The Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Illinois Fighting Illini meet in week 6 college football action from Memorial Stadium on Friday night.

Nebraska Gets Routed By Michigan

The Nebraska Cornhuskers fell back below .500, dropping to 2-3 with a 45-7 loss to Michigan last time out. Heinrich Haarberg has thrown for 477 yards, 4 touchdowns and an interception on 52.8% passing while rushing for 270 yards and 2 touchdowns. Anthony Grant has 224 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns as well while Billy Kemp IV leads the Cornhuskers’ receiving group with 17 grabs for 193 yards. Three more Cornhuskers have 100+ receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Isaac Gifford has a team-high 30 total tackles while Luke Reimer has a team-high 2.5 sacks. As a unit, Nebraska’s defense has combined for 14 sacks and 3 interceptions this season.

Nebraska Cornhuskers Team Facts

Nebraska has lost seven of its last eight games against conference opponents.
Nebraska has covered the spread in each of its last eight games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
Eight of Nebraska’s last 10 games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Illinois Dismantled By Purdue

The Illinois Fighting Illini come into this game looking to get back above .500 themselves, falling to 2-3 on the year after a 44-19 beatdown loss at the hands of Purdue in their last matchup. Luke Altmyer has thrown for 1,076 yards, 5 touchdowns and 7 interceptions on 65% passing while also rushing for 175 yards and 3 TDs. Reggie Love III leads Illinois in rushing with 248 rushing yards while Josh McCray and Kaden Feagin has 133 rushing yards as well on the year. Isaiah Williams leads Illinois with 30 receptions for 446 yards while Pat Bryant has 155 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Another trio of Illini receivers have 100+ receiving yards on the year as well. On defense, Miles Scott has a team-high 32 total tackles and an interception while Illinois’ defense as a whole has 7 sacks and 3 interceptions this season.

Illinois Fighting Illini Team Facts

Illinois has lost five of its last seven October games as a home favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
Illinois has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six games.
Illinois has won the first quarter in three of its last four home games against conference opponents.
Illinois has lost the first half in three of its last four games against conference opponents.
Six of Illinois’ last seven October home games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Illinois ranked 1st among FBS teams for H2 points allowed per game last season (6.1).
Illinois ranked 2nd among FBS teams for Q4 points allowed per game last season (3.5).
Nebraska was one of only 17 FBS teams with a better road winning percentage (.500) than home winning percentage (.286) last season (min. 8 games).
Nebraska was one of only 27 FBS teams to lose 2+ games when leading after Q3 last season.

Chris’ Pick

This game is tough because you have a Nebraska team that has troubles scoring against an Illinois team that’s defense is not the same defense from last year as it got ravaged by the NFL draft, losing three of their top guys in the top-75. I think between these two, the lesser of two evils is taking the points here with Nebraska as Illinois’ defense isn’t that much better, and the Cornhuskers’ defense has been pretty good and the only reason it’s been able to stay in the games that it has up to this point. This one’s going to be bowling shoe ugly, but I’ll be happy to have the free field goal and the hook in my back pocket.