Get ready for a “blackout” at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night as the Nebraska Cornhuskers host the USC Trojans in a pivotal Big Ten matchup.
The Trojans remain in the hunt for a Big Ten title game berth but will need to prove they can get it done on the road. Meanwhile, the Huskers enter with renewed focus after head coach Matt Rhule signed an extension, silencing speculation about a potential move to Penn State. With that distraction now gone, Nebraska could be primed to pull off a home upset under the lights.
I explain why King Miller will have a big game in my USC vs. Nebraska predictions and college football picks for Saturday, November 1.
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USC vs Nebraska prediction
USC vs Nebraska best bet: King Miller Over 94.5 rushing yards (-114)
The Michigan Wolverines rank 32nd in success rate against the run, and 45th in EPA/rush this season. And Notre Dame ranks 41st and 35th, respectively, in those two metrics.
King Miller had successful outings against both of those defenses.
The USC Trojans running back has done well in the absence of Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders, the two leading backs for the team over the first half of the season. But with both injured, he carried the ball 18 times against both the Wolverines and Fighting Irish.
If he gets that volume against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, he’s going to have a field day. He ran for 158 against Michigan and 70 in the loss to Notre Dame, and the Cornhuskers have nowhere near the success against the run those two programs have.
The Cornhuskers have already allowed 24 runs of 10+ yards in their five Big 10 games. And no team in the conference has allowed more jaunts of 40+ yards on the ground (four).
Nebraska ranks 108th in rushing success and 105th in EPA/rush. And given how well the defense has done against the pass this season, it makes sense for Lincoln Riley to utilize Miller early and often to open things up for Jayden Maiava.
Northwestern, Minnesota, and Michigan each had backs go for between 124 and 149 rushing yards. The Cornhuskers won’t be able to load the box due to Maiava’s arm, and that will allow Miller to become the fourth conference opponent to hit the century mark on the ground this season against them.
USC vs Nebraska same-game parlay
The success on the ground, combined with the cold temps in Lincoln on Saturday night, should play a role in Maiava having a quieter night than usual. This Nebraska secondary will be the best he has faced this season, ranked Top 20 in passing success and 23rd in EPA/pass.
It will be a "blackout" in Lincoln, with the Cornhuskers rocking the all-black unis. The atmosphere should be electric, and I expect both teams to come out running the ball early with how each struggles at times to defend it. That will lend itself to a very competitive first quarter, with Nebraska tied or leading after 15 minutes.
USC vs Nebraska 3-leg SGP
- King Miller Over 94.5 rushing yards
- Jayden Maiava Under 266.5 passing yards
- Nebraska +1.5 1Q
Our deep-ball SGP: USC wins low-scoring bout
USC has often underperformed on the road under Riley, but Matt Rhule also can’t seem to win the big one at Nebraska. The Trojans rank 10th defensively in points allowed per quality drive, and the Huskers have had issues finishing drives.
USC vs Nebraska 5-leg SGP
- King Miller Over 94.5 rushing yards
- Jayden Maiava Under 266.5 passing yards
- Nebraska +1.5 1Q
- Under 58.5
- USC moneyline
USC vs Nebraska game predictions
USC vs Nebraska moneyline prediction
USC is the better team here. The Trojans have an amazing offense and solid defense, and simply convert chances more often than Nebraska.
USC vs Nebraska spread prediction
I’m very conflicted on this spread, but I lean Nebraska. I liked it a lot more when the Huskers were getting nearly a touchdown though, and if you can get them at six or more again, I’d jump on it.
USC vs Nebraska Over/Under prediction
I like the Under here. The cold weather lends itself to lower-scoring affairs with more emphasis on the ground game, and I’m not sure how the Trojans will handle it after practicing in SoCal all week.
USC vs Nebraska odds
- Spread: USC -4.5 | Nebraska +4.5
- Moneyline: USC -196 | Nebraska +164
- Over/Under: Over 58.5 | Under 58.5
USC vs Nebraska trend to know
USC has hit the 1H Under in six straight away games (+6.00 Units / 90% ROI). Find more college football betting trends for USC vs Nebraska.
How to watch USC vs Nebraska
| Location | Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE |
| Date | Saturday, November 1, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC |
USC vs Nebraska latest injuries
USC vs Nebraska weather
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