Illinois vs Nebraska Picks and Prediction – 9/21/2024

Memorial Stadium will play host to a Friday night Big Ten Conference clash between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Make sure you are ready for all the football action with our college football picks. The 24th ranked Fighting Illini are off to a surprising 3-0 start for head coach Bret Bielema and are averaging 32.7 points per game. On Saturday, Illinois kept Central Michigan out of the end zone during a 30-9 home victory. 

Illinois QB Luke Altmeyer (242 yds) connected with WR Pat Bryant on touchdown strikes of 11 and 20 yards. Bryant finished with a game-high 102 receiving yards and Josh McCray added 54 yards on the ground for the Fighting Illini.  

The Nebraska Cornhuskers enter this game with plenty of optimism thanks to head coach Matt Rhule, who is the king of year two turnarounds. The 22nd ranked Cornhuskers (3-0) are improved on offense and lean heavily on a defense that is allowing less than a touchdown per game. On Saturday, Nebraska followed up an impressive victory versus Colorado with an easy 34-3 home victory versus FCS Northern Iowa. 

Freshman QB Dylan Raiola completed 17 of 23 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns. Jacory Barney Jr. rushed for a 10-yard score midway through the second quarter to give Nebraska a 21-7 advantage. Dante Dowdell added a game-high 55 rushing yards for the Cornhuskers. 

Illinois started the season with a shutout victory against Eastern Illinois and is allowing an average of 8.7 points. Nebraska is stout defensively and has raised the ceiling with the addition of talented QB Dylan Raiola. Look for the Cornhuskers to clamp down defensively and cover at home. Final Score Prediction, Nebraska Cornhuskers win 30-13.