Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Betting Preview
Where: Memorial Stadium — Lincoln, Nebraska
When: Saturday, October 1, 2016, 3:30 PM ET
Line: Illinois Fighting Illini (+21) vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers (-21) – view all NCAA Football odds and lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN2
Writer’s Pick: Nebraska Cornhuskers (-21)
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Betting on the Illinois Fighting Illini (+21)
Entering this game as a three-touchdown underdog shouldn’t come as a surprise for the Illinois Fighting Illini, who had a week off to regroup after suffering back-to-back home losses against North Carolina and Western Michigan.
During that losing stretch, the Fighting Illini were outscored 82-33—an obvious proof of the team’s recent struggles on both sides of the field. Head coach Lovie Smith can only hope that his boys can finally get it together, and hopefully relocate some of the success they found in their season-opening win versus Murray State.
Illinois showcased its defensive prowess in that victory, gathering up six sacks along with a pair of early interceptions that held the Racers touchdown-less and to a mere three points. Offensively, things were clicking as well for the Fighting Illini, as they were efficiently led by senior QB Wes Lunt, who finished the game with 226 passing yards and three scores.
Replicating that performance on the road and against an undefeated and 15th-ranked Huskers’ program might be asking too much out of the Fighting Illini. However, they can remind themselves about last year’s 14-13 win over Nebraska, a game in which the Illinois D managed to limit quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. to a 32-percent completion rate and also his entire team to just 292 yards of total offense.
The Fighting Illini are 1-4 SU (2-3 ATS) in their last five games on the road.
Betting on the Nebraska Cornhuskers (-21)
Last season was an almost-indigestible year for Nebraska football fans, but right now, they’re beloved squad are looking like legitimate contenders.
The No. 15 Cornhuskers have marched through the first four weeks of the new season spotless. They are 4-0, which is only two wins away from matching their 2015 record, and recently became the Big Ten’s fourth team in the top 15 of the AP poll after beating Northwestern, 24-13, a week ago.
QB Tommy Armstrong Jr. has been superb overall, especially in the game against the Wildcats. He showcased his versatility, throwing for 246 yards and a touchdown while running with the ball for 132 yards, including a 37-yard dash. The Huskers also mounted 556 yards of total offense in that game, and you can expect almost the same kind of output versus a wavering Illinois defense this weekend.
And by the way, the Cornhuskers are going to be in revenge mode here. They ended up losing in to the Fighting Illini in last year’s meeting. Armstrong Jr., in particular, had a not-so-good performance there, which was mainly thanks to Illinois’ D. The senior quarterback will definitely try to make up for that.
Nebraska is 7-3 SU (6-3-1 ATS) in its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Huskers (-21) avenge last season’s loss, winning over Illinois by at least two touchdowns.
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