Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers 9/20/24 – As the sun sets on another Friday night, it is time for another exhilarating match-up between the undefeated Illinois Fighting Illini and their equally undefeated nemesis, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, at Tom Osborne Field in Memorial Stadium. This week’s 4 collision in NCAAF makes it clear that they want quite the extension for both teams that start the season with a perfect record of 3-0. The crowd is excited for a dramatic contest that showcases skills and strategies. The match entertains the people in the stands and those seeking a good college football free prediction.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers 9/20/24
| When: | Friday, September 20, 2024, at 8:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium |
| TV: | TV |
| Stream: | NFL+/ SofaScore |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fighting Illini | +8.5 (-115) | 46.5 over (-116) | +260 |  |
| Cornhuskers | -8.5 (-115) | 46.5 under (-106) | -330 | |
| ||||
Let's play some B1G time football. #Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy pic.twitter.com/J3mNJ8zjzN
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) September 16, 2024
The betting landscape shows the Cornhuskers as clear favorites with a -8.5 spread and a stronger position on the moneyline at -330, signaling confidence from the bookmakers. Despite being the underdog, Illinois has shown resilience and capability to disrupt expectations, as evidenced by its +8.5 spread. The total points set at 46.5 suggests the odds-makers anticipate a tighter, possibly defensive-oriented game.
Luke Altmyer QB vs. Dylan Raiola QB
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer has had a dazzling showing so far this season, going 69.2% with 647 yards and 6 passing touchdowns. Apart from being great with the ball, characterized by the fact that he does not have any interceptions, makes him a good resource for the Illini. His score of 164.3 illustrates his efficiency as a quarterback, playing a critical role as a long ball thrower, although five sacks show he has some exposure at the pocket.
On the other hand, Dylan Raiola of Nebraska has been able to surpass Altmyer in one area in particular, that of accuracy, achieving 73% of successful passes with a total of 670 yards. With 5 touchdown passes against 1 interception, Raiola has played this season with some risk and some rewards. The lengthiest of his passes exceeds Altmyer’s best and hints at his potential to go for the end zone directly and quickly transform the dynamics of the match.
All this finally brings us to the moment where these two quarterbacks prepare for this clash, and a look at each of their skills predicts that this will be more than just brute force. Perhaps Raiola’s slight efficiency and deep-ball threat advantage will be the deciding factor, although Altmyer’s efficient but safe play may have made Illinois last longer than this.
Ground Game and Aerial Threats: Illinois
Kaden Feagin and Pat Bryant have been instrumental in Illinois’ offensive strategy. Feagin’s 173 rushing yards with an average of 4.1 yards per carry and 3 touchdowns provide a reliable ground game that complements Altmyer’s aerial attacks. Pat Bryant emerges as a significant receiving threat with 235 yards and 4 touchdowns. His 15.7 yards per reception underline his ability to make significant plays, which could be crucial against a Nebraska defense that has shown vulnerability against the pass.
Ground Game and Aerial Threats: Nebraska
Nebraska counters with its dynamic duo in Dante Dowdell and Isaiah Neyor. Dowdell has accumulated 184 rushing yards with an impressive average of 5.9 yards per carry, showcasing his explosive potential on every touch. Neyor adds depth to the receiving corps with 187 yards and two scores. His big-play capability, evidenced by his long of 59 yards, will be critical in stretching the Illini defense and creating scoring opportunities.
Trends
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Illinois’ last 5 games.
Illinois is 5-2 SU in their last 7 games.
Illinois is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against Nebraska.
Fighting Illini are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games on the road.
Illinois is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Nebraska.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Betting Trends
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nebraska’s last 6 games.
Total has gone UNDER in 6 of Nebraska’s last 9 games against Illinois.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nebraska’s last 5 games at home.
Nebraska is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Illinois.
Nebraska is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games against an opponent in the Big Ten conference.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Betting Prediction
Based on both teams’ stats and form, this is a hard game for the Cornhuskers, even when they are playing at home and are the favorites. The Illini have always been unpredictable, especially on the road, and even with +8.5, it seems like a steal. For those who follow the betting trends, it is reasonable to consider an UNDER bet on the totals, looking at the last showing of each team’s defense.
This matchup will probably be more competitive than the bookies think, which makes Illinois a safe option to back at the spread. Turning to prop odds, it would make sense to focus on betting on the amount of passing yards and passing TDs by a quarterback because of their significance. As always, remember to place your bets only on the premier online betting sites to get the best odds and a safe betting atmosphere.
Score Prediction: Nebraska 24, Illinois 20.
Hilbert Mayer
Sports Writer
Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.
Published on: September 17, 2024
Last updated: March 31, 2025