Nebraska vs. Minnesota Predictions, Picks & Odds Week 1: The Matt Rhule Era Set to Begin
A new era begins at Nebraska, which opens its season with a challenging matchup against Minnesota. Here are our best Nebraska vs. Minnesota predictions based on the best college football odds.
In their previous encounter last season, the Minnesota Golden Gophers ventured into Lincoln with determination, scrapping their way to a hard-fought 20-13 triumph. That victory extended their three-game winning streak - each by a seven-point margin - against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Moreover, it etched in stone their fourth consecutive conquest in this head-to-head rivalry.
As the 2023 season dawns, the Golden Gophers remain poised to uphold their defense-first approach, a hallmark that propelled them to a tie for the third-best ranking in points allowed throughout 2022.
On the other hand, the Cornhuskers struggled to define their identity in the past year. However, there's some optimism as they enter this new chapter with the appointment of Matt Rhule as their head coach during the offseason.
The pivotal question looms: Can Rhule swiftly imprint his influence in Lincoln, or will the Golden Gophers effortlessly stretch their winning streak to five?
Here is our best Nebraska vs. Minnesota prediction and college football picks (odds via our best college football betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Nebraska vs. Minnesota prediction: Week 1
Under 43.5 (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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In 2022, the Cornhuskers managed to surpass the 20-point mark against Big Ten opponents on just three occasions. With the addition of Jeff Sims, a transfer from the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, at the quarterback position, their offensive dynamics are poised for a change. However, the alteration in personnel doesn't guarantee an improvement in performance. Throughout the previous season, Sims faced challenges, throwing for under 200 yards in five out of seven games, and his rushing yardage never breached the 100-yard mark.
Sims will face an immediate test in Week 1 against Minnesota. The Golden Gophers’ defense is stout, and they return most of the key talent that made them so successful a season ago.
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But it’s hard to love the Golden Gophers as touchdown favorites for our college football Week 1 predictions because their offense simply isn’t very good. Like the Cornhuskers, they struggled against Big Ten competition last season, and though starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis showed potential down the stretch, he’s far from a sure thing heading into the season opener.
Therefore, we’re going with the Under. Neither one of these teams showed that they could score in the 20s with any type of consistency last season, and there weren’t enough offseason moves made to signal that change ahead of Week 1.
Want more NCAAF picks for Thursday? Shane Jackson shares his favorite college football player props.
Nebraska vs. Minnesota best odds
DraftKings (-110)
| DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | bet365 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 43.5 | Under 42.5 | Under 43.5 | Under 43.5 | Under 43.5 |
| -110 | -105 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
The best sports betting sites mostly agree with the lines for this game. Each of the five major sportsbooks are showing Minnesota as a 7-point favorite at the moment, with a price of -110.
As for the total, four of the five sportsbooks have the number listed at 43.5. Only FanDuel has the number listed lower at 42.5. If the price for this 42.5 was +100, then it would be worth considering, but at just -105, it’s safer to just take the extra point.
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Nebraska vs. Minnesota odds
Nebraska vs. Minnesota odds analysis
The Golden Gophers opened as 7.5-point favorites. Maybe bettors really think that Matt Rhule is going to be the difference maker, because the spread has dropped to 7 across the board, and 59% of wagers are backing the Cornhuskers. It’s worth noting that even though the Golden Gophers have dominated this series of late, only one of their four wins was by more than seven.
As for the total, there has been very little movement. The line opened at 43.5, and that is where it has stayed everywhere except for FanDuel. A slight majority of bettors are backing the Over, as 52% of wagers expect more than 43.5 points to be scored. At this point, bettors are calling this total a toss-up, which is not surprising considering how low the number is.
Nebraska vs. Minnesota game info
- When: Thursday, Aug. 31, 8 p.m. ET
- Where: Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
- How to watch: FOX
- Weather: 67 degrees, 12-mph winds, 56% chance of precipitation
Nebraska-Minnesota pick made on 08/29/2023 at 11:20 a.m. ET.
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