Nebraska vs. Minnesota Prediction, Picks & Odds: Who'll Win in College Football Week 8?

Our Nebraska vs. Minnesota prediction and picks outline expectations for the Huskers’ trek to Minneapolis.

With the rumor mill churning about Matt Rhule's status given the situation at Penn State, our college football picks debate whether the Cornhuskers can focus on the task at hand against a team that's been effectively defending home field.

Nebraska is a 7-point betting favorite, and our college football predictions for Week 8 lean into the road team based on the strengths of the Cornhuskers' defense lining up to stifle Minnesota’s best chance at moving the football.

🏈 Nebraska vs. Minnesota prediction

College football picks for Week 8; odds subject to change.

• Game prediction: Nebraska -7 (-110 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Over/Under pick: Over 47.5 (-105 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐

🆚 Who will win Nebraska vs. Minnesota?

Distractions are everywhere for Nebraska this week due to the dot-connecting happening between its head coach and a job opening at his alma mater. But the Cornhuskers boast a major stylistic advantage against Minnesota in this matchup, and they should win handily.

✅ Best Nebraska vs. Minnesota bet

🌽Nebraska -7 (-110) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Though I was initially inclined to lean toward the home underdog due to the potential turmoil in Nebraska's locker room and fear that Rhule could leave for greener pastures, the statistical advantage the Cornhuskers bring into this matchup is substantial. 

Nebraska’s primary weakness is an 87th-ranked run defense that allows 163.8 yards per game, but Minnesota is virtually zero threat to exploit the Cornhuskers in that area. The Golden Gophers average just 83.8 rushing yards per outing (126th in FBS). 

Minnesota faces path of much resistance through the air

Minnesota’s preference offensively is to pass, with freshman QB Drake Lindsey racking up respectable totals in each of the team’s FBS wins. But Nebraska’s pass defense will be fatal to such a pursuit, as the Huskers boast the nation's second-ranked pass defense (128.3 yards per game).

It’s a better statistical pass defense than Ohio State, which suffocated Minnesota during a 42-3 result. The Golden Gophers haven’t lost a home game yet, but they're 1-2-1 against the spread at home.

Most of the best sports betting sites offer Nebraska -7.5. So we’re targeting BetMGM, which is posting Nebraska -7 with -110 odds. The implied probability is 52.38%. A winning $10 wager would profit $9.09.

⚖️ Nebraska vs. Minnesota score prediction: Nebraska 31-Minnesota 20

Track the latest college football scores for line movement and matchup info.

⬆️ Over 47.5 (-105) ⭐⭐⭐

Nebraska engages in a lot of shootouts, even though its defense ranks 32nd in adjusted efficiency, according to ESPN’s FPI. The Cornhuskers haven’t been involved in a game with fewer than 57 total points since their season opener in August.

Minnesota’s offense averages just 19.6 points per matchup against FBS competition, and it should struggle against Nebraska's pass defense. We'll lean on Nebraska’s offense to push this over the total instead then, as the Huskers rank 15th in the nation in scoring average (37.4 PPG).

DraftKings offers the best odds for the Over, with a -105 price on Over 47.5. The implied probability is 51.22%. A winning $10 wager would profit $9.52.

📊 Nebraska vs. Minnesota odds

Latest college football odds updated live in real time.

📺 How to watch Nebraska vs. Minnesota

• Date: Friday, Oct. 17
• Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
• Where: Huntington Bank Stadium (Minneapolis)
• TV: FOX