Illinois Fighting Illini vs Nebraska Cornhuskers Prediction, 9/20/2024 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Nebraska Cornhuskers

Date: Friday, September 20, 2024

Location: Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, NE

TV: FOX

Odds/Point Spread: Cornhuskers (-9.0)

Total/Over-Under: 43.5

The Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-0) are welcoming the Illinois Fighting Illini (3-0) at Memorial Stadium on Friday, September 20, 2024. Nebraska opens this matchup as 9.0-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The total is set at 43.5.

The Illinois Fighting Illini come into this matchup with a record of 3-0 for this year. In their last contest, the Fighting Illini faced the Central Michigan Chippewas and earned the victory with a final of 30-9. The Illinois Fighting Illini ran the ball 29 different times and accrued 137 yards, which had them averaging 4.7 yards per tote. When the final whistle blew, they tallied 58 plays which gave them 379 yds. Illinois surrendered 15 pass completions on 29 attempts for 167 yards, and a completion percentage of 51.7%. On the ground, the Fighting Illini conceded 142 yds on 33 tries, which is 4.3 yards per rush surrendered.

Concerning putting the ball in the endzone, the Illinois Fighting Illini are sitting at 32.7 points per game. As a team they have an average of 153.3 yards via the ground game giving them a rank of 73rd in D-1. The Fighting Illini have attained 1,136 total yards this season. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, Illinois has earned 6 passing touchdowns and 4 touchdowns via the ground. Illinois has compiled 61 1st downs, and they have been called for 18 infractions for 146 yds. They have turned the ball over 1 time.

The Fighting Illini rank 14th in the nation concerning the opposition scoring, allowing 8.7 points per game. They are giving up an average of 4.2 yards per run and 123.0 rushing yards per game so far this year. In total, they have allowed 369 rushing yards through 3 games. When it comes to passing yards, the Fighting Illini have given up 455 yds which ranks them 40th in D-1. They have relinquished 151.7 yards per game via the pass in addition to giving up a completion percentage of 52.6%. For the year, they are granting 274.7 yards/game ranking them 33rd in D-1. They have conceded 2 touchdowns through the air in addition to no touchdowns via the ground game.

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The Cornhuskers head into this game 3-0 for this year. When they last played, the Cornhuskers walked away with a victory by a final of 34-3 against the Northern Iowa Panthers. Nebraska surrendered 39 attempts on the ground for 139 yards (3.6 yards per rush). The Cornhuskers secondary gave up a completion rate of 50.0%, relinquishing 162 yds on 16 for 32 through the air. The Cornhuskers finished with a total of 423 yards and they ran 48 plays (8.8 yds per play). Nebraska ran the football for 6.5 yds per attempt, finishing with a total of 142 yds on 22 attempts.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are averaging 421.3 yards/outing, which has them sitting 51st in the country. The Nebraska offense has 184 yds of penalties on 19 infractions, which is good for 56th in the country in terms of helping out the opposition. They average 171.3 run yards per game and have run for 514 yards for this year. They have thrown 1 picks while allowing opponents to recover 1 fumbles and they have obtained 74 first downs. Regarding their ability to score points, the Cornhuskers sit 45th in college football scoring 34.0 points per outing. Over the course of the season so far, the Cornhuskers have compiled 750 yards via the pass as well as an average of 250.0 passing yards per outing, ranking them 52nd in the nation.

Nebraska has surrendered a total of 211 yards rushing (70.3 yards per game) in addition to 0 touchdown on the ground this season. They have allowed 2 touchdowns through the air as well as 185.0 yards/outing, which has them in 57th in Division 1. They have compiled 1 fumbles recovered and 4 picks so far this year. The Cornhuskers defense has been on the field for 183 plays, which is 57th in D-1. The Cornhuskers are giving up 6.7 points per contest, which has them ranked 8th in D-1. Overall, they have conceded 20 total points.

Who will win tonight's Fighting Illini/Cornhuskers college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Fighting Illini +9.0

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