Matchup Prediction
Nebraska
has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor
Nebraska entering this game.
Momentum Control
71.6%
Nebraska wins
Solid
Game Control
76%
Nebraska wins
Strong
Vegas Spread
Nebraska -9.5
O/U 41.5
ESPN Bet
Advanced Stats
Advanced factors are split · No strong agreement signal
↓ See full breakdown
Illinois 2024 Schedule
Illinois's 2024 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 8/29 | Illinois vs Eastern Illinois | -28.5W45–0 | 50.5 | W45–0 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/7 | Illinois vs Kansas | +4.5W23–17 | 58.5 | W23–17 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/14 | Illinois vs Central Michigan | -21.5W30–9 | 49.5 | W30–9 | U | N |
| Fri 9/20 | Illinois at Nebraska | +9.5W31–24 | 41.5 | W31–24 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/28 | Illinois at Penn State | +19.5L7–21 | 48.0 | L7–21 | U | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 10/12 | Illinois vs Purdue | -22.5W50–49 | 47.5 | W50–49 | O | N |
| Sat 10/19 | Illinois vs Michigan | +6.0W21–7 | 44.0 | W21–7 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/26 | Illinois at Oregon | +22.5L9–38 | 54.0 | L9–38 | U | N |
| Sat 11/2 | Illinois vs Minnesota | +2.5L17–25 | 47.0 | L17–25 | U | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 11/16 | Illinois vs Michigan State | -2.0W38–16 | 47.5 | W38–16 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/23 | Illinois at Rutgers | +2.0W38–31 | 48.0 | W38–31 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/30 | Illinois vs Northwestern | -8.5W38–28 | 42.5 | W38–28 | O | Y |
| Tue 12/31 | Illinois vs South Carolina | +9.5W21–17 | 50.0 | W21–17 | U | Y |
Nebraska 2024 Schedule
Nebraska's 2024 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 8/31 | Nebraska vs UTEP | -27.5W40–7 | 49.0 | W40–7 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/7 | Nebraska vs Colorado | -6.5W28–10 | 55.0 | W28–10 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/14 | Nebraska vs Northern Iowa | -30.5W34–3 | 49.5 | W34–3 | U | Y |
| Fri 9/20 | Nebraska vs Illinois | -9.5L24–31 | 41.5 | L24–31 | O | N |
| Sat 9/28 | Nebraska at Purdue | -10.0W28–10 | 47.5 | W28–10 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/5 | Nebraska vs Rutgers | -7.0W14–7 | 39.5 | W14–7 | U | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 10/19 | Nebraska at Indiana | +6.5L7–56 | 48.0 | L7–56 | O | N |
| Sat 10/26 | Nebraska at Ohio State | +25.0L17–21 | 48.5 | L17–21 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/2 | Nebraska vs UCLA | -7.5L20–27 | 38.5 | L20–27 | O | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 11/16 | Nebraska at USC | +6.5L20–28 | 51.0 | L20–28 | U | N |
| Sat 11/23 | Nebraska vs Wisconsin | -1.5W44–25 | 40.5 | W44–25 | O | Y |
| Fri 11/29 | Nebraska at Iowa | +3.5L10–13 | 41.5 | L10–13 | U | Y |
| Sat 12/28 | Nebraska vs Boston College | -3.0W20–15 | 47.5 | W20–15 | U | Y |
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) ·
2024 season
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Split
Metrics disagree
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2024 season ·
Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences
Who builds scoring momentum?
Nebraska Edge
Nebraska +1.00
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 71.6% of games historically
Based on 2 games this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance
Who controls games start to finish?
Nebraska Edge
Nebraska +21.0
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 76% of games historically
Based on 3 games this season
Actual Result
CSS Battle
Nebraska
1 — 0 sequences
✓ Predicted correctly
GC Battle
Nebraska
37.7 — 27.1 GC score
✓ Predicted correctly
Game Result
Illinois won by 7
✗ Model missed it
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season
Both metrics agree on Nebraska with a large edge. Historically, dominant teams like this are fully priced into the spread — the agreed-upon team covers just 50.2% of the time. The metrics predict game control better than they beat the number.
ATS data is informational only. Past cover rates do not guarantee future results.
Coaching Matchup
Illinois
Bret Bielema #1
18–19 (49%)
· Yr 4 at school
OC
Barry Lunney Jr.
Yr 3
#1
DC
Aaron Henry
Yr 2
#1
Nebraska
Matt Rhule #1
5–7 (42%)
· Yr 2 at school
OC
Marcus Satterfield
Yr 2
#1
DC
Tony White
Yr 2
#1
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games. ✓
Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: CSS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: GS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself ✓
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games. ✓
Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: CSS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: GS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself ✓