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At Memorial Stadium (Champaign, IL) on Friday, the Illinois Fighting Illini (2-3) take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-3).
The Fighting Illini are favored, but by less than a touchdown (-3.5), against the Cornhuskers. The over/under for this game is 43.5 points.
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Game Info for Illinois vs. Nebraska
- Game Day: Friday, October 6, 2023
- Game Time: 8:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: Fox Sports 1
- Location: Champaign, Illinois
- Stadium: Memorial Stadium (Champaign, IL)
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | -3.5 | -109 | -111 | 43.5 | -110 | -110 | -169 | +142 |
Illinois Pick Insights
- Illinois is winless against the spread so far this season in five games.
- Illinois is winless against the spread (0-2) when playing as at least 3.5-point favorites.
- Two of Illinois’ five games with a set total have hit the over (40%).
Illinois Stats & Insights
- Despite having a bottom-25 defense that ranks 23rd-worst in the FBS (419.4 yards allowed per game), Illinois has played better on offense, ranking 71st in the FBS offensively averaging 390.8 yards per game.
- Illinois is averaging 21.6 points per game on offense this year (104th in the FBS), and is allowing 30.6 points per game (101st) on the other side of the ball.
- Illinois is averaging 246.8 passing yards per game on offense (58th in the FBS), and ranks 86th on defense with 239.8 passing yards allowed per game.
- With 179.6 rushing yards allowed per game on defense, which ranks 24th-worst in the FBS, Illinois has had to lean on their 83rd-ranked running game (144 rushing yards per contest) to keep them in games.
- Despite sporting a bottom-25 defense on third down that ranks 11th-worst in the FBS (48.7% third-down conversion rate), Illinois has played better offensively, ranking 106th in the FBS by putting up a 34.4% third-down percentage.
- Illinois owns the 11th-worst turnover margin in college football at -6, forcing five turnovers (97th in the FBS) while turning it over 11 times (121st in the FBS).
Illinois’ Best Players
- Luke Altmyer has been a dual threat for Illinois so far this season. He has 1,081 passing yards, completing 65% of his passes and collecting five touchdown passes and seven interceptions this season. He’s rushed for 175 yards (35 ypg) on 47 carries with three rushing touchdowns.
- Reggie Love III has carried the ball 44 times for a team-high 243 yards on the ground and has found the end zone one time as a runner.
- Isaiah Williams’ leads his squad with 446 yards as a receiver. He’s racked up that yardage on 30 catches (out of 48 targets).
- Pat Bryant has caught 16 passes for 160 yards (32 yards per game) and three touchdowns this year.
- Casey Washington has racked up 13 catches for 122 yards, an average of 24.4 yards per game.
- Jer’Zhan Newton has racked up two sacks to pace the team, while also picking up three TFL and 21 tackles.
- Miles Scott, Illinois’ top tackler, has 29 tackles and one interception this year.
- Nicario Harper has picked off a team-high one pass. He also has 10 tackles and one pass defended to his name.
Nebraska Betting Insights
- Nebraska has covered the spread twice in five opportunities this year.
- Nebraska has a 1-1 record against the spread in games it was an underdog by 3.5 points or more this season.
- Two of Nebraska’s five games with a set total have hit the over (40%).
Nebraska Pick Insights
- With 348.4 total yards per game on offense, Nebraska ranks 94th in the FBS in 2023. Defensively, it ranks 36th, giving up 325.6 total yards per game.
- Nebraska has not been getting things done on offense, ranking 13th-worst in the FBS with 18.8 points per game. It has been more effective defensively, allowing 23.8 points per contest (56th-ranked).
- Nebraska’s passing game has been struggling, ranking eighth-worst in the FBS with 139.4 passing yards per game. It has been better on defense, allowing 238.8 passing yards per contest (83rd-ranked).
- Nebraska has been top-25 in rushing on both offense and defense this season, as it ranks 14th-best in rushing yards per game (209) and 15th-best in rushing yards surrendered per game (86.8).
- Nebraska is generating a 39% third-down conversion rate on offense this season (83rd-ranked). Meanwhile, it is allowing a 43.2% third-down rate (98th-ranked) on defense.
- With four forced turnovers (112th in the FBS) and seven turnovers committed (66th in the FBS) this season, Nebraska ranks 103rd in the FBS with a turnover margin of -3.
Nebraska’s Best Players
- Heinrich Haarberg has thrown for 477 yards on 38-of-72 passing with four touchdowns and one interception this season. He has chipped on the ground, as well, with 270 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
- Anthony Grant has compiled 224 yards on 44 carries with two touchdowns.
- Billy Kemp IV has racked up 193 receiving yards on 17 catches to pace his squad so far this season while scoring one touchdown as a receiver.
- Marcus Washington has seven receptions (on 14 targets) for a total of 137 yards (27.4 yards per game) this year.
- Thomas Fidone II’s nine catches (on 14 targets) have netted him 115 yards (23 ypg) and three touchdowns.
- Luke Reimer leads the team with 2.5 sacks, and also has two TFL and 10 tackles.
- Isaac Gifford has been all over the field, leading the team in both tackles and interceptions. He has 20 tackles, one TFL, and one interception so far.
