It’s an unlikely battle of unbeaten teams as Illinois travels to Nebraska, where the Cornhuskers opened as a 9-point favorite in this Friday night showdown between ranked opponents in the Big 10.
Indeed, Nebraska was No. 22 and Illinois No. 24 in the most recent AP poll that came out Monday—not bad for two programs that both finished 5-7 last year. The Cornhuskers are Fighting Illini are both 3-0 overall and unbeaten ATS (though Illinois did push last week against 21-point underdog Central Michigan). The Huskers haven’t been this big a home favorite since last October when they hosted 11-point underdog Northwestern.
Illinois vs Nebraska Odds
Matchup Page: Illinois vs Nebraska, 8:00 pm ET
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Fighting Illini | +9.0 (-110) | +260 | OVER 43.5 (-108) |
| Nebraska Cornhuskers | -9.0 (-110) | -325 | UNDER 43.5 (-112) |
Odds as of September 17
Illinois vs Nebraska Picks – Week 4
For the Cornhuskers, this early-season turnaround has been somewhat predictable, given that coach Matt Rhule had last year to lay the groundwork for the arrival of five-star freshman Dylan Raiola in 2024. The Illini have been the bigger surprise, given that many of the key players in 2024—running back Kaden Feagin, quarterback Luke Altmyer and linebacker Dylan Rosiek—were also around last year.
But Illinois coach Bret Bielema has found a way to squeeze a little more out of this season’s squad, particularly on defense, and the result is a team that’s allowed 26 points through three games combined. It was a defense that fueled Illinois’ 8-5 campaign two years ago, and the Illini lost a ton off that squad. Maybe it took much to expect a return to those days, but the 23-17 victory over a ranked Kansas squad in Week 2 was perhaps a sign of things to come.
Illinois covered in that game as a 5.5-point home underdog and pushed last week in a 30-9 victory over Central Michigan. Nebraska covered in its opener against 27.5-point underdog UTEP, and again in a 28-10 victory over Colorado. With both teams so consistently good ATS to this point, a 9-point line just feels too big.
Illinois vs Nebraska Week 4 Pick: Illinois +9 (-110)
While Raiola looks the part, having thrown five touchdowns so far, Nebraska is unbeaten thanks to a defense that’s allowing an average of 255 yards and 6.67 points per game. The Huskers went UNDER against UTEP and UNDER against Colorado. Illinois went UNDER against Kansas and UNDER against Central Michigan. Picking up on a trend there?
Illinois vs Nebraska Week 4 Pick: UNDER 43.5 (-112)
*picks made as of Monday, September 16 at 5:45 pm ET
Illinois vs Nebraska News
The Huskers were without starting right guard Micah Mazzccua last week against FCS Northern Iowa, and the lineman will also be out Friday against Illinois. Mazzccua is not injured, according to Inside Nebraska, and the benching is a coach’s decision. Nebraska starting defensive end Jimari Butler will also not be available against the Illini for undisclosed reasons.
Illinois vs Nebraska Prop Pick: Nebraska First Half, -238
The Cornhuskers have gotten off to very strong starts in all three of their games thus far—30-7 against UTEP, 28-0 against Colorado, and 21-3 against Northern Iowa. Expect another strong first-half outing against an Illinois team playing its first road game, in front of Nebraska’s 400th consecutive sellout crowd.
Illinois vs Nebraska Betting Trends
- Nebraska is 4-3 ATS as a home favorite under Rhule, who took over prior to the 2023 campaign
- The Huskers have gone UNDER in 10 of 15 games so far under Rhule
- Illinois is 11-4 ATS in road games under Bielema, who took over prior to the 2021 season
