Week 6 of the college football season is already underway throughout the country, and that will continue on Friday night. There will be a huge game in the Big Ten Conference as the Nebraska Cornhuskers visit the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Nebraska comes into this game with a record of 2-3, and this program is hoping to get back on track in 2023. The Cornhuskers have had some really tough times over the last few years, but they have managed to win two games this season.
Illinois is coming into this game with plenty of questions, as they have dropped three of their last four games. The Fighting Illini nearly won the Big Ten West a season ago, but they have some work to do this year.
The Fighting Illini are 3.5-point betting favorites over the Cornhuskers in this Friday night Big Ten Conference showdown.
Nebraska Wants to Run
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are averaging 209 rushing yards per game this season, and they are committed to running the football. Quarterback Heinrich Haarberg is the leading rushing with 270 yards on the ground, and they will try to run over Illinois.
The problem for Nebraska is that they are averaging just 140 passing yards per game, and that allows defenses to stack the box against them. This team is going to have to find a way to move the ball on offense to win games.
Illinois Can’t Get Stops
Illinois was one of the best defensive teams in the country a season ago, but that hasn’t been the case this season. The Fighting Illini are allowing 390 yards per game this season, and they have given up some huge plays.
This defense is going to have to stand tall on Friday night as they need to set the offense up with some good field position. Quarterback Luke Altmyer has thrown for nearly 250 yards per game, but he has also tossed seven interceptions.
Illinois is not in a position to turn the ball over and still win games, and that has to be a major key in this matchup. The Fighting Illini are able to move the football on offense, but they can’t overcome a massive lack of defense.
Fighting Illini Win Tight Game
Both of these programs could use a Big Ten win in the worst way, and that is going to make this game extremely interesting. Nebraska and Illinois are two teams that do some things extremely well, but there are also some big weaknesses.
Playing at home is going to give this Illinois team a boost in this matchup, and that offense should find a way to score some points. Nebraska just doesn’t have the offense to keep up and win this game, but they will be able to keep this game close.
Take the 3.5-points in this game and back the Cornhuskers, but it will be Illinois that finds a way to win this game.
