Nebraska vs. Illinois Fearless Prediction & Game Preview

Check out the Nebraska vs. Illinois fearless prediction and game preview.

Nebraska (2-2) vs. Illinois (2-1) Game Preview

Broadcast, TV, Game Time

Date: Friday, September 29th
Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
Venue: Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL
Network: FS1

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What’s the problem, Nebraska? You’re 1-0 in Big Ten play.

Of course, the first part of the season has been a disaster for the Huskers, with a win over Arkansas State that probably should’ve been a loss, a horrible first half against Oregon, and then came the clunker against Northern Illinois.

As bad as all that was, looking awful in a ten-point win over Rutgers might have been worse.

But a win at Illinois would make it 2-0 in the conference with Wisconsin coming up next in Lincoln. the chance is there to turn this around – can Big Red flip the switch?

Illinois has had time off to get ready for its Big Ten opener after being embarrassed two weeks earlier on national TV against USF. This is the moment when the Lovie Smith era has to make a bit of a statement.

If that’s even possible at this point by beating Nebraska.

One Reason Why Nebraska Will Win

The Nebraska defense has to be terrific. Lost on all of the problems – and the Oregon game – has been an okay year so far from that side of the ball. Now it needs to come up with a dominant performance.

Illinois has a pedestrian running game, and it has a potential mess with the passing attack if QB Chayce Crouch can’t be better.

Nebraska’s defensive front really has been solid so far, allowing 85 rushing yards or fewer in three of the first four games, and despite the 201 allowed to Oregon, it tightened up as the game went on.

As long as the D can keep the Huskers in the game, it’s possible against this mediocre team to pull this off, but …

One Reason Why Illinois Will Win

Nebraska can’t stop screwing up.

QB Tanner Lee has been a disastrous disappointment. He might have thrown for over 200 yards in each of the first three games, and wasn’t bad against Arkansas State, but the nine interceptions in the last three games have been a killer.

Illinois isn’t bad when it comes to turnover margin, and this week it has to be a +2.

Yes, Nebraska’s defense has been solid, but there’s no real pass rush without enough pressure to force mistakes. Illinois needs all the time it can get get the passing game to click, and it’ll get it.

What’s Going To Happen

It’s this simple. If Lee doesn’t throw interceptions, Nebraska will win.

The Huskers will control the time of possession, and the defense will rise up and keep the mediocre Illinois offense from getting into any sort of a groove.

There won’t be offensive fireworks from either side, but the Illinois D won’t get off the field. This is the week Nebraska looks functional, even if it’s not fantastic.