All Huskers

Nebraska Tied for Sixth-Best Playoff Odds in Big Ten

If Vegas lines are any indication, Matt Rhule’s squad is entering 2025 with more national respect than some fans might’ve expected.
Trevor Tarr|
Coach Matt Rhule, right, and Athletic Director Troy Dannen walk off the field after the Huskers' 2024 win over Wisconsin.
Coach Matt Rhule, right, and Athletic Director Troy Dannen walk off the field after the Huskers' 2024 win over Wisconsin. | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

In this story:

Nebraska CornhuskersIllinois Fighting IlliniOhio State BuckeyesPenn State Nittany LionsOregon DucksIowa HawkeyesIndiana HoosiersUSC TrojansMinnesota Golden GophersWashington Huskies

This isn’t a drill, a fan take, or your best friend’s uncle’s dog’s opinion, Nebraska currently holds the sixth-best odds to make the College Football Playoff among Big Ten teams.

The numbers come directly from Circa Sports, a prominent Las Vegas sportsbook, where Nebraska is listed at +575 to make the CFP. They find themselves tied with Illinois, and ahead of teams like Indiana (+600), Iowa (+650), and Washington (+750).

To no one's surprise, Ohio State (-400), Penn State (-310), and Oregon (-300) find themselves at the top of this list. However, a sixth-place finish in conference play a year ago would've logged Nebraska a 6-3 record in conference and the first winning record in conference play since they went 6-3 in conference back in 2016.

Continuing the hypothetical, if Nebraska won those same three non-conference matchups a season ago, we would've been talking about a 9-3 Nebraska team lurking on the College Football Playoff fringe, much like Illinois last fall.

Matt Rhule and Dylan Raiola look up at the scoreboard.
Matt Rhule and Dylan Raiola. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Because we don’t live in hypotheticals, I’ll leave it at that. But the point stands that Nebraska’s stock is rising as the 2025 season draws closer.

With a win total set at 7.5, the Huskers will likely need to hit at least nine victories to even sniff the playoff conversation. Regardless, this feels like yet another sign of the growing national confidence in Matt Rhule’s program heading into 2025.

And while oddsmakers get plenty wrong every year, a prediction from a data-backed sportsbook tends to carry more weight than whatever your neighbor Tom says over the fence.

Take it for what it’s worth, but to me, this is just one more piece of evidence that there’s real national belief in Nebraska taking a step forward this fall.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

More From Nebraska On SI

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.

Published
Trevor Tarr
TREVOR TARR

Trevor Tarr is the founder of Skers Scoop, a Nebraska football media outlet delivering original coverage through writing, graphics, and video content. He began his career in collegiate athletics at the University of South Dakota, producing media for the football team and assisting with athletic fundraising. A USD graduate with a background in journalism and sports marketing, Trevor focuses on creative, fan-driven storytelling in college football.

Home/Football