Illinois vs Nebraska Prediction Football Picks Today 11/6/26

The Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Illinois Fighting Illini meet in week 10 college football action from Gies Memorial Stadium on Friday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game.

Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction

I’m on Illinois and the points in this one. You have two teams with identical records heading in two different directions and I just don’t trust Nebraska in their current form. I think Illinois is live to win this game so I’ll back the Illini with the points in this one.

Nebraska Cornhuskers Recap

The Nebraska Cornhuskers come into this game looking to rebound from a 17-10 loss at the hands of the Washington Huskies last time out to sit at 5-3 this season. After this game, the Cornhuskers will head on the road for a game against Rutgers. Anthony Colandrea has thrown for 1,825 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions while completing 61.2% of his passes to lead the Nebraska passing attack, backed by 161 completions on 263 attempts, with TJ Lateef providing supplemental support via 82 passing yards and 1 score on 8 completions. The Cornhuskers’ ground game is spearheaded by Jamal Rule, who rushes for 463 yards and 5 touchdowns on 73 carries, followed closely by Anthony Colandrea with 354 yards and 4 scores on 75 carries, Mekhi Nelson adding 333 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 77 attempts, Isaiah Mozee chipping in 229 yards and 1 score on 46 carries, and Kwinten Ives adding 34 yards on 4 rushing attempts. Through the air, Kwazi Gilmer leads the receiving corps with 545 yards and 7 touchdowns on 42 catches, while Jacory Barney Jr. adds 443 yards and 2 scores on 35 receptions, Luke Lindenmeyer logs 247 yards and 1 score on 27 receptions, Nyziah Hunter adds 173 yards on 22 receptions, and Mekhi Nelson rounds out key targets with 153 yards and 1 score on 11 receptions. Defensively, Owen Chambliss anchors the Nebraska squad by logging a team-high 53 total tackles. Altogether, the Cornhuskers’ defensive unit has successfully combined to bring down opposing quarterbacks for 23 sacks, 165 yards lost, and 29 pass deflections while also coming away with 7 total interceptions.

Why the Nebraska Cornhuskers will win

• The road team has won five of the last six games between Nebraska and Illinois.
• Nebraska has covered the spread in four of its last five games.
• Illinois has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five November games as a home underdog.
• Nebraska has won the first quarter in four of its last five games against teams from Illinois.
• Nebraska has won the first half in each of its last eight games.

Illinois Fighting Illini Recap

The Illinois Fighting Illini come into this game looking to build on their 20-17 win over Maryland last time out to sit at 5-3 this season. After this game, Illinois will head on the road for a game against UCLA. Katin Houser has thrown for 1,663 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions while completing 64.8% of his passes to lead the Illinois passing attack, backed by 140 completions on 216 attempts, with Michael Clayton II providing supplemental support via 172 passing yards and 4 scores on 17 completions. The Fighting Illini’s ground game is spearheaded by Aidan Laughery, who rushes for 560 yards and 2 touchdowns on 89 carries, followed closely by Ca’Lil Valentine with 225 yards and 1 score on 50 carries, Javari Barnett adding 183 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 25 attempts, Jordan Anderson chipping in 175 yards and 2 scores on 38 carries, and Katin Houser adding 138 yards and 2 scores on 32 rushing attempts. Through the air, Collin Dixon leads the receiving corps with 781 yards and 10 touchdowns on 60 catches, while Hudson Clement adds 453 yards and 1 score on 32 receptions, Brayden Trimble logs 193 yards and 1 score on 21 receptions, Ty Robinson adds 164 yards and 3 scores on 12 receptions, and Kaden Feagin rounds out key targets with 73 yards on 8 receptions. Defensively, Matthew Bailey anchors the Illinois squad by logging a team-high 55 total tackles. Altogether, the Fighting Illini’s defensive unit has successfully combined to bring down opposing quarterbacks for 9 sacks, 62 yards lost, and 28 pass deflections while also coming away with 3 total interceptions.

Why the Illinois Fighting Illini will win

• Nebraska has lost five of its last six November games as a favorite.
• The underdog has won four of the last five games between Nebraska and Illinois.
• Illinois has covered the spread in eight of its last nine November games as an underdog.
• Nebraska has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six road games in November.
• Illinois has won the first half in each of its last four home games in November.
• The underdog has won the first quarter in four of the last six games between Nebraska and Illinois.