The No. 17 University of Illinois Fighting Illini (6-1, 3-1 Big 10) head to take on the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-4, 2-2 Big 10) at Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium on Saturday for a matchup that pits the Big Ten Conference’s toughest passing defense against one of its most potent aerial offenses.
The Fighting Illini are 7.5-point favorites, and the total is 50.5.Illinois is coming off a 26-14 win over Minnesota at Memorial Stadium on October 15, their fifth straight victory. Tommy DeVito was 25 of 32 for 252 yards and a touchdown. Chase Brown ran 41 times for 180 yards. He added three receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown. Isaiah Williams caught nine passes for 62 yards.
Nebraska lost 43-37 to Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 15. Casey Thompson threw for 354 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Trey Palmer carried one time for 60 yards and added seven catches for 237 yards and a receiving TD.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Fighting Illini won the only game between the teams last season, a 30-22 victory in August. Artur Sitkowski threw two touchdowns for Illinois.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Fighting Illini are averaging 26.0 points per game for the season, 85th in FBS, and they are facing a Cornhuskers defense that has surrendered 31.3 PPG (107th). Meanwhile, Nebraska has scored 29.7 points a game this season, 66th in the country, and Illinois is allowing 8.9 PPG (1st).
The Fighting Illini rank 94th in the country in passing yards per game (216.9) and 26th in rushing (198.9). Look for them to exploit matchup advantages through the air and on the ground, as the Cornhuskers are 121st in the country in passing yards allowed per game (281.3) and 115th against the run (190.4).
Nebraska is 38th in the country in passing yards per game (269.4) and 68th in rushing (154.7). Illinois’ defense has been strong on both fronts, as the Fighting Illini are 2nd in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (143.3) and 2nd against the run (77.9).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through seven games, Tommy DeVito has thrown for 10 touchdowns (2 INT) and 202.1 yards per game to lead Illinois in passing. In two away games this season, he has two TDs (1 INT) and an average of 199.5 yards passing. Chase Brown leads the team in rushing with an average of 151.3 yards a game over seven games.
He has four touchdowns on the ground. Pat Bryant is the Fighting Illini’s leading receiver with 61.8 yards a game and two TDs.Casey Thompson has 11 passing touchdowns (8 INT) with 264.4 yards per game through seven games to lead Nebraska. In four home games this season, he has thrown for six TDs (2 INT) and an average of 227.5 yards.
Anthony Grant has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 97.4 yards a game through seven games. He has six touchdowns. Trey Palmer has been a star in the Cornhuskers’ aerial attack. He has five touchdowns and a 111.6 yard per game average through seven appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Illinois (-300)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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