Nebraska at Illinois - 2026 Matchup Preview

Nebraska Cornhuskers at Illinois Fighting Illini

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

Cornhuskers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Matt Rhule (19 - 19)
Avg Score : 29 - 25 (20 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Our Line: Illinois -8 (SP+ ILL -7)
Projected Score: NEB: 21 - ILL: 29 (50)
ILL Win prob: 74% | Cover: 48%
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: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
NEB Players
ILL Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Nebraska's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Nebraska vs Ohio	-16
Sat 9/12	Nebraska vs Bowling Green	-22.5
Sat 9/19	Nebraska vs North Dakota	-29
Sat 9/26	Nebraska at Michigan State	-5
Sat 10/3	Nebraska vs Maryland	-6
Sat 10/10	Nebraska vs Indiana	+20.5
Sat 10/17	Nebraska at Oregon	+22.5
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31	Nebraska vs Washington	+10
Sat 11/7	Nebraska at Illinois	+8
Sat 11/14	Nebraska at Rutgers	-4.5
Sat 11/21	Nebraska vs Ohio State	+21.5
Fri 11/27	Nebraska at Iowa	+10.5

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 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Illinois vs UAB	-30.5
Sat 9/12	Illinois vs Duke	-9
Sat 9/19	Illinois vs Southern Illinois	-34.5
Sat 9/26	Illinois at Ohio State	+21
Sat 10/3	Illinois vs Purdue	-16.5
Sat 10/10	Illinois at Michigan State	-10.5
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24	Illinois vs Oregon	+12
Sat 10/31	Illinois at Maryland	-6.5
Sat 11/7	Illinois vs Nebraska	-8
Sat 11/14	Illinois at UCLA	-10.5
Sat 11/21	Illinois vs Iowa	+0.5
Sat 11/28	Illinois vs Northwestern	-10

Important Stats (2025)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
NEB	#77 (.16)	46% (27)	28.7	48% (22)	3.16 (29)	148	45% (36)	225	3.93 (50)	#101 (.21)	43% (88)	24.6	47% (117)	39% (38)	4.37 (128)	43.5	0.8	1
ILL	#39 (.21)	48% (15)	29.4	48% (15)	3.04 (52)	138	48% (14)	236	4.21 (29)	#96 (.2)	45% (114)	23.6	41% (53)	49% (133)	4.33 (125)	39.5	0.8	1.2

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
NEB		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
ILL		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2025

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
NEB Offense	13	28.7	19.5	46.2%	3.93	0.8	20	372	148	225	4.3	49%	49%	48%	45%	13%	.16
ILL Defense	13	23.6	14.4	45.2%	4.33	1.2	-	-	-	-	-	44%	54%	41%	49%	15%	.2

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
NEB Defense	13	24.6	28.3	43.2%	4.37	1	-	-	-	-	-	55%	43%	47%	39%	14%	.21
ILL Offense	13	29.4	31.3	47.8%	4.21	0.8	21	374	138	236	3.9	51%	48%	48%	48%	16%	.21

Additional Stats 2025

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Nebraska	13	30:35	20.3	46%	36%	4.6	43.5	0.8	1	5	1.7	2	31.8
Illinois	13	30:54	21.2	42%	57%	4.6	39.5	0.8	1.2	4.9	2.2	1	30.3

Run Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
NEB Offense	13	49% (68)	48% (22)	34.2	147.8	4.3	20 (60)	.13 (63)	3.16 (29)	76% (44)	9% (53)	0.81 (125)
ILL Defense	13	44% (10)	41% (53)	-	-	-	-	.07 (50)	2.88 (70)	75% (97)	9% (80)	0.92 (51)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
NEB Defense	13	55% (122)	47% (117)	-	-	-	-	.25 (132)	3.25 (121)	79% (119)	10% (62)	1.12 (128)
ILL Offense	13	51% (59)	48% (15)	35.2	138.2	3.9	21 (40)	.08 (87)	3.04 (52)	73% (56)	10% (87)	0.8 (131)

Pass Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
NEB Offense	13	49% (72)	45% (36)	20	29.1	224.6	7.7	11.2	23 (14)	7 (60)	.22 (83)	1.4 (128)	25% (5)	32% (52)	.39 (35)	4% (11)	1.9 (94)
ILL Defense	13	54% (122)	49% (133)	-	-	-	-	-	-	6 (123)	.32 (102)	1.3 (5)	28% (126)	36% (130)	.39 (112)	6% (67)	2 (62)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
NEB Defense	13	43% (10)	39% (38)	-	-	-	-	-	-	6 (100)	.19 (44)	1.5 (25)	31% (87)	35% (128)	.44 (127)	5% (122)	2 (47)
ILL Offense	13	48% (76)	48% (14)	19.3	28.6	235.8	8.2	12.2	23 (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: 5.20 #42
Nebraska's Offense Rating: 16.99 #25
Nebraska's Defense Rating: 16.79 #67
2026 Talent Rating: 956.00 #21
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #24
Nebraska's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
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 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Nebraska: 5.20 Illinois: 13.45

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Nebraska: 6.2 Illinois: 12.9

Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 13.45 #28
Illinois's Offense Rating: 16.72 #27
Illinois's Defense Rating: 12.72 #36
2026 Talent Rating: 876.00 #30
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #24
Illinois's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
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 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

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 29
Nebraska 21

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

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2024	09/20	Nebraska	24	Illinois	31	Nebraska -9.5	Illinois	41.5	Over
2023	10/06	Illinois	7	Nebraska	20	Illinois -3.5	Nebraska	43.0	Under
2022	10/29	Nebraska	9	Illinois	26	Illinois -7.5	Illinois	50.5	Under
2021	08/28	Illinois	30	Nebraska	22	Nebraska -6.5	Illinois	52.0	Push
2020	11/21	Nebraska	23	Illinois	41	Nebraska -17.0	Illinois	61.0	Over
2019	09/21	Illinois	38	Nebraska	42	Nebraska -13	Illinois	62.5	Over
2018	11/10	Nebraska	54	Illinois	35	Nebraska -17	Nebraska	71.0	Over
2017	09/29	Illinois	6	Nebraska	28	Nebraska -6.5	Nebraska	47.5	Under
2016	10/01	Nebraska	31	Illinois	16	Nebraska -21.5	Illinois	53.0	Under
2015	10/03	Illinois	14	Nebraska	13	Nebraska -7.5	Illinois	57.0	Under
2014	09/27	Nebraska	45	Illinois	14	Nebraska -19	Nebraska	0
2013	10/05	Nebraska	39	Illinois	19	Nebraska -10.5	Nebraska	0

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Illinois	5	7	4 Overs
Nebraska	7	5	5 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	6 - 6	6 - 6	3 - 4	3 - 2
Road Teams	6 - 6	6 - 6	2 - 3	4 - 3

(#42) NEB at (#28) ILL

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	NEB	ILL
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#42	#28
SP+SP+	#46	#24
Perf GradeGrade	NR	NR
OffenseOff	NR	NR
DefenseDef	NR	NR
Spec TeamsST	NR	NR
TalentTal	#21	#30
Blue ChipsBC%	#24	#24

Nebraska Injury Report

Illinois Injury Report

Nebraska on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat	NEB Off	ILL Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#27	#114
ExplosiveExp	#134	#37
PPAPPA	#77	#96
PowerPwr	#25	#36
SP+SP+	#56	#41
Pts POPPO	#50	#125
HavocHav	#23	#75

Nebraska Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat	NEB Off	ILL Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#22	#53
Run ExplRExp	#125	#51
PPAExp	#63	#50
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#29	#70
Stuff RateStuff	#19	#70
TackleTak	-	NR

Nebraska Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat	NEB Off	ILL Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#36	#133
Pass ExplPExl	#128	#5
PPAExp	#83	#102
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#53	#80
DB HavocDB	#11	#67

Illinois on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat	ILL Off	NEB Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#15	#88
ExplosiveExp	#118	#80
PPAPPA	#39	#101
PowerPwr	#27	#67
SP+SP+	#27	#44
Pts POPPO	#29	#128
HavocHav	#70	#100

Illinois Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat	ILL Off	NEB Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#15	#117
Run ExplRExp	#131	#128
PPAExp	#87	#132
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#52	#121
Stuff RateStuff	#81	#117
TackleTak	-	NR

Illinois Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat	ILL Off	NEB Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#14	#38
Pass ExplPExl	#56	#25
PPAExp	#21	#44
Pass Block/RushP Blk	NR	NR
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 Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Anthony Colandrea (Tr)	275	417	66%	3459	23	9	8.3
TJ Lateef	74	123	60%	904	5	1	7.3

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Anthony Colandrea (Tr)	127	650	10	5.1	37
Mekhi Nelson	27	147	2	5.4	38
Kwinten Ives	20	133	2	6.7	28
TJ Lateef	40	120	4	3.0	16

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Nyziah Hunter	43	617	5	14.3	64
Kwazi Gilmer (Tr)	50	535	4	10.7	43
Jacory Barney Jr.	45	484	5	10.8	52
Luke Lindenmeyer	29	312	2	10.8	26

View Nebraska's Full Roster

NEB's DC John Butler (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Owen Chambliss (Tr)	90	9	4	4	5
Rex Guthrie	63	2	0	0	1
Vincent Shavers Jr.	61	8	1	1	0
Donovan Jones	59	2	0	0	5

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Owen Chambliss (Tr)	90	9	4	4	5
Williams Nwaneri	27	5	3	5	1
Kade Pietrzak	16	6	2	3	1
Cameron Lenhardt	23	3	2	3	1

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Owen Chambliss (Tr)	90	9	4	4	5
Donovan Jones	59	2	0	0	5
Victor Evans III (Tr)	41	1	0	0	4

ILL's OC Barry Lunney Jr. (been OC for 3 years)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Katin Houser (Tr)	269	408	66%	3300	19	6	8.1
Ty Robinson (Tr)	2	3	67%	77	0	0	25.7

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Ca'Lil Valentine	131	614	4	4.7	25
Kaden Feagin	122	507	7	4.2	26
Aidan Laughery	75	382	3	5.1	57
Katin Houser (Tr)	85	193	9	2.3	14

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Alex Perry (Tr)	56	840	9	15.0	64
Jayshon Platt (Tr)	46	720	5	15.7	48
Collin Dixon	35	548	5	15.7	61
Hudson Clement	36	454	3	12.6	27

View Illinois's Full Roster

ILL's DC Aaron Henry (been DC for 3 years)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Matthew Bailey	76	4	0	1	2
Robert Edmonson (Tr)	47	4	1	5	0
William Holmes (Tr)	45	7	2	5	0
James Thompson Jr.	40	3	2	2	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Darrell Prater (Tr)	21	4	4	0	0
William Holmes (Tr)	45	7	2	5	0
James Thompson Jr.	40	3	2	2	1
Joe Barna	20	2	2	1	2

Pass D	Tack	TFL	PD
Jaheim Clarke	30	1	7
James Kreutz	30	4	3
Deuce Fillmore (Tr)	39	0	3