Big Ten Conference play arrives for No. 22 Nebraska on Friday night when No. 24 Illinois comes to Lincoln. With both teams looking to remain undefeated and ranked, the game is looking to be quite the battle.
The Huskers and the Fighting Illini mirror each other strongly in this matchup. During the non-conference portion of their schedules, they each faced a non-Power 4 team, an FCS team, and a Big 12 team.
True freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola is 59-of-80 passing for 670 yards and five touchdowns for Nebraska. Fourth-year quarterback Luke Altmyer is 54-of-78 this season for 647 yards and six touchdowns.
The Huskers’ run game has racked up 514 total yards and seven touchdowns off 104 carries through the first three games. Illinois, meanwhile, has 460 yards off 105 carries for four touchdowns.
Nebraska’s defense has held opponents to 20 points, 555 passing yards, and 211 rushing yards through three games. They have also recorded four interceptions, including one for a touchdown, and delivered nine sacks.
Meanwhile, the Fighting Illini’s defense held opponents to 26 points through three games, 455 passing yards, 377 rushing yards allowed, and two touchdowns. They also have six interceptions, including one for a touchdown and five sacks.
Illinois’ last two weeks showed signs of first-half struggles. In the last two games, the Fighting Illini only scored 13 points in the first half, while Nebraska scored 79.
Illinois’ win over then-No. 19 Kansas also lost some credibility following the Jayhawks’ 23-20 loss to UNLV. Kansas slipped up several times during the Illinois game, including a screen pass that resulted in a pick-six, allowing the Fighting Illini to win.
Illinois also struggled early against Central Michigan, a team that was blown out 52-16 by FIU last week. But after entering halftime up 13-6, the Fighting Illini pulled away in the second half to win 30-9.
Nebraska controls the outcome of this game. They don’t need to wear down their opponents to deliver big strikes in their wins, something Illinois needs to remember. If the Huskers don’t make big mistakes like Kansas and control the line of scrimmage, they’ll walk away with the win.
Score Prediction: Nebraska 27, Illinois 13