Nebraska at Illinois - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Nebraska Cornhuskers at Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois logo
Saturday, November 7th 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Memorial Stadium - Champaign, IL  (Big Ten)

 
Cornhuskers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Matt Rhule (19 - 19)
Avg Score : 29 - 25 (20 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5.7 - 6.3 (#68)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 4) (Good: 2) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 4)
Our Line: Illinois -9.5  (SP+ ILL -7)
Projected Score: NEB: 20 - ILL: 30 (50)
ILL Win prob: 79% | Cover: 55%
NEB Travel: 448 miles
Fighting Illini (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Bret Bielema (37 - 26)
Avg Score : 29 - 24 (31 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.3 - 3.7 (#26)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 1) (Avg: 5) (Bad: 3)
 
Nebraska's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Nebraska vs Ohio-15.5
Sat 9/12Nebraska vs Bowling Green-21.5
Sat 9/19Nebraska vs North Dakota-29.5
Sat 9/26Nebraska at Michigan State-4
Sat 10/3Nebraska vs Maryland-6.5
Sat 10/10Nebraska vs Indiana+21
Sat 10/17Nebraska at Oregon+22.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/31Nebraska vs Washington+13
Sat 11/7Nebraska at Illinois+9.5
Sat 11/14Nebraska at Rutgers-2
Sat 11/21Nebraska vs Ohio State+21
Fri 11/27Nebraska at Iowa+13

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 4, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Nebraska's Schedule
Illinois's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Illinois vs UAB-27.5
Sat 9/12Illinois vs Duke-8.5
Sat 9/19Illinois vs Southern Illinois-36.5
Sat 9/26Illinois at Ohio State+19
Sat 10/3Illinois vs Purdue-18.5
Sat 10/10Illinois at Michigan State-10.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24Illinois vs Oregon+11
Sat 10/31Illinois at Maryland-8.5
Sat 11/7Illinois vs Nebraska-9.5
Sat 11/14Illinois at UCLA-7.5
Sat 11/21Illinois vs Iowa+1
Sat 11/28Illinois vs Northwestern-12

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 1, Avg 5, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 1, Avg 5, Bad 2, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Illinois's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 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#77 (.16)46% (27)28.748% (22)3.16 (29)14845% (36)2253.93 (50)#101 (.21)43% (88)24.647% (117)39% (38)4.37 (128)43.50.81
ILL#39 (.21)48% (15)29.448% (15)3.04 (52)13848% (14)2364.21 (29)#96 (.2)45% (114)23.641% (53)49% (133)4.33 (125)39.50.81.2
 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
NEB0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
ILL0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NEB Offense1328.719.546.2%3.930.8203721482254.349%49%48%45%13%.16
ILL Defense1323.614.445.2%4.331.2 - - - - - 44%54%41%49%15%.2
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NEB Defense1324.628.343.2%4.371 - - - - - 55%43%47%39%14%.21
ILL Offense1329.431.347.8%4.210.8213741382363.951%48%48%48%16%.21

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Nebraska1330:3520.346%36%4.643.50.8151.7231.8
Illinois1330:5421.242%57%4.639.50.81.24.92.2130.3
Run Game Stats (2026)
 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 Offense1349% (68)48% (22)34.2147.84.320 (60).13 (63)3.16 (29)76% (44)9% (53)0.81 (125)
ILL Defense1344% (10)41% (53) - - - - .07 (50)2.88 (70)75% (97)9% (80)0.92 (51)
 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 Defense1355% (122)47% (117) - - - - .25 (132)3.25 (121)79% (119)10% (62)1.12 (128)
ILL Offense1351% (59)48% (15)35.2138.23.921 (40).08 (87)3.04 (52)73% (56)10% (87)0.8 (131)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NEB Offense1349% (72)45% (36)2029.1224.67.711.223 (14)7 (60).22 (83)1.4 (128)25% (5)32% (52).39 (35)4% (11)1.9 (94)
ILL Defense1354% (122)49% (133) - - - - - - 6 (123).32 (102)1.3 (5)28% (126)36% (130).39 (112)6% (67)2 (62)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NEB Defense1343% (10)39% (38) - - - - - - 6 (100).19 (44)1.5 (25)31% (87)35% (128).44 (127)5% (122)2 (47)
ILL Offense1348% (76)48% (14)19.328.6235.88.212.223 (33)6 (7).41 (21)1.6 (56)29% (34)37% (14).37 (43)6% (51)1.9 (111)

Nebraska's Power Ratings
Nebraska's Power Rating: 6.29  #52
Nebraska's Offense Rating: 17.35  #32
Nebraska's Defense Rating: 16.06  #70
2026 Talent Rating: 938.00  #26
Blue Chip Ratio: 24%  #23
Nebraska's 2026 Expected Record: 5.7 - 6.3
Nebraska's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 6.2  #46
Nebraska's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.8  #56
Nebraska's Defense SP+ Rating: 22.7  #44

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
Nebraska: 6.29   Illinois: 15.54

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Nebraska: 6.2   Illinois: 12.9




Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 15.54  #27
Illinois's Offense Rating: 19.46  #24
Illinois's Defense Rating: 11.28  #37
2026 Talent Rating: 914.00  #31
Blue Chip Ratio: 9  #44
Illinois's 2026 Expected Record: 8.3 - 3.7
Illinois's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 12.9  #24
Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.3  #27
Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.7  #41

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


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

Nebraska's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Illinois 30
Nebraska 20


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 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 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

(#52) NEB at (#27) ILL
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNEBILL
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #52 #27
SP+SP+ #46 #24
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #26 #31
Blue ChipsBC% #23 #44
Nebraska Notes
(2/14) Vibes: Low, bad finish, QB leaves, ? Rhule era
(3/1) New DC Aurich was great at SDSU, good add
(2/1) QB1: Colandrea (UNLV) likely. Lateef also returns
(2/1) RB rebuild, limted exp. Have options but dudes?
(2/1) WR 3 guys w 480+yds/4+ TDs LY, good unit + TE
(2/1) OL: 4 back w exp + 3 portals. Could be strength
(2/1) Def added 9 portals, 3 at every level. Needed it
(2/1) DL 2 big portal adds. 7 have exp. Must improve
(2/1) LBs 2/3 starters from portal? Chambliss big add
(2/1) DBs have 3 good CBs, but Safety a huge ?
Nebraska Injury Report
Illinois Notes
(2/17) Vibes: V high, 19 wins in past 2, love HC B.B.
(2/9) New DC Bobby Hauck was Montana's HC (7 yrs)
(2/7) Getting CB Scott back after missing LY a huge boost
(2/4) QB Houser (ECU) a great add. No proven depth
(2/4) RB has top 3 back. Very good stable w depth
(2/4) WR has 4 exp'd & productive starters. Nice rotation
(2/4) OL rebuild w 2 portals & 3 JUCO's. Big ?
(2/4) DL counting on 5 G5 portals. Have exp but ?
(2/4) LB should be good unit w exp and depth options
(2/4) DBs return a lot but torched LY. Must improve
(2/4) Lots of ? esp on lines. Counting on a lot that's new
Illinois Injury Report
Nebraska on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
NEB OffILL Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #27 #114
ExplosiveExp #134 #37
PPAPPA #77 #96
PowerPwr #32 #37
SP+SP+ #56 #41
Pts POPPO #50 #125
HavocHav #23 #75
Nebraska Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
NEB OffILL Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #22 #53
Run ExplRExp #125 #51
PPAExp #63 #50
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #29 #70
Stuff RateStuff #19 #70
TackleTak - NR
Nebraska Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
NEB OffILL Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #36 #133
Pass ExplPExl #128 #5
PPAExp #83 #102
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #53 #80
DB HavocDB #11 #67
Illinois on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatILL OffNEB Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #15 #88
ExplosiveExp #118 #80
PPAPPA #39 #101
PowerPwr #24 #70
SP+SP+ #27 #44
Pts POPPO #29 #128
HavocHav #70 #100
Illinois Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffNEB Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #15 #117
Run ExplRExp #131 #128
PPAExp #87 #132
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #52 #121
Stuff RateStuff #81 #117
TackleTak - NR
Illinois Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatILL OffNEB Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #14 #38
Pass ExplPExl #56 #25
PPAExp #21 #44
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #87 #62
DB HavocDB #51 #122
Program Comparison
ILL 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average P4
'26 Profile: Up to Top 25 Contenders

NEB 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Illinois beat Nebraska in 2024 (31-24)
Nebraska beat Illinois in 2023 (20-7)

  
NEB's OC Dana Holgorsen (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Anthony Colandrea (Tr)27541766%34592398.3
TJ Lateef7412360%904517.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Anthony Colandrea (Tr)127650105.137
Mekhi Nelson2714725.438
Kwinten Ives2013326.728
TJ Lateef4012043.016
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Nyziah Hunter43617514.364
Kwazi Gilmer (Tr)50535410.743
Jacory Barney Jr.45484510.852
Luke Lindenmeyer29312210.826

View Nebraska's Full Roster

NEB's DC Rob Aurich (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Owen Chambliss (Tr)909445
Rex Guthrie632001
Vincent Shavers Jr.618110
Donovan Jones592005
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Owen Chambliss (Tr)909445
Williams Nwaneri275351
Cameron Lenhardt233231
Kade Pietrzak166231
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Owen Chambliss (Tr)909445
Donovan Jones592005
Victor Evans III (Tr)411004

ILL's OC Barry Lunney Jr. (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Katin Houser (Tr)26940866%33001968.1
Ty Robinson (Tr)2367%770025.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ca'Lil Valentine13161444.725
Kaden Feagin12250774.226
Aidan Laughery7538235.157
Katin Houser (Tr)8519392.314
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Alex Perry (Tr)56840915.064
Jayshon Platt (Tr)46720515.748
Collin Dixon35548515.761
Hudson Clement36454312.627

View Illinois's Full Roster

ILL's DC Bobby Hauck (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Matthew Bailey764012
Robert Edmonson (Tr)474150
William Holmes (Tr)457250
James Thompson Jr.403221
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Darrell Prater (Tr)214400
William Holmes (Tr)457250
James Thompson Jr.403221
Joe Barna202212
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaheim Clarke301007
James Kreutz304003
Deuce Fillmore (Tr)390003