In a display of two schools that like to keep the ball on the ground, Head Coach Scott Frost and the Nebraska Cornhuskers (-18) are ready to host the Illinois Fighting Illini at Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium. The opening kickoff for this Big 10 game is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET and BTN will televise the action.
Illinois Fighting Illini at Nebraska Cornhuskers Betting Preview
In this Saturday Big Ten game, Nebraska has been tabbed as the heavy favorite and the team’s currently giving up 18 points. The Fighting Illini are also receiving +800 moneyline odds while the Cornhuskers are -1450. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 68 points, and if one school can create a bunch of points early, it’ll likely create a solid live betting scenario.
This game’s line opened at -17, while the total has not moved after it was set initially at 68.
The Fighting Illini have gained 2.9 units so far and are 4-5 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U mark of 5-4. The Cornhuskers have been a disappointment to moneyline bettors this season, losing 9.8 units. The team is 4-4 ATS and has an O/U record of 5-3.
The Fighting Illini are 4-5 straight up (SU), including 2-4 SU against conference opponents. The Cornhuskers are 2-7 SU overall and 1-5 SU in conference play.
When these two programs faced each other last year, Nebraska won handily 28-6.
The Fighting Illini are on the upswing after a 55-31 victory over Minnesota last week. AJ Bush completed 18-of-25 passes for 216 yards, two scores and one interception. Bush (127 yards on 14 rush attempts, two TDs) also led the running attack and was complemented by Reggie Corbin (213 yards on 13 carries, two TDs). Dominic Stampley (eight receptions, 65 yards) and Ricky Smalling (four catches, 86 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Nebraska just fell 36-31 to Ohio State. Adrian Martinez completed 22-of-33 passes for 266 yards and one touchdown. Martinez (72 rushing yards on 20 attempts, two TDs) and Devine Ozigbo (86 yards on 20 carries, one TD) mounted the running game as Stanley Morgan Jr. (seven receptions, 87 yards) and JD Spielman (six catches, 61 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Illinois has run the ball on 61.1 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 58.9 percent across possessions in conference play. Nebraska has an overall rush percentage of 55.4 percent, and has carried the ball 52.7 percent of the time against Big 10 opponents. The Fighting Illini have run for 249 yards/game (including 253 per game versus Big Ten opponents) and have 20 scores on the ground this year. The Cornhuskers are totaling 217 rush yards per game (201 in conference) and have 20 total rushing TDs.
The Fighting Illini offense has averaged 167 yards in the air overall (167 per game against conference opposition) and has nine passing TDs so far. The Cornhuskers have put up 252 pass yards per game (269.3 in the Big 10) and have 14 total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Illinois has allowed 240 rush yards and 284 pass yards per game. The Nebraska D has allowed 269.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 173.0 yards per game to opposing runners. The Cornhuskers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 6.20 to opposing QBs, while the Fighting Illini have given up a 7.47 ANY/A.
Offensively, Bush has amassed 708 passing yards on the year, and has completed 57 percent of his 106 attempts with three scores through the air and four interceptions. He’s got a 4.45 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 9.31 over the last two outings.
Look for a balanced approach offensively from Illinois in this one. Reggie Corbin (797 rushing yards, eight rush TDs this season), Dominic Stampley (84 receiving yards) and AJ Bush (456 rush yards, five rush TDs, 0 receiving yards) have each played big roles lately.
On the other sideline, Adrian Martinez has managed to complete 143-of-216 passes for 1,709 yards, 10 TDs and five INTs. Martinez’s ANY/A stands at 6.89 for the season and 8.28 across his past two outings.
Devine Ozigbo (686 rushing yards, eight rush TDs this season), Stanley Morgan Jr. (643 receiving yards, three receiving TDs) and JD Spielman (675 receiving yards, eight receiving TDs) have combined for 521 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns over the last two games.
RELATED: Week 11 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Prediction: Illinois Fighting Illini at Nebraska Cornhuskers
SU Winner – Nebraska, ATS Winner – Nebraska, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes
The Nebraska defensive unit has created 21 sacks on the year while Illinois has just 15.
Nebraska has lost eight fumbles this season while the Illinois offense has let six get away.
The Fighting Illini offense has registered five pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Cornhuskers have accounted for six such plays.
The Illinois defense has allowed 11 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Nebraska has given up 10 such plays.
The Illinois offense has created 23 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Nebraska has created 26 such runs.
The Fighting Illini defense has allowed 20 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Cornhuskers have given up 15 such runs.
The Over/Under for Nebraska’s previous matchup going into it was 75.5. The under cashed in the 36-31 defeat to Ohio State.
In its last three games, Nebraska is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
Over its last three matches, Illinois is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
The O/U for Illinois’ last game going into it was 62. The over cashed in the team’s 55-31 victory over Minnesota.
Illinois has averaged 8.2 yards per carry over its past three outings and 9.5 over its last two.
Nebraska has averaged 6.3 yards per carry over its last three contests and 5.0 over its last two.
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