The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Illinois Fighting Illini open the 2021 college football season Saturday. Kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. is set for 1 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Nebraska at Illinois odds and lines; check back for our college football picks and predictions.
The Cornhuskers posted a 3-5 record last season, and they hope things will be easier in 2021 despite the fact their schedule is rated as the Big Ten’s toughest. QB Adrian Martinez is back under center for his fourth season.
The Illini sacked head coach Lovie Smith after posting a 17-39 record in five seasons. Hope springs eternal as head coach Bret Bielema is back in the Big Ten trying to lead a turnaround after several strong seasons at the helm in Wisconsin.
These teams played last season, with Illinois posting a 41-23 victory in Lincoln on Nov. 21.
Nebraska at Illinois: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 7:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Nebraska -280 (bet $280 to win $100) | Illinois +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
- Against the spread/ATS: Nebraska -6.5, -122 (bet $122 to win $100) | Illinois +6.5, -102 (bet $102 to win $100)
- Total: 54.5, Over -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Under -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
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2020 Betting stats:
- ATS: Nebraska 4-4 | Illinois 3-5
- O/U: Nebraska 1-7 | Illinois 4-4
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The Cornhuskers are road favorites with an implied win probability of 73.68%. Their -280 money line odds can be expressed as a fraction of 5/14 or a decimal of 1.357. Nebraska will need to win by 7 or more points in order to cover the spread.
The Fighting Illini must lose by 6 or fewer points, or win outright, in order to cover the spread. Their +220 odds represent an implied win probability of 31.25%.
The Cornhuskers and Fighting Illini must combine to score 55 or more points for a bet on the Over 55.5 to cash. A point total of 54 or fewer points is a win for the Under. The odds price the Over as the more likely result on the projected total.
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