USC vs. Nebraska Football Preview & Prediction (November 1, 2025)
USC and Nebraska battled each other in a barn burner last year, and their 2025 matchup is slated to be about as good. Both teams will be jockeying for position in the Big 10, with USC coming in as mild 4.5-point favorites despite playing on the road.
It will be a classic battle between elite offense and top-shelf defense, with Jayden Maiava hoping to dice up Nebraska’s secondary, and the Cornhuskers trying to ride star running back Emmett Johnson to an upset.
This game projects to have plenty of points, and if last year’s meeting is any indication, we may not know the winner until the final stanza. Not sure who to back? I’ve got you covered in this breakdown, complete with the latest USC vs. Nebraska odds and my favorite picks for this Big 10 clash.
Game Basics & Context
- Matchup: USC Trojans (5-2) vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-2)
- Date & Time: Saturday, November 1, with kickoff at 6:30 pm CT (7:30 pm ET)
- Venue: Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, NE
- How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on Peacock.
Team Record
- USC Trojans: 5-2, 3-1 in the Big 10.
- Nebraska Cornhuskers: 6-2, 3-2 in the Big 10.
Betting Odds
Here are the latest USC vs. Nebraska odds, per DraftKings:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
USC | -4.5 (-108) | -185 | Over 59.5 (-105) |
Nebraska | +4.5 (-112) | +154 | Under 59.5 (-115) |
Rivalry & Venue Context
This is not a matchup with a rich history, as USC and Nebraska have only faced off six times. It’s been all Trojans, with USC holding a 5-0-1 advantage in the series. The most recent was a close battle last year, however, where the Trojans pulled out a 28-20 victory.
The two teams tied (21-21) way back in 1970, while it’s worth noting that most of the games have been relatively close and high-scoring. That said, the only meeting that holds any weight is last year’s tilt. The big difference this time around? That game was played in California, and this one will be in Nebraska.
Why This Game Matters
This is a huge game within the Big 10. It’s unlikely that either USC or Nebraska actually contends for the Big 10 title, but the loser would almost certainly be out of the mix.
This may be more about bowl game positioning when talking about Nebraska, as they’ve already lost two games in conference play. The Trojans are 3-1 inside the Big 10, however, and could still have a shot at taking down Ohio State and Indiana if they win out.
Either way, both teams will want to win to stay in the conversation at the top of the Big 10, and both teams still have serious bowl game aspirations.
Team Profiles
USC Trojans
Jayden Maiava heads one of the country’s best offenses. He’s been sensational on the year, putting up 15 touchdowns and 2,180 yards while guiding the Trojans to the 3rd best passing attack in the nation.
That elite production through the air is a big reason for USC’s success, as they enter the weekend ranked 2nd in points per game (42.4). As explosive as the Trojans are through the air, they’re honestly just as good on the ground. Waymond Jordan has been incredibly effective for a USC ground game that ranks 19th in all of NCAAF.
USC is set offensively, but their defense has hurt them in recent weeks. They still rank inside the top-50 as a scoring defense, but they’re 1-2 over their last three games and have coughed up 34 points in both of their losses.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Emmett Johnson (837 rushing yards, 9 TDs) is the lifeblood of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, even though the team as a whole doesn’t blow you away on the ground. He’s still a key cog in one of the best offenses in college football, as Nebraska presently ranks 38th with 31.6 points per game.
Quarterback Dylan Raiola is best known for his Patrick Mahomes impressions on the field, but he actually has lived up to the comparison this year, putting up over 1,900 passing yards and 17 touchdowns heading into week 10.
Raiola can struggle with turnovers (6 interceptions), but he’s been mostly terrific as the leader of the nation’s 33rd-best passing game. Nebraska has been highly accurate (3rd) and is also effective in the red-zone.
The Cornhuskers have also been solid defensively, allowing just 21.4 points per contest (31st), while crippling opposing passing games (2nd) in terms of yardage allowed through the air. This could be especially bad news for USC’s high-octane offense.
Key Matchup Angles
Consider the following key matchups:
- USC’s passing offense vs. Nebraska’s pass defense: Nebraska’s passing defense is stingy, but they do still give up some points and don’t have an elite sack rate. However, if they can slow down USC through the air, they could have a distinct advantage at home in this one.
- USC’s rush offense vs. Nebraska’s run defense: Even if the Cornhuskers slow down USC’s air attack, the ground game is a whole different beast. USC’s 19th-ranked running game should come in with a clear edge against Nebraska (just 93rd against the run).
- USC’s opportunistic defense vs. Dylan Raiola: As electrifying as Raiola can be, he still is responsible for 8 turnovers on the year, and he’s had some low points (24-6 loss to Minnesota). He’ll need to take extra special care of the ball against USC, who has the 28th most takeaways per game.
Betting Insights & Trends
USC’s against-the-spread numbers aren’t overly impressive. They are just 4-3 ATS overall and 3-3 against the spread as the favorite. They’re also just 1-2 ATS as the road team and 1-3 against the spread inside the Big 10 this season.
Nebraska is even worse. The Cornhuskers are just 2-5-1 against the spread overall in 2025, and are 2-2-1 ATS as the home team.
Both teams tend to be involved in games with plenty of points. The Over is 4-1 in Big 10 games for Nebraska, while it’s 6-2 for them overall on the year. The Over is 4-3 overall for USC, too, while it’s 4-2 in games where they are the favorite.
Best Bets & Confidence Levels
Here are the best bets for this game:
| Bet | Recommendation | Confidence Level |
|---|---|---|
USC -185 | The Trojans are pretty unstoppable offensively. They did get tripped up by solid Illinois and Notre Dame teams, but both are arguably better than Nebraska. The defensive matchup isn’t ideal, but USC should prove to be too much for the Cornhuskers. | 8/10 |
Over 59.5 (-105) | Nebraska’s pass defense is good, but they aren’t nearly as good against the run and they still give up points. USC also tends to score a lot, so Nebraska’s offense will need to show up. I expect a shootout. | 7/10 |
USC ATS -4.5 (-108) | Nebraska is at home and does have a good defense, but they are a level below USC. They might be able to keep it interesting, but I’d need a wide spread to back them. | 7/10 |
- Primary Pick: USC ML (-185)
- Secondary Pick: Over 59.5 (-105)
USC hasn’t had a single game below 24 points. If you stop their passing game, they’ll explode on the ground. If you stop the run, they’ll burn you through the air. Nebraska might be able to keep it reasonably close, but they are overmatched. The Trojans should win, and there should be plenty of points in what Nebraska can only hope is a shootout.
USC vs. Nebraska odds are shifting fast — stay ahead of line movement and secure the best spreads before kickoff. Compare live odds now at our top football sportsbooks.
Risk Factors & What Could Go Wrong
All of the above bets look great, but things don’t always go according to plan. Consider the following:
- Defense Season: USC’s offense is talented and highly productive, but this is still a road game against a good defense. It’s always possible the Trojans falter in the face of a suboptimal road matchup.
- Emmett Johnson Unlocked: Nebraska’s rushing numbers won’t wow out, but Emmett Johnson sure can. USC did hold him in check last year, but if he breaks free and dictates this game, it could be a long night.
- 3 and Out: USC crushes it on 3rd down with a sick 53.09% conversion rate (2nd in all of CFB), but Nebraska’s defense is also adept at getting offenses off the field (18th). If their defense flexes their muscle on 3rd down and ends drives before they start, the Trojans could struggle.
Putting Our Pick on the Board: Here’s How It Plays Out
Final Score Prediction: USC Trojans 34 – Nebraska Cornhuskers 27
Nebraska is at home and has a strong defense, so I will give credit where credit is due and predict they hold USC below their scoring average for the year. That isn’t saying a lot, though, seeing as the Trojans average 42 points per game and can kill you in a number of ways.
One way or another, USC is going to get points on the board, and Nebraska will be tasked with playing catch-up. They should do a fine job of it, but they’ll ultimately fall short.
