Illinois Fighting Illini vs Nebraska Cornhuskers Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 09/20/2024

Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Friday, September 20, 2024

Venue:  Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE

Where to Watch:  FOX

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Illinois +9, Nebraska -9; Over/Under:  43.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Illinois +9, Nebraska -9; Over/Under:  43.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Illinois +8.5, Nebraska -8.5; Over/Under:  43.5 points

Illinois Fighting Illini:  3-0 (0-0) (6th place, Big Ten)

Nebraska Cornhuskers:  3-0 (0-0) (5th place, Big Ten)

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Illinois Fighting Illini:  won their last game at home against the Central Michigan Chippewas 30-9.

Nebraska Cornhuskers:  won their last game at home against the Northern Iowa Panthers 34-3.

Illinois is entering this game with a 3-0 record overall and they have a 0-0 record in their conference games too. They are 3-0 in their home games, 0-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against Central Michigan 30-9. Luke Altmyer was the starting QB and he completed 19/29 passes for 242 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Josh McCray led the team in rushing yards with 54. Pat Bryant led the receivers with 102 receiving yards on 7 receptions and 2 TDs. Gabe Jacas led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 1 assisted tackle while Gabe Jacas and Dennis Briggs Jr. each led the defense in sacks with 1. Xavier Scott came away with the only interception for them in that one.

 

 

 

Nebraska is entering this game with a 3-0 record overall and they have a 0-0 record in their conference games too. They are 3-0 in their home games, 0-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against Northern Iowa 34-3. Dylan Raiola was the starting QB and he completed 17/23 passes for 247 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Dante Dowdell led the team in rushing yards with 55. Jaylen Lloyd led the receivers with 59 receiving yards on 1 reception. Isaac Gifford led the defense in that game with 4 solo tackles and 6 assisted tackles while John Bullock led the defense in sacks with 1. Malcolm Hartzog Jr. came away with the only interception for them in that one.

The current betting odds have Nebraska listed as a 9 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Nebraska has looked really good in their games this season with their 3-0 record overall. They are 3-0 in their home games this season and will be playing their first conference game of the year here, but Matt Rhule has completely turned this program around in a short amount of time. Dylan Raiola has been having a good season as the starting QB and the offense looks a lot better than it did last season. Meanwhile, Illinois has also looked good in their games this season with their 3-0 record overall. This is going to be their first conference game of the season too, but it is also their first road game of the season. They pulled off an upset win over Kansas 2 weeks ago, but Kansas also lost to UNLV at home last week so that win isn't as impressive anymore. Illinois also barely won that game at home and that has been their only test of the season so far. Nebraska hasn't really been tested either, their best win coming against Colorado, but they looked really good in that game with a blowout win. Illinois has a really good defense, but that will only take them so far since Nebraska also has a really good defense and the much better offense too. The best way to place a bet here is on Nebraska to cover the spread in this game. 

Illinois Nebraska Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Friday, September 20, 2024 (8:00 pm ET start time) is Nebraska 31 Illinois 17.

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Illinois Fighting Illini: 3-0 ATS in their last 3 road games. 3-0 ATS in the 1st quarter of their last 3 road games. 7-5 to the 1st quarter under in their last 12 games. 

Nebraska Cornhuskers: 3-6 ATS in the 1st quarter of their last 9 home games. 4-5 ATS in the 1st half of their last 9 home games. 7-3 to the under in their last 10 home games. 

Illinois Fighting Illini:  C. Goda (TE) Questionable - Undisclosed. D. Brown (OLB) Questionable - Undisclosed. A. Laughery (RB) Questionable - Undisclosed. M. Muragin (OLB) Out - Undisclosed. C. Rusk (TE) Out - Knee.

Nebraska Cornhuskers:  J. Wright (LB) Out - Undisclosed. J. Butler (DL) Questionable - Undisclosed. M. Mazzccua (OL) Out - Undisclosed. B. Hill (DB) Out - Undisclosed. B. Turner (DB) Out - Hand. T. Prochazka (OL) Out - Knee. D. Bell (WR) Out - Knee. R. Gradney (DB) Out - Knee.

“I could almost feel it coming after we beat (then-No. 19 Kansas) last week and had to flip the page and get ready for Central Michigan. We had our work cut out for us and we made it more difficult than it needed to be.” - Bret Bielema after his team’s win against CMU in their last game.

“I refer to this as the preseason. We’re learning how to win. The narrative of losing close games comes from when you get a lead and not trying to put the game away. We want to score, get a lead if we can, play defense and run the football. Then people say we’re boring in the fourth quarter.” - Matt Rhule after his team’s win against UNI in their last game. 

WR Franklin, Zakhari

WR Bryant, Pat 

WR Dixon, Collin 

TE Arkin, Tanner

QB Altmyer, Luke

RB Laughery, Aidan 

WR Banks, Jahmal

WR Neyor, Isaiah

WR Bonner, Janiran

TE Fidone II, Thomas 

QB Raiola, Dylan 

RB Johnson, Rahmir

Passing: L. Altmyer (647)

Rushing: K. Feagin (173)

Receiving: P. Bryant (235)

Touchdowns: P. Bryant (4)

Passing: D. Raiola (670)

Rushing: D. Dowdell (184)

Receiving: I. Neyor (187)

Touchdowns: D. Dowdell (3)

Coaches:

Illinois Fighting Illini: Bret Bielema (4th season)

Nebraska Cornhuskers: Matt Rhule (2nd season)