Nebraska at Illinois - 2021 Matchup Preview
Nebraska logo Nebraska Cornhuskers at Illinois Fighting IlliniIllinois logo
Saturday, August 28th 2021 (1:20 PM EDT)
Nebraska -6.5 (52.0)
Illinois 30 - Nebraska: 22  (Big Ten)

 
Cornhuskers (3 - 9) (7 - 5 - 0)
Coach Scott Frost (14 - 22)
Avg Score : 29 - 25 (20 - 28 on Road)
'21 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Our Line: -0.5  (SP+ NEB -6)
Projected Score: NEB: 22 - ILL: 28 (50)
NEB Win prob: 68% | Cover: 48%
NEB Travel: 448 miles
Fighting Illini (5 - 7) (7 - 4 - 1)
Coach Bret Bielema (1 - 3)
Avg Score : 29 - 24 (31 - 14 @ Home)
'21 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Nebraska's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/28 Nebraska at Illinois-6.552.0L 22 - 30UN
Sat 9/4 Nebraska vs Fordham-42.055.0W 52 - 7OY
Sat 9/11 Nebraska vs Buffalo-13.554.0W 28 - 3UY
Sat 9/18 Nebraska at Oklahoma+22.562.5L 16 - 23UY
Sat 9/25 Nebraska at Michigan State+3.555.0L 20 - 23UY
Sat 10/2 Nebraska vs Northwestern-11.051.5W 56 - 7OY
Sat 10/9 Nebraska vs Michigan+2.550.5L 29 - 32ON
Sat 10/16 Nebraska at Minnesota-4.548.5L 23 - 30ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/30 Nebraska vs Purdue-7.554.0L 23 - 28UN
Sat 11/6 Nebraska vs Ohio State+14.068.5L 17 - 26UY
Sat 11/13 Nebraska vs SE Louisiana-28.5
Sat 11/20 Nebraska at Wisconsin+10.043.5L 28 - 35OY
Fri 11/26 Nebraska vs Iowa-1.541.0L 21 - 28ON

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Nebraska's Schedule
Illinois's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/28 Illinois vs Nebraska+6.552.0W 30 - 22UY
Sat 9/4 Illinois vs UTSA-4.552.0L 30 - 37ON
Sat 9/11 Illinois at Virginia+10.557.0L 14 - 42UN
Fri 9/17 Illinois vs Maryland+7.061.5L 17 - 20UY
Sat 9/25 Illinois at Purdue+10.553.5L 9 - 13UY
Sat 10/2 Illinois vs Charlotte-10.054.0W 24 - 14UN
Sat 10/9 Illinois vs Wisconsin+12.542.0L 0 - 24UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/23 Illinois at Penn State+24.546.0W 20 - 18UY
Sat 10/30 Illinois vs Rutgers+1.541.5L 14 - 20UN
Sat 11/6 Illinois at Minnesota+14.544.5W 14 - 6UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/20 Illinois at Iowa+12.037.5L 23 - 33OY
Sat 11/27 Illinois vs Northwestern-7.045.0W 47 - 14OY

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Illinois's Schedule
Important Stats (2020)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NEB.1847%28.750%3.0120144%1883.3.1942%24.641%43%3.7560.62.30.9
ILL.1439%29.443%2.9419531%1532.92.3250%23.649%52%4.4450.11.11.9
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NEB0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
ILL0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2020
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NEB Offense828.719.547.3%3.32.3213892011884.858%42%50%44%18%.18
ILL Defense823.614.450.4%4.441.9 - - - - - 58%42%49%52%14%.32
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NEB Defense824.628.342.2%3.750.9 - - - - - 55%45%41%43%17%.19
ILL Offense829.431.338.6%2.921.1183481951534.861%39%43%31%16%.14

Additional Stats 2020
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Nebraska828:2521.336%62%6.860.62.30.96.61.6024.7
Illinois827:021838%47%4.950.11.11.95.62.3027.8
Run Game Stats (2021)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NEB Offense858%50%41.8201.44.815.23.0182%13%0.9
ILL Defense858%49% - - - - .23.4285%10%0.96
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NEB Defense855%41% - - - - .122.7358%12%1.05
ILL Offense861%43%40.6194.94.89.162.9474%11%1.11

Pass Game Stats (2021)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NEB Offense842%44%19.428.51886.69.759.161.327%25%.245%2
ILL Defense842%52% - - - - - - 7.471.525%32%.394%2.1
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NEB Defense845%43% - - - - - - 5.271.530%34%.355%2
ILL Offense839%31%11.424.3152.96.313.4104.121.935%30%.245%2.1

Nebraska's Power Ratings
Nebraska's Power Rating: NR
Nebraska's Offense Rating: NR
Nebraska's Defense Rating: NR
2021 Talent Rating:  #25
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Nebraska's 2021 Expected Record: -
Nebraska's 2021 Overall SP+ Rating: 10.3  #35
Nebraska's Offense SP+ Rating: 34.1  #33
Nebraska's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.3  #27

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Nebraska:    Illinois: 4.65

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Nebraska: 10.3   Illinois: 4.3




Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 4.65 NR
Illinois's Offense Rating: NR
Illinois's Defense Rating: NR
2021 Talent Rating:  #51
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 NR
Illinois's 2021 Expected Record: -
Illinois's 2021 Overall SP+ Rating: 4.3  #64
Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 23.2  #99
Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.8  #32

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Nebraska Scoring
Offense: 28.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 19.5
Defense: 24.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.3

Nebraska's 2021 Record
Record: 3 - 9
Record vs Spread: 7 - 5 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 6
Record on Road: 0 - 5
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 2 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 3 - 4 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 0 - 2 - 0
Projected Score
Illinois 28
Nebraska 22

Projected Total Points: 50
Illinois Scoring
Offense: 29.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 31.3
Defense: 23.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 14.4

Illinois's 2021 Record
Record: 5 - 7
Record vs Spread: 7 - 4 - 1
Over/Under Record: 3 - 9
Record at home: 3 - 4
Record vs Spread at home: 3 - 3 - 1
Record as Dog vs Spread: 6 - 3 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 2 - 2 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202409/20Nebraska24Illinois31Nebraska -9.5Illinois41.5Over
202310/06Illinois7Nebraska20Illinois -3.5Nebraska43.0Under
202210/29Nebraska9Illinois26Illinois -7.5Illinois50.5Under
202108/28Illinois30Nebraska22Nebraska -6.5Illinois52.0Push
202011/21Nebraska23Illinois41Nebraska -17.0Illinois61.0Over
201909/21Illinois38Nebraska42Nebraska -13Illinois62.5Over
201811/10Nebraska54Illinois35Nebraska -17Nebraska71.0Over
201709/29Illinois6Nebraska28Nebraska -6.5Nebraska47.5Under
201610/01Nebraska31Illinois16Nebraska -21.5Illinois53.0Under
201510/03Illinois14Nebraska13Nebraska -7.5Illinois57.0Under
201409/27Nebraska45Illinois14Nebraska -19Nebraska0
201310/05Nebraska39Illinois19Nebraska -10.5Nebraska0
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Illinois574 Overs
Nebraska755 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams6 - 66 - 63 - 43 - 2
Road Teams6 - 66 - 62 - 34 - 3

(#) NEB at (#) ILL
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNEBILL
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #35 #64
Perf GradeGrade #93 #53
OffenseOff #78 #84
DefenseDef #83 #39
Spec TeamsST #63 #26
TalentTal #25 #51
Blue ChipsBC%NRNR
Nebraska on Offense
CategoryCat
NEB OffILL Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #78 #39
SuccessSucNRNR
ExplosiveExpNRNR
PPAPPANRNR
PowerPwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #33 #32
Pts POPPONRNR
HavocHavNRNR
Nebraska Run Game
CategoryCat
NEB OffILL Def
Run GameRun #88 #78
Run SuccessRSucNRNR
Run ExplRExpNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Run BlockR Blk #75 -
OL YdsOLYNRNR
Stuff RateStuffNRNR
TackleTak -  #12
Nebraska Pass Game
CategoryCat
NEB OffILL Def
Pass GamePass #58 #24
Pass SuccessPSucNRNR
Pass ExplPExlNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #132 #31
F7 HavocF7NRNR
DB HavocDBNRNR
Illinois on Offense
CategoryCatILL OffNEB Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #84 #83
SuccessSucNRNR
ExplosiveExpNRNR
PPAPPANRNR
PowerPwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #99 #27
Pts POPPONRNR
HavocHavNRNR
Illinois Run Game
CategoryCat
ILL OffNEB Def
Run GameRun #77 #114
Run SuccessRSucNRNR
Run ExplRExpNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Run BlockR Blk #12 -
OL YdsOLYNRNR
Stuff RateStuffNRNR
TackleTak -  #80
Illinois Pass Game
CategoryCatILL OffNEB Def
Pass GamePass #127 #27
Pass SuccessPSucNRNR
Pass ExplPExlNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Pass Block/RushP Blk #100 #68
F7 HavocF7NRNR
DB HavocDBNRNR
Program Comparison
ILL 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'21 Profile: Remains Top G5

NEB 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'21 Profile: Up to Average P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 87° - Wind: 9 mph
Rematch from Week 1
Nebraska 6.5 (52.0)
Illinois won vs Nebraska this year (30-22)

Previous Matchups
Illinois beat Nebraska in 2024 (31-24)
Nebraska beat Illinois in 2023 (20-7)

  
NEB's OC Matt Lubick (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Nebraska's Full Roster

NEB's DC Erik Chinander (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD

ILL's OC Tony Petersen (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Illinois's Full Roster

ILL's DC Ryan Walters (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD