Ohio @ Nebraska Football Game Preview: Prediction, Betting Odds & 4 Prop Bets

Saturday, September 5, 2026 Time: 12:00 PM ET Location: Memorial Stadium — Lincoln, Nebraska TV: FS1 Tickets: As low as $26 Betting Line: Nebraska -24.5 Over/Under: 47.5

Ohio vs. Nebraska Prediction & Matchup Preview

Nebraska opens the 2026 season Saturday afternoon when the Ohio Bobcats visit Memorial Stadium. It will be the first meeting between the two programs, with the Cornhuskers entering as heavy favorites after finishing 7-6 last season. Ohio went 9-4 in 2025 and closed its season with a Frisco Bowl victory.

Nebraska’s biggest offseason addition is quarterback Anthony Colandrea, who transferred from UNLV after winning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year. Colandrea threw for 3,459 yards and 23 touchdowns while adding 649 rushing yards and 10 scores last season. He has officially been named Nebraska’s Week 1 starter.

His dual-threat ability should fit well in Dana Holgorsen’s offense. Nebraska also features receivers Nyziah Hunter, Jacory Barney Jr. and Kwazi Gilmer, giving Colandrea multiple options in the passing game.

Ohio begins a new era under head coach John Hauser and will start veteran Nick Poulos at quarterback. Poulos has limited starting experience but brings mobility to the Bobcats’ spread-option attack. He has 290 career passing yards and 184 rushing yards entering the opener.

Running back Duncan Brune could become Ohio’s offensive centerpiece after rushing for 585 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025. The junior is also one of four Bobcats selected as team captains.

Ohio’s best path to staying competitive is controlling possession, establishing Brune and preventing Colandrea from creating explosive plays. Nebraska’s overall talent advantage and home-field edge should eventually become difficult to overcome.

🔥 Top 4 Expanded Prop Bets

The player thresholds below are recommended betting targets. Confirm official sportsbook player props before wagering.

Prop Bet #1: Anthony Colandrea Over 225.5 Passing Yards

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Colandrea Over 225.5 Passing Yards

• 3,459 Yards in 2025
• Experienced Starter
• Dual-Threat QB

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Colandrea enters Nebraska with 31 career starts and more than 7,500 career passing yards.

Holgorsen should allow him to attack early and establish confidence in his new offense. With Hunter, Barney and Gilmer available, Nebraska has enough receiving talent to create favorable matchups.

Prop Bet #2: Anthony Colandrea Over 34.5 Rushing Yards

FanDuel

4.6/5

Tip: Colandrea Over 34.5 Rushing Yards

• 649 Yards in 2025
• 10 Rushing TDs
• Designed Run Threat

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Colandrea is much more than a pocket passer. He rushed for 649 yards and 10 touchdowns last season at UNLV.

Expect Nebraska to use read-option concepts and designed quarterback runs, particularly near the goal line.

Prop Bet #3: Duncan Brune Over 59.5 Rushing Yards

Caesars

4.4/5

Tip: Brune Over 59.5 Rushing Yards

• 585 Yards in 2025
• Featured Back
• Team Captain

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Ohio needs Brune heavily involved to keep Nebraska’s offense off the field.

He rushed for 585 yards and eight touchdowns last season and recorded his first career 100-yard game against Northern Illinois.

Even if Ohio trails, Brune should receive enough early carries to challenge this number.

Prop Bet #4: Ohio Under 13.5 Team Points

BetMGM

4.5/5

Tip: Ohio Under 13.5 Points

• New Starting QB
• Road Environment
• Nebraska Talent Advantage

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Poulos enters with only one previous college start, and opening the season inside Memorial Stadium presents a significant challenge.

Nebraska should be able to create pressure and force Ohio into difficult third-down situations. If the Cornhuskers contain Brune, sustained scoring drives could be difficult for the Bobcats.

Players to Watch

Anthony Colandrea — Nebraska: Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year who accounted for 33 touchdowns at UNLV last season.

Nyziah Hunter — Nebraska: Experienced receiver expected to be one of Colandrea’s primary downfield targets.

Isaiah Mozee — Nebraska: Sophomore running back expected to receive a larger role after contributing as a runner, receiver and returner during his freshman season.

Nick Poulos — Ohio: Veteran quarterback making his first start as Ohio’s full-time QB1.

Duncan Brune — Ohio: All-MAC candidate and team captain who gives the Bobcats their most proven offensive weapon.

DJ Walker — Ohio: Standout safety who recorded 61 tackles and two interceptions last season and enters 2026 on major national defensive award watch lists.

The Verdict

Prediction

Nebraska Cornhuskers 35, Ohio Bobcats 10

Best Bets

Nebraska -24.5Under 47.5 Total Points Anthony Colandrea Over 225.5 Passing Yards Ohio Under 13.5 Team Points

Ohio has enough experience at running back and on defense to make Nebraska work early, but the Bobcats are replacing significant offensive production and asking Poulos to handle a difficult road environment.

Colandrea’s experience and dual-threat ability should become the difference. Expect Nebraska to establish control during the middle quarters and lean on its defense and running game once a comfortable advantage is established.

Prediction: Nebraska 35, Ohio 10.

The market has recently shown Nebraska around -23.5 to -24.5, so confirm the final spread, injuries and player-prop availability before wagering.