Ohio Bobcats (0-0) vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers (0-0)
September 5, 2026 12:00 pm EDT
The Line: Nebraska Cornhuskers -23.5 / Ohio Bobcats +23.5; Over/Under: 46.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Ohio Bobcats and the Nebraska Cornhuskers meet in week 1 college football action from Memorial Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Ohio Bobcats vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Prediction.
Ohio Bobcats Team Preview
The Ohio Bobcats come into the 2026 season looking to keep the momentum going after posting a 9-4 mark in 2025, finishing the year with a 6-2 record in the MAC and earning a win over UNLV in the Frisco Bowl. John Hauser has the task of replacing Parker Navarro at QB, but it looks like it’s going to be Nick Poulos’ gig to lose for the Bobcats. The big concern for Ohio looks to be the replacing they have to do on the offensive line, but on defense the Bobcats get edge rusher Tyler Gillison who made stops at Michigan State and Cincinnati before landing in Athens.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Recap
The Nebraska Cornhuskers come into the 2026 season looking to make some noise in Matt Rhule’s 4th season at the helm in Lincoln. Nebraska finished 2025 by going 7-6 including a 4-5 mark in Big Ten play and a loss to Utah by a final score of 44-22 in the Las Vegas Bowl. Dylan Raiola moved on to try to fight for QB1 duties elsewhere, leaving Anthony Colandrea to transfer in from UNLV/Virginia to take over the QB1 role after logging a career 48 passing TDs and almost 1,700 career rushing yards. Mekhi Nelson looks to be the lead back for the Huskers this year while Nyziah Hunter is back after leading Nebraska with 64 targets last year. Vincent Shavers is back for Nebraska’s defense after logging 66 tackles in 2025 while Anthony Jones Jr. and Owen Stoudmire each come into Lincoln for their 5th seasons.
Ohio Bobcats @ Nebraska Cornhuskers Betting Trends: Week 1
Why the Nebraska Cornhuskers will win
- Nebraska has won each of its last seven home openers.
- Ohio has lost each of its last six games against opponents from the Big Ten Conference.
- Ohio has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five road games.
- Nebraska has covered the spread in each of its last five games against non-conference opponents at Memorial Stadium (Lincoln).
- Nebraska has won the first quarter in each of its last four games against non-conference opponents at Memorial Stadium (Lincoln).
- Ohio has lost the first half in each of its last nine September games as a road underdog.
Why the Ohio Bobcats will win
- Ohio has won 11 of its last 12 September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Nebraska has lost eight of its last 10 games against teams from Ohio.
- Nebraska has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games as a favorite.
- Ohio has covered the spread in five of its last six games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Ohio has won the first quarter in three of its last four road games.
- Ohio has won the first half seven of its last eight September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Nebraska’s last seven games against non-AP-ranked teams at Memorial Stadium (Lincoln) have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of Ohio’s last four games as an underdog have gone UNDER the total points line.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Player Prop Facts
- Anthony Colandrea ranked 1st in the Mountain West Conference for passing yards (3459) last season.
Ohio Bobcats Player Prop Facts
- Duncan Brune ranked T6th in the Mid-American Conference for rushing touchdowns (8) last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Nebraska ranked 3rd among FBS teams for passing yards allowed per game last season (154.1).
- Nebraska ranked 135th among FBS teams for red zone percentage against last season (97.4).
- Ohio ranked 9th among FBS teams for rushing yards per game last season (227.4).
- Ohio ranked 12th among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game last season (4.8).
Ohio Bobcats vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Prediction
I’m on the Cornhuskers here. It’s a big number but this is still a quality team for Rhule in Nebraska and I do like the addition of Colandrea under center for the Cornhuskers. Ohio’s just had so much turnover and have had issues at times taking on some of the big boys in past seasons. I think Nerbaska wins this one comfortably to start the season with a bang. Give me the Cornhuskers.
