No, you’re not seeing things! It’s mid-October, and the Indiana Hoosiers are 6-0, with their sights set on a Big Ten title game appearance. On the other side, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, after a 5-7 finish in Matt Rhule’s first season, have already matched their 2023 win total, fueled by the standout play of true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola.
Will the Hoosiers maintain their unbeaten run against a resurgent Cornhuskers team? Our Nebraska vs. Indiana preview breaks down the latest odds and provides a score prediction for this Big Ten showdown.
Nebraska vs. Indiana Betting Preview
All Nebraska vs. Indiana odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. The CFN Spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
Indiana -9 - Spread
Indiana -6.5 - Moneyline
Indiana -238, Nebraska +195 - Over/Under
49 points - Game Time
Noon ET - Location
Memorial Stadium | Bloomington, IN - Predicted Weather at Kick
64 degrees, sunny, 3 mph winds - How To Watch
Fox
Home-field advantage. An unbeaten record. A winning head-to-head record against the Cornhuskers. Everything points toward Curt Cignetti’s blooming Indiana team, and the oddsmakers favor the Hoosiers. The spread has crept up through the week, but it still falls a little short of a CFN FPM line that gives Indiana a touchdown and change advantage over the Big Ten foe.
MORE: CFN Betting Parlay Calculator
After failing to cover in the season-opening win against the FIU Panthers, Indiana has been on fire, covering five straight with an average margin of victory of 32.7 points. They cover the spread, on average, by 12.3 points per game. Nebraska has been a single-digit underdog three teams this season, covering once (Colorado) with a push against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Nebraska’s Winning Probability
The Cornhuskers are bigger underdogs with FPM than in Vegas. Nebraska has a 25.1% chance to win the game, per the metric, translating to an implied spread of about nine points.
The Cornhuskers have a brutal schedule to end the year, as they’ll be underdogs in four of their remaining six games.
- at Indiana: 25.1%
- at Ohio State: 8.9%
- vs. UCLA: 87.8%
- at USC: 35.4%
- vs. Wisconsin: 63.1%
- at Iowa: 45.7%
Indiana’s Winning Probability
Conversely, the Hoosiers have a 74.9% chance to win the game, per FPM. The Hoosiers have a great chance for a huge year, as they’ll be favored in all but one remaining game.
Here are their winning probabilities for the rest of the season:
- vs. Nebraska: 74.9%
- vs. Washington: 81.1%
- at Michigan State: 79.6%
- vs. Michigan: 62.6%
- at Ohio State: 20.1%
- vs. Purdue: 91.7%
Prediction for Nebraska vs. Indiana
The Hoosiers have taken advantage of a favorable schedule, but their success in Cignetti’s first season is no fluke. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been outstanding, finally living up to his potential after a challenging 2023 campaign with Ohio.
This matchup will be Indiana’s toughest test yet, facing off against a Nebraska team known for its stout defense. However, the Cornhuskers’ offense has struggled against stronger opponents, and despite being underestimated, the Hoosiers’ defense has held its ground.
The player to watch is Nebraska’s freshman Dylan Raiola, who flashed elite talent early in the season but has faced some recent struggles. Nebraska’s defense has been the difference-maker in their recent games, keeping them competitive by containing weaker offenses.
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I have a lot of faith in Cignetti and his offense, which has consistently put up 30 points in every game this season and 40 in five consecutive outings. Nebraska can’t afford another slow start, as Indiana has the offensive firepower to push the pace and potentially turn this into a one-sided affair.
I’m backing Indiana here. While they may face challenges later, Nebraska’s offense doesn’t pose a significant threat. It might not be another 40-point performance from the Hoosiers, but don’t be surprised if they find ways to move the ball effectively, even against a tough defense.
I’m taking the Hoosiers and the points, liking the tight spread. Indiana should contribute plenty to the over, and this could be the week the Hoosiers earn some respect.
Prediction: Indiana 34, Nebraska 20
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