Ohio vs Nebraska Picks and Prediction for Saturday September 5 2026

The Ohio Bobcats travel to Lincoln to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday, September 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM ET at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, with FS1 providing the television coverage. Both teams enter their 2026 season opener at 0-0. Nebraska is currently favored by 23.5 points, while the total is set at only 47.5. ESPN Analytics gives Nebraska a 91.7% probability of winning the game. Get into the action with our free college football picks.

Ohio Should Not Be Dismissed

Ohio closed 2025 playing solid football. The Bobcats won four of their final five games, including a 17-10 bowl victory over UNLV.

The only loss during that five-game stretch was a narrow 17-13 defeat at Western Michigan. Ohio also scored 31 against Buffalo and 42 against Massachusetts, showing enough offensive capability to create problems when the matchup permits.

Nebraska obviously represents a substantial increase in difficulty, but Ohio is receiving more than three touchdowns.

The low total makes those points even more valuable. When the entire game is expected to produce only 47.5 points, getting 23.5 represents almost half of the projected scoring.

Nebraska Needs to Reverse Its Late-Season Slide

Nebraska enters its opener looking to erase a disappointing finish to 2025. The Cornhuskers lost four of their final five games, including consecutive losses to Penn State, Iowa and Utah.

Those final three defeats came by scores of 37-10, 40-16 and 44-22. Nebraska therefore has plenty to prove despite being installed as a substantial favorite.

Home field and overall depth should give the Cornhuskers control of this matchup. ESPN's 91.7% win probability reflects the expectation that Nebraska should win comfortably.

Covering 23.5 is a different question, especially against an Ohio team that finished last season playing well.

Ohio vs Nebraska Picks and Prediction

Pick: Ohio +23.5

Ohio +23.5 is one of my favorite underdog positions in this group. Nebraska should win, but the combination of a low 47.5 total and a spread exceeding three touchdowns makes the Bobcats attractive. Ohio won four of its final five games last season, while Nebraska lost four of five. A score around Nebraska 30, Ohio 14 gives the Cornhuskers a comfortable 16-point victory while leaving plenty of room for the underdog. At +23.5, take Ohio.

Pick: Under 47.5

I'm also taking Under 47.5. This number is low, but the expected game script supports it. Ohio's best path to staying competitive involves shortening possessions and avoiding a high-tempo game, while Nebraska doesn't need an offensive explosion to win. A 30-14, 31-13 or 28-14 result all produces a Nebraska victory and stays beneath the number. Take Under 47.5.

Final Picks: Ohio +23.5 and Under 47.5