FIU Panthers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Picks and Prediction for Saturday, November 8th, 2025
Use Code WWWC The FIU Panthers (1-0) take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0, 1-0 ATS, 0-1 O/U) in an inter-conference clash on Saturday evening, and we have the prediction. The Panthers netted a home win against Florida National in their first game. The Cornhuskers opened their season with an easy home win against West Georgia on Monday.
Can Nebraska take this one by more than 16 points on Saturday? Keep reading for the FIU Panthers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers prediction. Do you need a boost in your handicapping? Try our NCAAB Picks!
FIU Begins Season with Easy Win
The FIU Panthers are hoping for progress this season. The program had a tough year last season, winning just 10 games and dropping 23 games. They went 3-15 in conference play. FIU had its top five scorers from last season transfer to different programs. They opened the season with a dominating 101-49 win against Florida National, which is not a DI program. The game did not have a betting spread. FIU shot 52% in the win.
The good news is that the Panthers acquired a ton of proven transfers, led by Zawdie Jackson. The senior guard had an outstanding season with New Mexico State last year, averaging 10.5 PPG on 49.9% shooting. He was a threat in his season debut on Tuesday evening, sinking 19 points. Julian Mackey could be the top scorer. The senior guard enjoyed a breakout year last season with Houston Christian, recording 15 PPG.
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Larry Olayinka averaged 3.9 PPG with Samford last year. Corey Stephenson is expected to be a huge contributor. The senior guard netted 11.4 PPG, accompanied by 5.7 RPG with CSUB last season, and scored 16 points in the opener. The leading returning scorer from last season is Ashton Williamson. The sophomore guard averaged 7.3 PPG last season
The Panthers are ranked 192nd in the country in Ken Pomeroy’s rankings and were voted to finish 10th in the C-USA preseason poll voted by the coaches. Last season, FIU averaged 69.2 points, ranking them down at 299th in DI. They shot 42%. Opponent shot 44% against the Panthers. They conceded an average of 72.1 points, placing them 190th.
Nebraska Wins Opener in Blowout
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are in more of a development season. They went 21-14 last season but were shaky in conference play, issuing a 7-13 mark. They had plenty of players transfer. They only return one of their top five scorers from last year’s squad. Nebraska had an easy one to begin the season on Monday. Nebraska did as expected and posted an easy 86-63 win against West Georgia to cover the mammoth 24-point spread. Nebraska shot 46.9% in the win and kept West Georgia to just 29% shooting.
Connor Essegian is the leading returning scorer. The senior guard was steady last year, sporting an average of 10.7 PPG and connecting on 37.7% of his threes. Essegian netted 12 points in his seasoned debut. Berke Buyoutuncel is also back. The junior forward provides defense. He netted an average of 6 PPG and 5 RPG last season. Nebraska expects a big season from Rienk Mast. The senior did not play last season but was one of their best players two years ago, averaging 12 PPG. Mast netted 10 points with 11 boards in the opener.
Jamarques Lawrence spent his first two seasons with Nebraska and played for Rhode Island last year. He decided to return to Nebraska. The senior guard reported 9.9 PPG and 2.5 APG last season. Pryce Sanford will be a contributor. The junior forward arrived in a transfer after averaging just under 9 PPG for Iowa last year. He played 21 minutes on Tuesday but only managed three points. Braden Frager was the best player in the opener. The freshman guard dropped 22 points.
Nebraska is ranked 48th in DI in Ken Pomeroy’s ratings. The Nebraska offense was a strength last year, averaging 76 points per game, ranking them 116th. They connected on 45.6% of their shots. The Cornhuskers kept opponents to 42.7% shooting. The Cornhuskers squandered an average of 72.6 points last season, pegging them 200th in the country.
FIU Panthers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Pick
FIU vs. Nebraska Spread Pick
- Nebraska Cornhuskers -20 (5 units)
The FIU Panthers had an abysmal season last year, winning just 10 of 33 games. They had their top five scorers depart via transfers and are expected to be near the bottom of the C-USA conference this season. The Nebraska Cornhuskers also have a ton of new players, but brought in proven transfers who played with strong programs. The Cornhuskers could be a surprise team in the Big 10 this season. Nebraska won its only game this season by 33 points.
Furthermore, the numbers from FIU’s only game this season don’t have weight, considering it was against Florida National, which is not a DI program. Florida International does not have the offense to stay in this game. They only averaged 69 points last season and are posting 102.2 points per 100 possessions on Ken Pomeroy’s ratings, pegging them 225th in the country. This is a stark contrast compared to Nebraska, which is averaging 12 more points per 100 possessions.
Over/Under Pick for FIU vs. Nebraska
- Over 155 (5 units)
I expect plenty of scoring in this one. FIU has depth this season after bringing in scorers Zawdie Jackson and Julian Mackey, who averaged 10 and 15 PPG last year. FIU ranks above average in adjusted tempo. They were accurate in the opener, connecting on 52% of their shots.
In addition, Nebraska has a good forward group and should dominate in the paint. Nebraska attempted a whopping 32 threes in the win in the opener and scored 86 points. Defensively, the Cornhuskers did not have a challenge against West Georgia in their only game on Monday, but FIU presents a bigger challenge to the Cornhuskers' defense.
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