy sounds comical, but its underlying mission to raise money for pediatric healthcare is serious, another layer to the glory of college football rivalries.
My Nebraska vs. Minnesota predictions and college football picks do not exactly expect the Gophers to win their sixth straight in this honorable rivalry, but the chances of that are better than bookmakers are suggesting on Friday, October 17.
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Nebraska vs Minnesota prediction
Nebraska vs Minnesota best bet: Drake Lindsey Over 220.5 passing yards (-114)
The Minnesota Golden Gophers entered the season with a roster complete in talent except for one position group — unfortunately, arguably the most important position group — the offensive line. And that weakness has crippled a Gophers ground game, a cause hampered further by Marshall transfer A.J. Turner’s season-ending injury and star running back Darius Taylor’s hamstring injury.
The run game’s struggles show in the numbers: Minnesota ranks No. 117 in the country in expected points added (EPA) per rush attempt, per CFB-graphs.com. The Gophers average a paltry 3.59 yards per carry and have not gained even 70 yards in any of their last three games. Quite simply, Minnesota cannot run the ball.
But for the most part, it can throw the ball. “For the most part” is a necessary disclaimer as the Gophers failed in all regards against Ohio State, and sophomore quarterback Drake Lindsey did struggle last week against Purdue, most notably throwing a foolish interception.
Yet Lindsey still threw for 232 yards, the third time this season he has eclipsed 220.5 passing yards.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers have an excellent pass defense; opponents thus usually avoid it by relying on the run game, throwing against the Huskers at the 17th-lowest relative frequency rate in the country. But Minnesota has no choice.
This is a hefty ask of Lindsey. He has the raw talent to shine, and if he can avoid any foolish errors, this could be a showcase moment. Regardless, Minnesota’s inability on the ground should boost Lindsey’s gross stats.
Nebraska vs Minnesota same-game parlay
Minnesota has been struggling of late, but P.J. Fleck is acutely aware of what works for this team, relying on Lindsey to make plays.
On the other side of the ball, the Gophers have a few ballhawks in the secondary, and they should capitalize on Dylan Raiola's worst habits. Those turnovers will both limit Nebraska's scoring and slow the game, both aspects helping keep Minnesota within one score.
Nebraska vs Minnesota SGP
- Drake Lindsey Over 220.5 passing yards
- Under 47.5
- Minnesota +7.5
Our deep-ball SGP: Give them the Geers
Minnesota struggles in scoring territory, ranking No. 117 in the country in converting quality drives into points, but Lindsey has found Jameson Geers in the end zone three times this season, leading Gophers receivers. If Minnesota will score at all, Geers is the most likely to make it happen.
Nebraska vs Minnesota SGP
- Drake Lindsey Over 220.5 passing yards
- Under 47.5
- Minnesota +7.5
- Jameson Geers anytime touchdown
Nebraska vs Minnesota odds
- Spread: Nebraska -7.5 | Minnesota +7.5
- Moneyline: Nebraska -320 | Minnesota +260
- Over/Under: Over 47.5 | Under 47.5
Nebraska vs Minnesota trend to know
P.J. Fleck has gone 6-1 outright against Nebraska despite being an underdog in two of those wins and the first victory coming in a pick’em. Find more college football betting trends for Nebraska vs Minnesota.
How to watch Nebraska vs Minnesota
| Location | Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN |
| Date | Friday, October 17, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
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