Nebraska vs. Minnesota Prediction, Pick, Odds: Will Matt Rhule Change Culture at Nebraska in Week 1?
Nebraska and Minnesota face off this Thursday. Will Matt Rhule change the culture at Nebraska in Week 1? Jason Radowitz answers.
Jason Radowitz - August 28, 2023, 9:42 AM EDT
5 minNebraska vs. Minnesota Prediction, Pick, Odds: Will Matt Rhule Change Culture at Nebraska in Week 1?
The Nebraska Cornhuskers have a lot of tradition and culture within their program. But after a 4-8 season last year, Nebraska finally went a different direction with Matt Rhule at quarterback.
Rhule is just 47-43 as a college football head coach. But he's done some massive turnarounds in multiple colleges throughout his career. Rhule also has NFL experience despite being fired in Carolina.
He should be an excellent hire and fit for the Cornhuskers.
On the other hand, Nebraska will take on Minnesota to kick things off in Week 1. Minnesota went 9-4 overall last season. However, the Golden Gophers only went 5-4 in Big Ten play. That's not going to cut it for Minnesota fans.
Can the Golden Gophers add a Big Ten win in the first week of the season?
Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Thursday's game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Nebraska vs. Minnesota Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
- Date: August 31, 2023
- Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: FOX
Nebraska vs. Minnesota Odds
- Spread: Nebraska +7.5 (-105), Minnesota -7.5 (-112)
- Total Odds: O/U 43.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Nebraska (+230), Minnesota (-285)
Nebraska vs. Minnesota Injury Report
Nebraska
Out: RB Anthony Grant (Suspension), DL Brodie Tagaloa (Knee), LB Maverick Noonan (Knee)
Minnesota
Out: TE Jameson Geers (Leg)
Nebraska vs. Minnesota Prediction
The Minnesota offense will look different for the first time in a long time.
The Gophers no longer have Tanner Morgan at quarterback. They also don't have Mo Ibrahim as running back. Those two had been in the backfield for multiple years with Minnesota.
Now it's Athan Kaliakmanis' turn at quarterback. He's had some experience. Kaliakmanis added 60 completions on 111 attempts last year. However, he threw three touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 54.1% of passes.
If he struggles, it'll likely be his fault. The receiver core at Minnesota is lethal. Chris Autman-Bell will return after a leg injury early in last season. In 2021, Autman-Bell had six touchdown grabs of the 12 touchdowns that were thrown.
The offensive line will have to do some replacing. But you never have to worry about the offensive line producing under PJ Fleck.
While there are many unknowns for Minnesota, Nebraska has even more. The Cornhuskers tagged Marcus Satterfield as the offensive coordinator this season. He won't have Casey Thompson at quarterback this year. He's out of the picture and with Florida Atlantic.
Therefore, Nebraska will roll with former Georgia Tech quarterback Jeff Sims. Sims threw for over 4,500 yards and 30 touchdowns in three seasons. He's also rushed for over 1,100 yards and added 11 more scores on the ground.
Sims can make plays on his feet. But he also makes a lot of mistakes with his arm. He's thrown 23 interceptions in three seasons. That will need to be cleaned up. Sim won't have Trey Palmer, who is with the Buccaneers. But the second-best receiver is staying.
Marcus Washington should take over as the No. 1. Meanwhile, many Nebraska analysts believe that Nebraska has a lot of talent at wide receiver.
On the defensive end, Nebraska likely won't get a whole lot of pressure on Minnesota. But the secondary is easily the best portion of the defense. They'll get stops.
And while Minnesota's defense will get stops, too, they'll have much more to worry about with Sims and his playmaking ability. I'd be much more worried about Sims than Kaliakmanis.
I'll ride Nebraska against the spread in Thursday's matchup.
Nebraska vs. Minnesota Pick
- Nebraska +7.5 -112 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
College Football Odds
