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https://collegefootballnews.com/col...ka-prediction-game-preview-betting-lines-2024
Illinois vs. Nebraska Prediction, Preview and Betting Lines
by Pete Fiutak, CollegeFootballNews.com
It's been a lot of fun to be a fan of these two teams so far.
Nebraska is 3-0 for the first time since 2018, but it's been an easy run -- and yes, that includes the victory over Colorado.
The team is playing well, the defense has been fantastic, and Dylan Raiola is a great young quarterback to build around.
Sometimes as a sports fan, it's a ton of fun when your team is just getting good.
Illinois is also 3-0, easing by Central Michigan last week and with a strong home win over Kansas to get the season going. With a trip to Penn State up next, and with Michigan and at Oregon on the horizon before November, this is a big moment for the Illini.
Illinois (3-0, 0-0) at Nebraska (3-0, 0-0)
Friday, September 20 - 8:00 PM (ET) - FOX
Why Illinois Will Win
Nebraska has yet to face a team that can run the ball.
It's not that Northern Iowa didn't give it a shot, but that's an FCS team -- the Panthers only averaged 3.6 yards per carry. Colorado can't run and UTEP is UTEP.
Illinois has been decent throwing it, and it got stuffed a bit too easily by Kansas, but it'll start bashing away on the Husker front from the start.
Last year the coaching staff screwed up and only ran a season-low 19 times against Nebraska in the 20-7 loss. This time, the idea will be to keep bashing until something starts to break.
But there's one other key here -- the turnover monster hasn't hit the Huskers yet. They've been far more careful with the ball, partly because they haven't needed to take any chances. Meanwhile, Illinois is +8 in turnover margin over the first three games.
Why Nebraska Will Win
Yeah, about that running the ball for Illinois -- there's a shot it can't do it.
It's been too easy to let veteran Luke Altmyer throw and take over the offense in key situations, and it'll likely stick with the plan to mix it up a bit. He'll have to keep up with the kid on the other side.
Raiola has been brilliant. It's asking WAY too much for a freshman to rise up and carry an entire program, but that's what he's been doing.
He's hitting 74% of his passes with five scores and just one pick. It also helps that the Huskers are protecting their star.
Nebraska has allowed just one sack and 12 tackles for loss so far. Illinois has yet to show enough push into the backfield to matter -- the tackles for loss aren't there on a consistent basis.
Who Will Win
There's a major Prove It factor for Nebraska, and Illinois will provide it.
This is the first time all season the Huskers will have to get physical. It's also the first time they'll have to handle a nasty secondary.
Illinois is great at bringing a big-time attitude on the road, especially when it's not expected to do much. It'll push the Huskers for a full four quarters helped by two takeaways -- just wait; the Illini will dial up the pressure on Raiola.
But unlike past Husker teams, this one won't turtle when it counts.
Prediction
Nebraska 23, Illinois 20
Spread
Nebraska is favored at home by 9.5 points. The Over/Under is set at 43.5 points
