Write down your name and your prediction for the game next to it. Below that, write a few sentences about why you chose that score and winner!
Miguel Muñoz: Nebraska 20, Northwestern 14
I really want to go with Northwestern here, I do. But playing on the road in an environment like Nebraska will be far from easy. Although the ‘Cats are moving in the right direction — coming off four straight wins — while the Cornhuskers are not after a beatdown at the hands of Minnesota, I still like the Huskers to pull
out a victory at home. I think this one might be more of a defensive battle than most might expect, but star QB Dylan Raiola will eventually come through for Nebraska and grab the win. That said, I can still totally see this going either way. In just his third true road game this season, the question is: will Preston Stone fare more like he did at Penn State or Tulane?
Charlie Jacobs: Nebraska 24, Northwestern 16
Northwestern has been red-hot. Nebraska just lost on the road at Minnesota. The ‘Cats haven’t won in Lincoln since 2017 (was an overtime victory). Dylan Raiola has only gotten better and Minnesota may just be more legit than people think. The Cornhuskers are favored right now at the time of me writing this by 6.5 points for a reason. Has Northwestern been shocking opponents this season and performed better than expected? Yes. But the schedule starts to become a gauntlet for the ‘Cats, and it starts with playing in a tough road environment being Memorial Stadium against a team that is coming off a loss. As much as I want to take NU, I have to go with Nebraska.
Patrick Winograd: Northwestern 20, Nebraska 24
Nebraska might have a more talented and flashy team on paper than Northwestern does, but the Cornhuskers have not played up to their full potential yet, while the Wildcats have consistently overperformed expectations. Nebraska’s biggest struggle in both its losses has been protecting quarterback Dylan Raiola. In a loss against Michigan, Raiola was sacked seven times, and in a loss against Minnesota, he was sacked nine times. Michigan collected 41% of its sack total for the entire season against Nebraska, while Minnesota gathered 39% of its sack total against the Cornhuskers last week. The formula to beat Nebraska is to limit Raiola’s time to throw, but unfortunately, the ‘Cats have the third-fewest sacks in the conference. Northwestern’s lack of a dominant pass-rushing unit means the Wildcats won’t be able to exploit the Cornhuskers’ biggest weakness, and even though this game should be close, Nebraska is the right pick here.
Bryan Boanoh: Northwestern 20, Nebraska 17
Many people have already pointed it out, but Nebraska’s inability to protect Dylan Raiola is a glaring weakness that Northwestern will hope to exploit. Raiola has been sacked 25 times so far this season, tied for second most in the country. No, Northwestern has not been able to generate sacks consistently this season, but poor pass rushes have found success against the Cornhuskers. Michigan State averages 1.3 sacks/game in all of their non-Nebraska games, and the Spartans got to Raiola five times in their matchup. Northwestern averages 1.7 sacks/game by comparison.
The key for a Northwestern win will be to take advantage of Nebraska’s weak run defense (it gives up 4.6 yards/carry) to take an early lead and dominate possession. This will hopefully force Nebraska to pass the ball more. In obvious passing downs, the NU secondary will hopefully be able to hold up in coverage to allow the pass rush time to get home, or Raiola may be aggressive while losing and turn the ball over as he is prone to do (Raiola has turned the ball over five times in his last four). It might be wishful thinking to think all of these factors will go NU’s way, but I already went on the SportsVoice podcast and said that NU would win this game, so I’m sticking to my guns.
Adam Sutro: Nebraska 24, Northwestern 17
If this game had happened a week ago, or was at home in Evanston, I would likely take the ‘Cats. However, Nebraska just got upset last week by Minnesota, making me think that Matt Rhule has been hard on his players this past week, getting them fired up for a bounce-back game this weekend. Additionally, Northwestern will be on the road, in a raucous environment at Memorial Stadium. Playing on the road in the B1G is never easier. On top of all that, I just don’t think Northwestern’s identity is one that can exploit Nebraska in the same way Minnesota did. The Golden Gophers racked up 9 sacks last Saturday, which is just two fewer than Northwestern has all season (11). Teams that beat Nebraska attack their offensive line, and I’m not sure the ‘Cats have enough talent up front to really exploit this Cornhusker weakness. Close game, but Nebraska stops the Northwestern win streak.
Yanyan Li: Nebraska 24, Northwestern 17
Yes, Northwestern is on a four-game winning streak, and I don’t want to downplay that. But those victories were against a G5 ULM, UCLA amidst its 0-4 start, a Penn State team that was a sinking ship despite its talented roster and a Purdue team that it was already favored against. Nebraska may have lost badly to Minnesota, but it poses a much more difficult challenge to the Wildcats at Memorial Stadium — there’s a reason why David Braun said it was arguably the best environment in college football. NU is catching lightning in a bottle right now, but the realist in me expects an uphill climb.
Ascher Levin: Northwestern 21, Nebraska 17
After a dominant win over Purdue, the ’Cats head to Lincoln riding a four-game winning streak. Nebraska is looking to rebound from a disappointing loss to Minnesota and will be eager to get back on track at home. The Cornhuskers rank near the bottom of the FBS in rushing yards allowed per game (167.5), and Northwestern should look to exploit that weakness by leaning on its ground game and controlling time of possession. NU’s defense has been outstanding in recent weeks, and I expect that strong play to continue even against a capable Nebraska offense. While the ’Cats enter as underdogs, I see them pulling off a signature road victory to keep their momentum rolling.
Drew Christmann: Northwestern 17, Nebraska 10
These 5-2 records could not look more different for these teams. Northwestern, still riding off the high of the Penn State victory, shut out Purdue last week and is in the midst of a four-game win streak — just one win away from being bowl eligible.
Nebraska, on the other hand, has more questions than answers just past the halfway mark of the season. The Cornhuskers are coming off their biggest loss of the season, falling to Minnesota 24-3 in the Twin Cities. Add to that the rumors surrounding Matt Rhule and the Penn State coaching vacancy, the Huskers have had a tough week.
Look for Northwestern’s defense to take advantage of a weak offensive line and for Cam Komolafe to exploit Nebraska’s run defense, which has allowed 167.5 yards per game through seven contests.
While considered underdogs, Northwestern certainly has a lot leaning its way — leaving room for yet another big road upset to secure its first bowl appearance since 2023.
Calvin Kaplan: Nebraska 21, Northwestern 20
This game has the potential to be one of the Wildcats’ closest battles all season. Nebraska clearly has the edge at quarterback with Dylan Raiola at the helm, but as mentioned above, the Cornhuskers’ offensive line is in tatters. Meanwhile, the ‘Cats sport a legitimately good defense, but Preston Stone has perpetually been plagued by inconsistency in his decision-making. If Stone plays turnover-free football, I think the ‘Cats take this matchup in Lincoln, but such an outcome feels like wishful thinking. Assuming Nebraska’s defense can make a couple of key plays in big moments, the Cornhuskers should be able to eke this one out.
Season standings:
6-1: Charlie Jacobs
5-2: Yanyan Li, Miguel Munoz, Ascher Levin, Calvin Kaplan
4-0: Sai Trivedi
3-1: Adam Sutro, Pierson Strandquist, Patrick Winograd
2-1: Matt Campbell
1-0: Adam Sutro, Charlie Perlman, Donovan West
1-1: Drew Christmann, Bryan Boanoh
