After both teams went a perfect 3-0 in non-conference play, the No. 24 Illinois Fighting Illini and No. 22 Nebraska Cornhuskers will each open their Big Ten slate on Friday. This will be the first matchup between the schools as AP-ranked opponents since Sept. 21, 1985, when the Cornhuskers knocked off the Fighting Illini, 52-25, in Lincoln.
Both teams have been led by stout defensive units so far this season, having surrendered fewer than 10 points and 275 total yards per game. Let’s examine the announcers for the Fighting Illini vs. Cornhuskers showdown, which will mark the 400th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium.
Illinois and Nebraska Announcers, Broadcast Details, and More
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET
- Channel: Fox, FuboTV
- Radio Stations: Huskers Radio Network and Huskers App; Busey Bank Illini Sports Network
- Announcers: Tim Brando (play-by-play), Devin Gardner (analyst), and Josh Sims (reporter)
- Betting Lines: Nebraska -9.5
- Over/Under: 43.5 points
- Moneyline: Illinois +275, Nebraska -345
- Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
Illinois vs. Nebraska Game Preview
The Fighting Illini and Cornhuskers will meet for the 22nd time on Friday — with the last 12 coming in consecutive years since Nebraska joined the Big Ten. The Cornhuskers hold a 7-4 advantage in their games as Big Ten foes, with six of those seven Nebraska wins coming by double digits.
Nebraska is off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2016 and has controlled those contests from start to finish. Not only have the Huskers outscored their opponents 102-20, but they’ve also taken a total of zero snaps when trailing so far this season.
The 20 points allowed by Nebraska through three games is its fewest since allowing 16 points through three games in 2005. It also marks the first time since 2009 that the Cornhuskers have held each of their first three opponents to 10 points or fewer.
Illinois is off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2011 and is currently the only 3-0 Big Ten team with a top-20 win this season (defeated No. 19 Kansas on Sept. 7). The Illini have relied on an opportunistic defense through three games which has produced nine takeaways and a +8 turnover margin.
A season after allowing 29.4 points per game, third-most among Big Ten squads, Illinois has held its opponents to just 8.7 points on average so far in 2024.
True freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola has been more than impressive for the Cornhuskers through three games after he won a competitive position battle over the summer. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week after completing 19 of 27 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns in Nebraska’s season opener against UTEP.
Accuracy has been Raiola’s calling card so far this season. He’s completed at least 70% of his passes in each game, a first by an FBS true freshman through three contests since Oregon’s Marcus Mariota accomplished that feat in 2012.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season With CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
Illinois’ Luke Altmyer has been equally splendid for the Fighting Illini, ranking second to only Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke among Big Ten quarterbacks with his six touchdown passes this season. The Ole Miss transfer has yet to throw an interception for the Illini this season after he threw 10 of them in 2023.
Both signal-callers will be key in this early-season Big Ten battle between ranked teams.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!