Two teams seeking their first conference victories of the season clash on Friday as the Illinois Fighting Illini host the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a Big Ten Conference showdown. The clubs have identical 2-3 overall records and fell to 0-2 in conference play last weekend, with Illinois suffering a 44-19 setback at Purdue and Nebraska getting trounced 45-7 by Michigan. The Fighting Illini have won three straight meetings with the Cornhuskers to improve to 6-13-1 in the all-time series.
Kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. The Fighting Illini are 3-point favorites in the latest Illinois vs. Nebraska odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 42. Before making any Nebraska vs. Illinois picks, you need to see the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a stunning profit of more than $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Illinois vs. Nebraska and just revealed its picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine to see the model's CFB picks. Here are several college football odds and trends for Nebraska vs. Illinois:
- Illinois vs. Nebraska spread: Fighting Illini -3
- Illinois vs. Nebraska over/under: 42 points
- Illinois vs. Nebraska money line: Fighting Illini -156, Cornhuskers +132
- ILL: The Fighting Illini are 5-0 against the spread in their last five against unranked conference opponents
- NEB: The Cornhuskers are 0-5 ATS this season
- Illinois vs. Nebraska picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Illinois vs. Nebraska live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why Illinois can cover
The Fighting Illini have allowed the most points among Big Ten teams (153) but are facing a Nebraska team that is the only member of the conference yet to reach triple digits in points scored this season (94). Illinois posted a dominant 26-9 road victory over the Cornhuskers last year, limiting Nebraska to nine first downs and 60 rushing yards while forcing four turnovers. Wideout Isaiah Williams has caught a touchdown pass in each of the last two meetings between the teams and looks to have another big outing on Friday.
The junior receiver, who made nine catches for 93 yards in last year's win at Nebraska, is seeking his first TD of 2023. Williams still has been a solid offensive contributor, however, as he has recorded back-to-back 100-yard performances and leads the Big Ten with 30 catches and 446 receiving yards. He also is tied for first in the conference with 20 first-down receptions. With 162 career catches, Williams needs to haul in eight passes to move from fifth place to second on Illinois' all-time list. See which team to pick here.
Why Nebraska can cover
After winning his first two career starts, quarterback Heinrich Haarberg set a career high last week as he threw for 199 yards against the Wolverines. The sophomore has averaged 239 yards of total offense in his first three starts, passing for 464 while running for 253. Haarberg has thrown three touchdown passes and just one interception in those contests while also rushing for a pair of scores.
Billy Kemp IV is Nebraska's top receiver with 17 catches for 193 yards and a TD in his first season with the Cornhuskers after four at Virginia. Kemp needs 33 receiving yards to reach 2,000 for his career. On the other side of the ball, Nebraska has been strong against the run, allowing an average of 86.8 yards on the ground to rank third in the Big Ten and 14th in the nation. See which team to pick here.
How to make Illinois vs. Nebraska picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 39 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in more than 50% of simulations. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Illinois vs. Nebraska, and which side of the spread hits more than 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Nebraska vs. Illinois spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has notched a profit of more than $2,000 on its top-rated college football spread picks, and find out.
