It looks like it will be a defensive battle as the Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-2) play the Illinois Fighting Illini (3-1). A player to watch in this matchup is the nation’s third-leading passer, Tommy Armstrong (1,266 yards, 11 TDs). It will begin Saturday, Oct 3 at 3:30 p.m. ET and can be seen on BTN and BTN2.
Illinois barely got past Middle Tennessee 27-25 last week. Geronimo Allison had a big game in the win, registering 10 receptions for 128 yards. Ke’Shawn Vaughn also had a big game with 80 rushing yards and a TD on 13 attempts. Nebraska was able to pick up the win last week’s performance, beating Southern Miss 36-28 in its matchup. Tommy Armstrong had an outstanding performance throwing the ball for the Cornhuskers, completing 23 of 35 passes for 368 yards, two TDs and one interception. He added 63 yards and a TD on seven attempts. Andy Janovich finished with 68 rushing yards on five attempts.
Oddsmakers have deemed the Illinois and Nebraska game as an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently uavailable.
The Fighting Illini enter the game with records of 3-1 Straight Up (SU) and 2-2 Against The Spread (ATS) this season. The Fighting Illini utiliize their passing attack frequently. They pass 42.5 times per game, which is the sixth-most in the nation. Transitioning to the Illinois defense, there are a few things to keep in mind when it is on the field. One of the keys to the game will be how the Cornhuskers deal with Illinois’s forceful defense. The defense ranks 22nd in the nation in interceptions with 1.5 per game. Illinois usually gets off to a quick start in games, averaging 11.2 points in the first quarter.
On the other side, the Cornhuskers have 2-2 SU and ATS records this season. The Cornhuskers like to keep the ball in the air. On average, they pass 39.8 times per game. Switching gears to the Nebraska defense, there are certain areas where it measures up well against the Fighting Illini. Nebraska’s seventh-ranked run defense has given its competition fits. Opponents have only run for 73.5 yards per game against this horrifying unit. The Cornhuskers make it hard on their opponents down the stretch, averaging 11.8 points in the final quarter.
Predictions: SU Winner – Illinois, ATS Winner – Illinois
Notes
Illinois is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Illinois’s last 5 games.
Illinois is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Illinois’s last 6 games at home.
Nebraska is 2-1 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. Illinois is 3-0 SU when leading after three quarters.
The Illinois rushing attack is ranked only 82nd in the nation, while the Nebraska run defense is ranked seventh. The Cornhuskers run game is ranked just 51st, compared to the 27th-ranked rush defense of the Fighting Illini.
