USC vs. Nebraska, Odds, Preview, Picks and Prediction, Saturday, November 1, 2025
Use Code WWWC It’s a primetime Big Ten Conference matchup on Saturday, Nov. 1. Read our USC vs Nebraska prediction along with the other NCAAF Betting Picks! The Trojans are 6-2 and they are the No. 23-ranked team in the nation. USC is coming off a close loss to Notre Dame, where they did control parts of the game until a late run from the Irish. Nebraska is 6-2 and they enjoyed a win over Northwestern last week thanks to a late-game winning drive. These two teams will meet with the kick-off set for 7:30 P.M. EST.
USC coming off a close defeat to Notre Dame
USC is 6-2 overall this season, and they are 3-1 in Big Ten Conference play. The Trojans are the No. 23-ranked team in the nation. They started the season 4-0, but USC has lost two of their last three games entering this weekend. They have played three straight ranked teams, losing to No. 23 Illinois and defeating No. 15 Michigan at home.
In their last game, USC lost 34-24 to the Irish away from home on Saturday, Oct. 18. USC held two separate leads in the first half before Notre Dame took a 14-13 advantage into the halftime locker room. USC bounced back with 10 unanswered points in the third quarter, extending its lead to 24-21. But Notre Dame scored two touchdowns to seal the win. USC turned the ball over three times, which was their demise. They did allow Notre Dame to rush for 306 yards in the loss.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 328 yards on 22-for-42 passing. He threw two touchdowns and two interceptions. The rushing attack for USC went for just 68 yards in the loss. But, wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane continues to have a big season as he caught six passes for 111 yards and a score.
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Maiava has thrown for 2,180 yards and has completed 68% of his passes. He’s thrown 15 touchdowns and four interceptions. Leading running back Waymond Jordan is still dealing with an ankle injury and he will remain sidelined. Makai Lemon and Lane have combined for six receiving touchdowns this year, too.
On defense, USC is in tackles by linebacker Eric Entry with 48. Braylan Shelby and Kameryn Crawford each have 3.5 sacks to lead the roster. The defense has forced 12 turnovers with Bishop Fitzgerald accumulating five interceptions.
“He’s the type of player that is going to take some chances,” USC head coach Lincoln Riley said about Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola. “He’s got some escapability, both in his movement skills and he's a big kid. You see guys around him sometimes not be able to get him down. He’s going to scramble with his eyes down the field and try to make some big plays there. Anytime a guy is going to take those chances, you’ve got to make the plays when you get them and we’ve got to keep a lid on him if he does ever get loose from us and that will be a big part of the game.”
USC is averaging 42.4 points per game, which ranks fifth-best in the nation. They are the best passing attack, averaging 326.1 passing yards per game. The Trojans are averaging 203.9 rushing yards per game, which ranks 23rd.
On defense, the Trojans are allowing 23.1 points per gam,e which ranks 56th. They are the 81st-ranked passing defense, giving up 228.3 yards per game. USC is giving up 136.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks 58th.
USC is 4-3 against the spread this season. The Trojans are 1-2 against the spread this season on the road. They are 3-3 against the spread when they have been favored this year. The Trojans are 1-1 against the spread as a single-digit favorite. The over is 4-3 when USC has played this year. The under is 2-1 when they have played on the road. The total is 2-2 when the total has been set at 59 points or less.
Rhule sticking with Nebraska despite Penn State rumors
Nebraska is 6-2 overall this season. They are 3-2 in Big Ten Conference play, which has them tied for seventh place in the league. The Cornhuskers are 4-1 when playing at home, with their lone loss coming against Michigan. Since the loss to Michigan, Nebraska has won three of their last four games.
In their last game, Nebraska defeated Northwestern 28-21 at home on Saturday, Oct. 25. The Huskers jumped ahead to a 21-6 lead halfway through the third quarter. Northwestern clawed their way back into the game, tying it at 21 in the fourth quarter. Nebraska was able to mount a late drive that ended in a 4-yard rushing touchdown from running back Emmett Johnson.
Quarterback Dylan Raiola threw for 141 yards on 16-for-22 passing with a touchdown and an interception. It was a big day for Johnson, who rushed for 124 yards and two scores.
Raiola has thrown or 1,909 yards and has completed 73% of his throws. He’s thrown 17 touchdowns and six picks. Johnson has been key for the team. When he explodes for a big rushing day, Nebraska excels. He has a team-high 837 rushing yards with nine touchdowns.
On defense, Nebraska is led in tackles by linebacker Javin Wright with 52, which is 13 more tackles than anyone else. Dasan McCullough has a team-high two sacks. The defense has also forced 11 turnovers on the year.
On Thursday, Matt Rhule signed an extension with Nebraska as the head coach for another two years. There was speculation around Rhule leaving for the Penn State job, but he will remain with Nebraska.
“Coach Rhule has shown he is the right leader at the right time for Nebraska Football. We look forward to him and his family being in Lincoln for a long time,” Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen said. “Our program has seen significant progress under Matt’s leadership, and at this stage in the evolution of the program continuity and stability are critical.
Nebraska is averaging 35 points per game, which ranks 31st in the nation. They are the 28th-ranked passing offense, averaging 272.4 passing yards per game. The Huskers are averaging 128.8 rushing yards per game, placing them 101st.
On defense, Nebraska is allowing 19.6 points per game, which ranks 31st in the country. They are the second-best pass defense, allowing 127.5 passing yards per game. The Cornhuskers are allowing 158.3 rushing yards per gam,e ranking 88th.
Nebraska is 2-5-1 against the spread this season. The Cornhuskers are 2-2-1 against the spread this season at home. They are 0-1 against the spread when they have been underdogs. Nebraska is 0-4-1 against the spread when playing conference opponents. The over is 6-2 when Nebraska has played. The over is 5-0 when Nebraska has played at home. The over is 1-0 when the total has been set at 55 points or higher.
USC Trojans vs Nebraska Cornhuskers Picks
USC vs Nebraska Spread Pick
- Nebraska +6.5 (5 units)
Memorial Stadium has real energy during night games in Lincoln, Nebraska. It’s a tough place to play and since conference realignment, it’s been tough for West Coast teams to win prime-time games across the country. USC’s two losses have come when their opposition as run the ball effectively. Notre Dame rushed for over 300 yards last week. Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson has only improved as the season has pushed forward and he’s primed for a big game in the national spotlight. Nebraska’s offense can also pass the ball effectively with Dylan Raiola. Nebraska is 0-4-1 against the spread versus Big Ten opponents this year. They have been favored in almost every single one and as a home underdog, they are primed for a big game. USC’s defense struggled against Notre Dame, while the offense ranks No. 1 in passing offense, Nebraska’s defense ranks second-best in defending the pass.
Take Nebraska to cover.
USC vs Nebraska Over/Under Pick
- Under 59 (5 units)
Nebraska ranks No. 2 in pass defense and if they can slow down USC’s high-octane offense, this game will play right into their hands. The Cornhuskers want a game that will see them grind it out, and while the over is 5-0 during Nebraska home games this season, Nebraska will value possessions and keep the clock rolling when they have the ball. The under is 2-1 when USC has played on the road. Both defenses are allowing 23 points or less per game. This will be a low-scoring one in Lincoln.
Take the under on Saturday.
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