Illinois at Nebraska - 2024 Matchup Preview
Illinois logo (#9)Illinois Fighting Illini at Nebraska CornhuskersNebraska logo
Friday, September 20th 2024 (8:00 PM EDT)
Nebraska -9.5 (41.5) (-350)  Open: -8.5 | 43.5
Illinois 31 - Nebraska: 24  (Big Ten)

 
Fighting Illini (10 - 3) (9 - 4 - 0)
Coach Bret Bielema (18 - 19)
Avg Score : 28 - 22 (21 - 29 on Road)
Record Prediction: 10 - 3 (#17)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
NEB 4th straight Home Game
NEB is playing their 4th straight game
ILL is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Nebraska -1.5  (SP+ ILL -4)

Projected Score: ILL: 19 - NEB: 21 (40)
NEB Win prob: 79% | Cover: 55%
ILL Travel: 448 miles
Cornhuskers (7 - 6) (8 - 4 - 1)
Coach Matt Rhule (5 - 7)
Avg Score : 24 - 20 (29 - 16 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7 - 6 (#59)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Illinois's 2024 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/29 Illinois vs Eastern Illinois-28.550.5W 45 - 0UY
Sat 9/7 Illinois vs Kansas+4.558.5W 23 - 17UY
Sat 9/14 Illinois vs Central Michigan-21.549.5W 30 - 9UN
Fri 9/20 Illinois at Nebraska+9.541.5W 31 - 24OY
Sat 9/28 Illinois at Penn State+19.548.0L 7 - 21UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/12 Illinois vs Purdue-22.547.5W 50 - 49ON
Sat 10/19 Illinois vs Michigan+6.044.0W 21 - 7UY
Sat 10/26 Illinois at Oregon+22.554.0L 9 - 38UN
Sat 11/2 Illinois vs Minnesota+2.547.0L 17 - 25UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/16 Illinois vs Michigan State-2.047.5W 38 - 16OY
Sat 11/23 Illinois at Rutgers+2.048.0W 38 - 31OY
Sat 11/30 Illinois vs Northwestern-8.542.5W 38 - 28OY
Tue 12/31 Illinois vs South Carolina+9.550.0W 21 - 17UY

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
Nebraska's 2024 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/31 Nebraska vs UTEP-27.549.0W 40 - 7UY
Sat 9/7 Nebraska vs Colorado-6.555.0W 28 - 10UY
Sat 9/14 Nebraska vs Northern Iowa-30.549.5W 34 - 3UY
Fri 9/20 Nebraska vs Illinois-9.541.5L 24 - 31ON
Sat 9/28 Nebraska at Purdue-10.047.5W 28 - 10UY
Sat 10/5 Nebraska vs Rutgers-7.039.5W 14 - 7UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/19 Nebraska at Indiana+6.548.0L 7 - 56ON
Sat 10/26 Nebraska at Ohio State+25.048.5L 17 - 21UY
Sat 11/2 Nebraska vs UCLA-7.538.5L 20 - 27ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/16 Nebraska at USC+6.551.0L 20 - 28UN
Sat 11/23 Nebraska vs Wisconsin-1.540.5W 44 - 25OY
Fri 11/29 Nebraska at Iowa+3.541.5L 10 - 13UY
Sat 12/28 Nebraska vs Boston College-3.047.5W 20 - 15UY

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
Important Stats (2024)
 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
ILL#31 (.25)45% (45)28.345% (51)3.14 (49)14044% (44)1984.23 (39)#76 (.18)46% (115)21.750% (127)43% (90)3.48 (37)390.91.5
NEB#74 (.18)45% (37)23.548% (22)3.21 (40)12143% (55)2103.38 (114)#44 (.13)40% (50)19.539% (24)42% (82)3.06 (11)48.91.31.2
 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
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
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



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ILL Offense1328.321.344.6%4.230.9193381401984.453%47%45%44%18%.25
NEB Defense1319.515.740.3%3.061.2 - - - - - 47%52%39%42%18%.13
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ILL Defense1321.728.546.3%3.481.5 - - - - - 48%52%50%43%13%.18
NEB Offense1323.529.145%3.381.3203311212103.848%51%48%43%16%.18

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Illinois1326:5218.744%50%5.1390.91.53.82.2130.2
Nebraska1329:4320.143%32%5.748.91.31.25.72327.2
Run Game Stats (2024)
 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
ILL Offense1353% (50)45% (51)31.81404.420 (67).13 (67)3.14 (49)81% (17)11% (107)0.91 (95)
NEB Defense1347% (29)39% (24) - - - - -.01 (9)2.72 (26)69% (40)12% (33)0.9 (32)
 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
ILL Defense1348% (37)50% (127) - - - - .19 (108)3.57 (132)75% (75)8% (120)0.8 (5)
NEB Offense1348% (80)48% (22)31.7121.13.820 (67).18 (38)3.21 (40)83% (8)10% (71)0.89 (105)

Pass Game Stats (2024)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ILL Offense1347% (83)44% (44)15.425.5197.87.812.921 (51)5 (6).38 (16)1.8 (15)31% (62)31% (81).42 (31)6% (82)2.3 (5)
NEB Defense1352% (101)42% (82) - - - - - - 11 (52).28 (88)1.6 (89)33% (52)31% (80).37 (96)6% (55)2.2 (98)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ILL Defense1352% (95)43% (90) - - - - - - 12 (39).19 (44)1.4 (17)28% (117)34% (111).37 (97)6% (84)1.9 (40)
NEB Offense1351% (57)43% (55)20.331209.56.810.312 (118)11 (72).21 (91)1.4 (132)28% (18)34% (45).31 (79)6% (67)1.8 (125)

Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 6.78  #39
Illinois's Offense Rating: 22.25  #47
Illinois's Defense Rating: 9.87  #72
2024 Talent Rating: 482.00  #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 7%  #48
Illinois's 2024 Expected Record: 10.0 - 3.0
Illinois's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: 9.6  #31
Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 29.0  #55
Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.9  #26

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

Power Ratings Matchup
Illinois: 6.78   Nebraska: 9.615

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Illinois: 9.6   Nebraska: 5.5




Nebraska's Power Ratings
Nebraska's Power Rating: 9.615  #34
Nebraska's Offense Rating: 21.32  #53
Nebraska's Defense Rating: 4.63  #26
2024 Talent Rating: 482.00  #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 18  #29
Nebraska's 2024 Expected Record: 7.0 - 6.0
Nebraska's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.5  #45
Nebraska's Offense SP+ Rating: 23.1  #99
Nebraska's Defense SP+ Rating: 15.8  #12

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


Illinois Scoring
Offense: 28.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 21.3
Defense: 21.7 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.5

Illinois's 2024 Record
Record: 10 - 3
Record vs Spread: 9 - 4 - 0
Over/Under Record: 5 - 8
Record on Road: 3 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 1 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 7 - 2 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 3 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Nebraska 21
Illinois 19


Total Points: 40

Based on Last 4 Games
Nebraska 19
Illinois 11

Total Points: 30

Based on Entire Season
Nebraska 26
Illinois 21

Total Points: 47
Nebraska Scoring
Offense: 23.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 29.1
Defense: 19.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 15.7

Nebraska's 2024 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 8 - 4 - 1
Over/Under Record: 4 - 9
Record at home: 5 - 2
Record vs Spread at home: 4 - 2 - 1
Record as Fav vs Spread: 6 - 2 - 1
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 4 - 2 - 1


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
Nebraska754 Overs
Illinois575 Unders

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

(#39) ILL at (#34) NEB
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatILLNEB
Power RatePwr #39 #34
SP+SP+ #31 #45
Perf GradeGrade #38 #75
OffenseOff #38 #65
DefenseDef #50 #78
Spec TeamsST #47 #99
TalentTal #1 #1
Blue ChipsBC% #48 #29
Nebraska Notes
(12/11) Elevated DB's coach Butler to DC? (NFL 14-23)
(12/2) DC White left for FSU? Strange move
(12/2) OC Holgorsen signed to a two year deal
(11/30) Held Iowa to 5 1st downs, 0-10 on 3rd, still lost
(11/30) 1-5 in 1 score games in '24, 4-22 since '21
(11/29) Raiola is not good. Do not let hype fool in 25
(11/23) Great W vs Wisky. Raiola 293 yds, Rgame 180
(11/18) Raiola bad vs USC, Rgame meh, Def poor in L
(11/11) Recent hire Dana Holgorsen now OC, call plays
(11/2) Abysmal L to UCLA. Rgame bad, bowl in ?
(10/19) Kicker hurt, backup is 1-5 TY. Kick returner dumb
(10/19) Unserious team. Def sucked/Rgame sucked
Nebraska Injury Report
Illinois on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
ILL OffNEB Def
Perf GradePerf #38 #78
SuccessSuc #45 #50
ExplosiveExp #44 #89
PPAPPA #31 #44
PowerPwr #47 #26
SP+SP+ #55 #12
Pts POPPO #39 #11
HavocHav #103 #40
Illinois Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
ILL OffNEB Def
Run GameRun #47 #77
Run SuccessRSuc #51 #24
Run ExplRExp #95 #32
PPAExp #67 #9
Run BlockR Blk #70 -
OL YdsOLY #49 #26
Stuff RateStuff #20 #24
TackleTak -  #49
Illinois Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
ILL OffNEB Def
Pass GamePass #40 #87
Pass SuccessPSuc #44 #82
Pass ExplPExl #15 #89
PPAExp #16 #88
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #87 #31
F7 HavocF7 #107 #33
DB HavocDB #82 #55
Nebraska on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 48%
CategoryCatNEB OffILL Def
Perf GradePerf #65 #50
SuccessSuc #37 #115
ExplosiveExp #129 #8
PPAPPA #74 #76
PowerPwr #53 #72
SP+SP+ #99 #26
Pts POPPO #114 #37
HavocHav #62 #117
Nebraska Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
NEB OffILL Def
Run GameRun #63 #102
Run SuccessRSuc #22 #127
Run ExplRExp #105 #5
PPAExp #38 #108
Run BlockR Blk #45 -
OL YdsOLY #40 #132
Stuff RateStuff #7 #134
TackleTak -  #7
Nebraska Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 48%
CategoryCatNEB OffILL Def
Pass GamePass #74 #26
Pass SuccessPSuc #55 #90
Pass ExplPExl #132 #17
PPAExp #91 #44
Pass Block/RushP Blk #54 #50
F7 HavocF7 #71 #120
DB HavocDB #67 #84
Program Comparison
NEB 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

ILL 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Up to Average P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions: Clear
Temp: 83° - Wind: 7 mph
Rematch from Week 4
Nebraska -9.5 (41.5)
Illinois won at Nebraska this year (31-24)

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

  
ILL's OC Barry Lunney Jr. (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Luke Altmyer21134761%27172267.8
Donovan Leary2540%29005.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Joshua McCray117609105.260
Aidan Laughery9758946.164
Kaden Feagin6730634.634
Luke Altmyer9921742.237
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Patrick Bryant539781018.564
Zakhari Franklin (Tr)56658411.844
Hank Beatty20294114.759
Collin Dixon18264014.741

View Illinois's Full Roster

ILL's DC Aaron Henry (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Matthew Bailey942005
Gabe Jacas7113890
Dylan Rosiek613201
James Kreutz541021
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Gabe Jacas7113890
Dennis Briggs Jr. (Tr)425450
Te-Rah Edwards385370
Seth Coleman537353
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Xavier Scott492106
Matthew Bailey942005
Jaheim Clarke341015

NEB's OC Marcus Satterfield (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dylan Raiola27440967%280613116.9
Heinrich Haarberg101856%101015.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Dante Dowdell (Tr)143614124.338
Emmett Johnson11759815.142
Rahmir Johnson5426014.822
Jacory Barney Jr.10130313.031
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jahmal Banks (Tr)44587313.331
Isaiah Neyor (Tr)34455513.459
Jacory Barney Jr.5544708.140
Thomas Fidone Jr.36373010.433

View Nebraska's Full Roster

NEB's DC Tony White (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Isaac Gifford734011
DeShon Singleton711003
John Bullock7010435
Mikai Gbayor496133
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Robinson3713674
James Williams146540
John Bullock7010435
MJ Sherman295440
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ceyair Wright (Tr)391116
John Bullock7010435
Marques Buford351005