As the 2024 college football season began, few could have predicted that the Week 4 matchup between Illinois and Nebraska would feature two ranked teams. Yet here we are.
Illinois enters Lincoln with a 3-0 record, sitting at No. 24 in the nation, while Nebraska also comes in at 3-0, ranked No. 22 in this Friday night clash.
Nebraska holds a 14-6-1 advantage in their all-time series against Illinois, with their last victory coming in 2023, when they won 20-7 in Champaign. Now, the Illini are looking to secure a win as road underdogs in Lincoln.
Illinois vs. Nebraska Betting and DFS Preview
All Illinois vs. Nebraska odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Wednesday, Sept. 18.
- Spread
Nebraska -7.5 - Moneyline
Illinois +245, Nebraska -305 - Over/Under
43 points - Game time
8:00 p.m. ET - Location
Memorial Stadium | Lincoln, NE - Predicted Weather at Kick
80 degrees, Partly Cloudy - How to Watch
FOX
The Illinois vs. Nebraska odds started with the Cornhuskers as an eight-point favorite before creeping up slightly to -8.5. However, since Monday, a flurry of money on the Fighting Illini has seen the line fall to -7.5. Despite this, Matt Rhule’s team still heads into Friday night’s encounter expected to extend their unbeaten run.
With some impressive defensive displays from both teams, the oddsmakers aren’t predicting a free-scoring showdown between the two Big Ten teams. The line opened at 46.5 and has steadily dropped, coming to rest midweek at 43 points.
Illinois enters 2-1 against the spread, and Nebraska looks to remain unbeaten against the spread in 2024 as it enters 3-0. These two Big Ten squads are a combined 0-6 to the Under, explaining why the total has and may continue to drop before kickoff.
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
- QB Dylan Raiola, Nebraska
- QB Luke Altmyer, Illinois
- RB Dante Dowdell, Nebraska
- RB Kaden Feagin, Illinois
- RB Rahmir Johnson, Nebraska
- WR Zakhari Franklin, Illinois
- WR Isaiah Neyor, Nebraska
- WR Pat Bryant, Illinois
- WR Jacory Barney, Nebraska
- WR Jahmal Banks, Nebraska
This one may be about the defenses, but you can always find some fantasy value in a Friday night showdown.
Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola has been impressive for the Huskers, throwing for 670 yards, five touchdowns, and just one interception this season. He is coming off a strong performance in a 34-3 win over Northern Iowa, where he passed for 247 yards and two touchdowns.
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Raiola’s top target has been Isaiah Neyor, a 6’4″ transfer from Wyoming with an exceptional catch radius and big-bodied frame. He has 12 catches for 187 yards and two scores so far in 2024 and leads the Huskers in targets. He’ll be a big part of the action on Friday.
For the Illini, signal caller Luke Altmyer has done everything that has been asked of him. He’s thrown for 647 yards and six scores and hasn’t turned the ball over in the air. He relies heavily on two legitimate pass-catching threats.
Pat Bryant leads Illinois in touchdowns with four, to go along with 235 receiving yards. Altmyer also loves Zakhari Franklin, who leads the Fighting Illini in catches and targets.
If you’re looking for a DFS running back in this one, it is Illinois’ Kaden Feagin. He is a major focal point of their offense with 42 carries for 173 yards and three scores.
Prediction for Illinois vs. Nebraska
This is a marquee matchup between two very good football teams and two teams I’ve enjoyed watching in 2024. The 3-0 Huskers are on a mission to prove themselves in the Big Ten and have cracked the top 25 rankings for the first time in eight years.
Both teams head into this matchup following dominant victories. Nebraska’s offense totaled 423 yards, including 281 through the air, with an impressive 8.8 yards per play and 22 first downs against Northern Iowa. On the defensive side, the Cornhuskers limited their opponent to 301 total yards (162 passing) and held them to 6-of-16 on third-down conversions.
While I like what the Illinois offense has done in 2024, I don’t think they’ve played a defense quite like Nebraska, and they certainly haven’t been in an environment like they’ll experience in Lincoln on Friday night.
It should be an excellent night for college football in Lincoln, as Husker fans have been desperately waiting to have a contender to root for in Nebraska for quite some time. Now they have a ranked team, and on Friday, they get their first win as a ranked team over another ranked program in quite some time.
Prediction: Illinois 13, Nebraska 24
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