Nebraska vs. Illinois Prediction, Game Preview

C’mon, Nebraska (2-2), it’s time to start looking like a real, live contender in the West already. The Huskers could very easily be 3-1, with the Hail Mary loss to BYU setting an ominous tone for the start of the Mike Riley season, but it’s been a struggle so far overall. Beating Illinois (3-1) wouldn’t necessarily change much in terms of perception, but it would be a nice appetizer of a road win to start the Big Ten season. Check out the Nebraska vs. Illinois prediction and game preview.

Nebraska vs. Illinois Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Game Time: 3:30 pm
Venue: Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL
Network: BTN

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Why You Need To Care

The Huskers are getting a strong start out of QB Tommy Armstrong, proving the square peg can fit into the round hole, but the start to the Miami game was too much to overcome, the finish to the BYU game stunk, and it took too much to get by Southern Miss. With Wisconsin up next followed up by a trip to Minnesota and a date with Northwestern, the division hopes will likely be made or broken over the next month. Nebraska can’t lose this.

While the Huskers are assumed to be major players in the Big Ten West race, Illinois can establish itself as one if it can sneak away with a win. The Illini hit reality hard after losing on the road to a mediocre North Carolina team, but they fought through Middle Tennessee to a solid 3-1 start – at least under the circumstances – and now they can make a statement with a home win before going off to Iowa. There’s a week off before dealing with Wisconsin, so if the Illini can somehow go 2-1 over the next three games, they’re going to be right in the fun.

Why Nebraska Will Win

For two teams that with erratic offenses, field position turns into a really big deal. Nebraska’s punting game has been mediocre, but on just four punt returns, the production has been there averaging close to 14 yards per try – the explosion is there for the Huskers. Illinois junior Ryan Frain hasn’t been too awful, averaging close to 40 yards per kick, but the punt coverage team has stunk. North Carolina had fun thanks to Ryan Switzer, and Middle Tennessee averaged 11.5 yards per pop.

Why Illinois Will Win

The defense continues to be phenomenal on third downs. The Huskers struggled last week against Southern Miss converting just 4-of-13 tries and had problems at times against Miami. That’s just the offense Illinois is great at slowing down. The front seven is coming up with good stops on first downs, and the D is doing a great job of getting off the field allowing offenses to convert just 21% of the time. North Carolina converted four of ten chances, but no one else has done more than 28%. Don’t be shocked if the Illinois defense gives Nebraska one of its toughest performances of the year helped by …

Player Who Matters

Safety Clayton Fejedelem, who’s come up with a team-leading 38 tackles with three broken up passes. At 6-1 and 200 pounds he has excellent size, and he’s bringing the pop more and more with 14 tackles against North Carolina and 12 against Middle Tennessee. Nebraska is trying to get Tommy Armstrong to throw more and more, especially midrange, and this is where Fejedelem should shine.

What’s Going To Happen?

Illinois will give the Huskers all they can handle. The Nebraska D will rise up in the fourth and hang on, but it’s going to be a tough fight to the finish. Expect a good game with each team getting chances to put the game away, but not being able to do it. It’s going to be a terrific game.

Nebraska vs. Illinois Prediction

Final Score: Nebraska 24, Illinois 20, Line: Nebraska -6.5, o/u: 57.5

Must See Rating: 5: Steve Jobs – 1: Dr. Ken … 3

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