Nebraska at Illinois - 2023 Matchup Preview
Nebraska logo Nebraska Cornhuskers at Illinois Fighting Illini(#22)Illinois logo
Friday, October 6th 2023 (8:00 PM EDT)
Illinois -3.5 (43.0) (-155)  Open: -3.0 | 44.5
Nebraska 20 - Illinois: 7  (Big Ten)

 
Cornhuskers (5 - 7) (5 - 7 - 0)
Coach Matt Rhule (1 - 2)
Avg Score : 18 - 18 (16 - 20 on Road)
Record Prediction: 6.5 - 5.5 (#68)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Wind: 13.9 MPH
ILL is playing their 6th straight game
NEB is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: Illinois -0  (SP+ NEB -2.5)

Projected Score: NEB: 23 - ILL: 23 (45)
ILL Win prob: 62% | Cover: 49%
NEB Travel: 448 miles
Fighting Illini (5 - 7) (3 - 9 - 0)
Coach Bret Bielema (14 - 14)
Avg Score : 25 - 29 (26 - 30 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5.2 - 6.8 (#95)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Nebraska's 2023 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/31 Nebraska at Minnesota+7.543.0L 10 - 13UY
Sat 9/9 Nebraska at Colorado+2.556.5L 14 - 36UN
Sat 9/16 Nebraska vs Northern Illinois-11.542.5W 35 - 11OY
Sat 9/23 Nebraska vs Louisiana Tech-20.544.5W 28 - 14UN
Sat 9/30 Nebraska vs Michigan+17.039.5L 7 - 45ON
Fri 10/6 Nebraska at Illinois+3.543.0W 20 - 7UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/21 Nebraska vs Northwestern-10.540.0W 17 - 9UN
Sat 10/28 Nebraska vs Purdue+1.039.5W 31 - 14OY
Sat 11/4 Nebraska at Michigan State-3.034.5L 17 - 20ON
Sat 11/11 Nebraska vs Maryland+1.541.5L 10 - 13UN
Sat 11/18 Nebraska at Wisconsin+7.536.5L 17 - 24OY
Fri 11/24 Nebraska vs Iowa-3.025.5L 10 - 13UN

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 2023 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/2 Illinois vs Toledo-7.045.5W 30 - 28ON
Fri 9/8 Illinois at Kansas+3.557.5L 23 - 34UN
Sat 9/16 Illinois vs Penn State+14.047.5L 13 - 30UN
Sat 9/23 Illinois vs Florida Atlantic-16.045.5W 23 - 17UN
Sat 9/30 Illinois at Purdue+1.054.0L 19 - 44ON
Fri 10/6 Illinois vs Nebraska-3.543.0L 7 - 20UN
Sat 10/14 Illinois at Maryland+13.552.0W 27 - 24UY
Sat 10/21 Illinois vs Wisconsin+3.040.5L 21 - 25ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/4 Illinois at Minnesota+1.543.0W 27 - 26OY
Sat 11/11 Illinois vs Indiana-4.543.5W 48 - 45ON
Sat 11/18 Illinois at Iowa+2.533.5L 13 - 15UY
Sat 11/25 Illinois vs Northwestern-5.046.5L 43 - 45ON

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 (2023)
 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#105 (.13)38% (111)1842% (84)3.31 (33)17734% (125)1363.33 (104)#18 (.1)38% (22)18.337% (18)39% (31)3.09 (16)42.32.61.2
ILL#66 (.2)45% (30)24.544% (56)3.31 (32)12548% (14)2663.9 (71)#85 (.2)44% (102)29.445% (87)45% (110)4.09 (96)62.41.91.3
 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#74 (.18)45% (37)48% (22)3.21 (40)12143% (55)2103.38 (114)#44 (.13)40% (50)39% (24)42% (82)3.06 (11)48.91.31.2
ILL#31 (.25)45% (45)45% (51)3.14 (49)14044% (44)1984.23 (39)#76 (.18)46% (115)50% (127)43% (90)3.48 (37)390.91.5



Overall Stats 2023
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NEB Offense121815.638.1%3.332.6163131771364.462%36%42%34%22%.13
ILL Defense1229.43044.4%4.091.3 - - - - - 51%49%45%45%15%.2
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NEB Defense1218.32037.6%3.091.2 - - - - - 43%56%37%39%20%.1
ILL Offense1224.526.445.5%3.91.9203911252663.845%53%44%48%20%.2

Additional Stats 2023
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Nebraska1230:5316.438%50%542.32.61.26.32.7029
Illinois1228:2420.337%54%6.662.41.91.34.81.9226
Run Game Stats (2023)
 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 Offense1262% (5)42% (84)39.8176.84.416 (89).12 (84)3.31 (33)76% (51)14% (129)0.99 (72)
ILL Defense1251% (75)45% (87) - - - - .15 (78)3.27 (104)73% (68)9% (100)0.89 (22)
 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 Defense1243% (8)37% (18) - - - - .03 (16)3.15 (81)73% (70)12% (22)0.77 (3)
ILL Offense1245% (103)44% (56)33125.13.812 (116).07 (108)3.31 (32)67% (109)12% (98)0.84 (125)

Pass Game Stats (2023)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NEB Offense1236% (129)34% (125)11.321.8135.96.31210 (120)16 (121).24 (85)1.9 (7)34% (100)25% (118).28 (84)7% (110)2.4 (5)
ILL Defense1249% (69)45% (110) - - - - - - 7 (111).28 (76)1.5 (21)31% (78)34% (114).3 (63)6% (62)1.8 (7)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NEB Defense1256% (126)39% (31) - - - - - - 9 (87).2 (31)1.5 (35)35% (25)26% (20).27 (44)8% (17)2.1 (83)
ILL Offense1253% (35)48% (14)21.834.5265.97.712.223 (51)13 (97).37 (35)1.5 (108)28% (14)33% (48).36 (63)9% (130)1.9 (108)

Nebraska's Power Ratings
Nebraska's Power Rating: 1.61  #53
Nebraska's Offense Rating: 10.32  #121
Nebraska's Defense Rating: 5.24  #28
2023 Talent Rating: 482.00  #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 24%  #27
Nebraska's 2023 Expected Record: 6.50 - 5.50
Nebraska's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: 0.1  #65
Nebraska's Offense SP+ Rating: 16.0  #123
Nebraska's Defense SP+ Rating: 14.4  #8

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 482
Average Power Five Talent: 482
Average FBS Talent: 482

Power Ratings Matchup
Nebraska: 1.61   Illinois: 1.055

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Nebraska: 0.1   Illinois: -2.6




Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 1.055  #63
Illinois's Offense Rating: 18.75  #47
Illinois's Defense Rating: 13.25  #104
2023 Talent Rating: 482.00  #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 4  #63
Illinois's 2023 Expected Record: 5.20 - 6.80
Illinois's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: -2.6  #75
Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 22.1  #90
Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 24.6  #49

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 482
Average Power Five Talent: 482
Average FBS Talent: 482


Nebraska Scoring
Offense: 18 PPG
Offense on Road: 15.6
Defense: 18.3 PPG
Defense on Road: 20

Nebraska's 2023 Record
Record: 5 - 7
Record vs Spread: 5 - 7 - 0
Over/Under Record: 5 - 7
Record on Road: 1 - 4
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 2 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 4 - 3 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 3 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Nebraska 23
Illinois 23


Total Points: 45

Based on Last 4 Games
Illinois 25
Nebraska 22

Total Points: 47

Based on Entire Season
Nebraska 23
Illinois 22

Total Points: 45
Illinois Scoring
Offense: 24.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.4
Defense: 29.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 30

Illinois's 2023 Record
Record: 5 - 7
Record vs Spread: 3 - 9 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 6
Record at home: 3 - 4
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 7 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 0 - 5 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 0 - 5 - 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

(#53) NEB at (#63) ILL
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNEBILL
Power RatePwr #53 #63
SP+SP+ #65 #75
Perf GradeGrade #98 #72
OffenseOff #125 #70
DefenseDef #40 #67
Spec TeamsST #9 #7
TalentTal #1 #1
Blue ChipsBC% #27 #63
Nebraska on Offense
CategoryCat
NEB OffILL Def
Perf GradePerf #125 #67
SuccessSuc #111 #102
ExplosiveExp #70 #14
PPAPPA #105 #85
PowerPwr #121 #104
SP+SP+ #123 #49
Pts POPPO #104 #96
HavocHav #130 #87
Nebraska Run Game
CategoryCat
NEB OffILL Def
Run GameRun #128 #40
Run SuccessRSuc #84 #87
Run ExplRExp #72 #22
PPAExp #84 #78
Run BlockR Blk #50 -
OL YdsOLY #33 #104
Stuff RateStuff #15 #83
TackleTak -  #28
Nebraska Pass Game
CategoryCat
NEB OffILL Def
Pass GamePass #134 #110
Pass SuccessPSuc #125 #110
Pass ExplPExl #7 #21
PPAExp #85 #76
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #76 #70
F7 HavocF7 #129 #100
DB HavocDB #110 #62
Illinois on Offense
CategoryCatILL OffNEB Def
Perf GradePerf #70 #40
SuccessSuc #30 #22
ExplosiveExp #113 #17
PPAPPA #66 #18
PowerPwr #47 #28
SP+SP+ #90 #8
Pts POPPO #71 #16
HavocHav #124 #12
Illinois Run Game
CategoryCat
ILL OffNEB Def
Run GameRun #124 #51
Run SuccessRSuc #56 #18
Run ExplRExp #125 #3
PPAExp #108 #16
Run BlockR Blk #51 -
OL YdsOLY #32 #81
Stuff RateStuff #23 #122
TackleTak -  #15
Illinois Pass Game
CategoryCatILL OffNEB Def
Pass GamePass #50 #33
Pass SuccessPSuc #14 #31
Pass ExplPExl #108 #35
PPAExp #35 #31
Pass Block/RushP Blk #118 #91
F7 HavocF7 #98 #22
DB HavocDB #130 #17
Program Comparison
ILL 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Down to Top G5

NEB 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Down to Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions: Clear
Temp: 51° - Wind: 14 mph
Rematch from Week 6
Illinois -3.5 (43.0)
Nebraska won at Illinois this year (20-7)

Previous Matchups
Illinois beat Nebraska last year (31-24)
Nebraska beat Illinois in 2023 (20-7)
Illinois beat Nebraska in 2022 (26-9)

  
NEB's OC Marcus Satterfield (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Heinrich Haarberg7715749%967776.2
Chubba Purdy315754%382236.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Heinrich Haarberg12047754.072
Anthony Grant10441334.034
Emmett Johnson9041124.629
Gabe Ervin3819615.227
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Billy Kemp (Tr)3531018.934
Thomas Fidone Jr.25260410.429
Jaylen Lloyd6237339.573
Alex Bullock15221114.734

View Nebraska's Full Roster

NEB's DC Tony White (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Isaac Gifford867108
Javin Wright512102
Omar Brown513003
John Bullock503212
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jimari Butler349612
Luke Reimer488550
Nash Hutmacher408542
Cameron Lenhardt165310
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tommi Hill261009
Isaac Gifford867108
Malcolm Hartzog402006

ILL's OC Barry Lunney Jr. (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Luke Altmyer (Tr)17527065%188313107.0
John Paddock (Tr)8514260%1294939.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Reggie Love III11656744.961
Kaden Feagin9543824.625
Luke Altmyer (Tr)9428233.072
Joshua McCray4315623.614
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Isaiah Williams821055512.967
Casey Washington49670413.780
Patrick Bryant43560713.046
Tip Reiman19203310.742

View Illinois's Full Roster

ILL's DC Aaron Henry (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dylan Rosiek828123
Miles Scott630003
Xavier Scott5700011
Jer'Zhan Newton529892
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jer'Zhan Newton529892
Seth Coleman509623
Gabe Jacas314351
Keith Randolph Jr.494241
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Xavier Scott5700011
Tahveon Nicholson362006
Zachary Tobe250005