Nebraska vs. Minnesota score prediction by college football computer model

What the experts have to say as Nebraska and Minnesota meet in the Big Ten opener as the Week 1 college football schedule kicks off

Thursday night football returns to campus this week as the 2023 college football season kicks off with an intriguing Big Ten opener between West Division rivals Nebraska and Minnesota in a game that brings us our first glimpse of what Matt Rhule has been up to as he tries to rebuild the Cornhuskers program.

Minnesota returns a defensive unit that was among the nation's best a year ago, ranking No. 8 nationally in total production and finished fourth overall in scoring, and while the Gophers have to replace notable pieces like quarterback Tanner Morgan and tailback Mohamed Ibrahim, they return wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell and bring on transfer running back Sean Tyler to help out new quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, who had 946 yards passing in five games as a starter a year ago.

What can we expect when things kick off? Let's check in on how the SP+ prediction model devised by ESPN analyst Bill Connelly projects the matchup, along with the latest betting information for the Week 1 game.

Nebraska vs. Minnesota score predictions

Week 1 Minnesota vs. Nebraska game predictions / Isaac Shubert | Minnesota Football

Nebraska vs. Minnesota score prediction: The SP+ model projects that Minnesota will defeat Nebraska by a score of 28 to 16, with a projected margin of 12.4 points and has a 76 percent chance to win the game outright.

Related: Nebraska vs. Minnesota game prediction, who wins and why?

Point spread: Minnesota comes into the game as 7.5 point favorites against Nebraska, according to the latest betting lines from SI Sportsbook, which set the total at 44.5 points for the matchup.

More: Huskers/Gophers picks, predictions, Week 1 college football lines, odds

FPI prediction: Minnesota has a projected 67.1 percent chance to win the game, compared to Nebraska at 32.9 percent likelihood, according to the College Football Power Index computer model that picks winners by simulating games 20,000 times.

Place your bets: Nebraska vs. Minnesota on SI Sportsbook

Nebraska vs. Minnesota schedule

When: Thurs., Aug. 31
Time: 7 p.m. Central
TV: Fox network
Stream: fuboTV (Try for free)

College football rankings

Related: A closer look at the AP top 25 rankings

1. Georgia
2. Michigan
3. Ohio State
4. Alabama
5. LSU
6. USC
7. Penn State
8. Florida State
9. Clemson
10. Washington
11. Texas
12. Tennessee
13. Notre Dame
14. Utah
15. Oregon
16. Kansas State
17. TCU
18. Oregon State
19. Wisconsin
20. Oklahoma
21. North Carolina
22. Ole Miss
23. Texas A&M
24. Tulane
25. Iowa

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