Illinois vs. Nebraska Prediction
Will No. 15 Nebraska be able to continue to rack up the offensive numbers when it faces Illinois today at 3:30PM ET on ESPN2?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Nebraska is heavily favored at home in this game. The Cornhuskers are getting odds of -20 points against Illinois, while the over/under total for the contest has been set at 53 points. The home team has won and covered the spread in all three Big Ten meetings between these two and they have hit the under in the three meetings.
Nebraska is 4-0 on the season with a 24-13 win over Northwestern last week. The Cornhuskers have surprisingly hit the under in three of four games this year, but that is more due to their defense. The Huskers are giving up just 18 points and 366 yards per game right now while the offense is putting up 38.5 points and 485 yards per contest. Tommy Armstrong Jr. has been tough to stop, as he has thrown for 931 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for 281 yards and four scores.
Illinois is off to just a 1-2 start following a loss two weeks go to Western Michigan. The Illini have hit the under in two of three games, but that is due more to its lack of offense. The defense hasn’t been too bad, giving up just 354.7 yards per game, but allowing 28.3 points per contest. However, the offense is being held to 28.3 points and 379.7 yards per game. Wes Lunt has thrown for 665 yards and six touchdowns to lead the offense while the ground game has 472 yards as a team.
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To me, this game could be comparable to what Illinois had against Western Michigan, which was a 34-10 score. Illinois probably isn’t going to have a lot of success on offense at Nebraska, while the Cornhuskers may not be able to completely run over this Illinois defense. I like the Cornhuskers to win comfortably, but this game should stick below 53 points.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 5 PREDICTION: ILLINOIS/NEBRASKA UNDER 53