Nebraska Cornhuskers vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Prediction, Odds and Picks for Friday, 10/17/25

Our Friday night B1G matchup features the Nebraska Cornhuskers vs the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Gophers are looking to build on their narrow win over Purdue last week, and they play a brand of football that leads to a lot of one-possession games. Their offense is not great, and they rely on their defense to keep games close. This week will be a tough test with the Huskers in town. The Huskers have a real shot at the postseason if they can win a tough road game here. I do not love that this spread is up above a touchdown, but I do feel like most of the money will end up on the Minnesota side as people bet on a close game. I am looking for Nebraska to win this game by something closer to 10, so I am taking the Huskers to cover.

We are far enough into the season that some of the cumulative stats are starting to be meaningful. The Cornhuskers have the #1 passing defense in the nation, allowing only 118 yards per game. They are middle of the road against the run, but Minnesota has been entirely impotent on the ground so far this season, and they want to pass first. That’s a problem in this matchup. Nebraska also boasts a top-10 passing offense led by Dylan Raiola, who threw 4 TDs last week. He also threw 3 picks, which is something he cannot keep doing. If the Huskers can continue to attack through the air, it should be a tough day for the Gophers to score, and I think Nebraska pulls away. Give me the Cornhuskers.

Nebraska vs Minnesota Prediction: Nebraska -8 (-110) available at the time of publishing. Playable at that number.