Illinois vs Nebraska Prediction, Player Props & Odds (Friday, Sep. 20)

• #24 Illinois travels to Lincoln to take on #22 Nebraska in a Friday night Big Ten showdown
• Nebraska is favored by 7.5 to 8.5 points, with the total set at 43 in a game expected to be a defensive battle
• Read below for Nebraska vs Illinois prediction, player props and odds for September 2o

We’ve got a Big Ten battle under the Friday night lights as the #24 Illinois Fighting Illini (3-0) travel to Lincoln to take on the #22 Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-0) on September 20, 2024. Kickoff is set for 8:00 PM EDT at Memorial Stadium, with the game broadcast on FOX.

Both teams are undefeated, and the stakes are high in this early-season conference showdown. The Cornhuskers are favored by 7.5 to 8.5 points, with the total sitting at 43.

This matchup is all about two programs on the rise. Bret Bielema has Illinois playing tough, physical football, while Nebraska is thriving under second-year head coach Matt Rhule. With both teams ranked and looking to make a statement, this game has all the makings of a classic Big Ten slugfest.

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Illinois vs Nebraska Prediction

Illinois has looked sharp, outscoring opponents 98-26 en route to a 3-0 start. However, their signature win over Kansas has lost some shine after the Jayhawks stumbled against UNLV. Still, the Illini defense has been stout, allowing just 8.7 points per game (13th in FBS) and forcing eight turnovers.

Offensively, QB Luke Altmyer has been efficient, and the running game is averaging 153.3 yards per contest.

Nebraska, on the other hand, has been downright dominant. The Blackshirts are back, holding opponents to just 211 rushing yards and 555 passing yards through three games.

Freshman phenom Dylan Raiola has been as advertised, completing 72.7% of his passes for 666 yards and a 5-to-1 TD/INT ratio.

While Illinois’ defense will test Raiola, I expect Nebraska’s defensive front to control the line of scrimmage, especially if they can dominate time of possession as they did in last year’s 20-7 win, holding Illinois to just 21 rushing yards.

I’m predicting Nebraska weathers the storm and pulls away late, winning by an approximate 24-13 score to move to 4-0. Lay the points with the Huskers and also take the “under” as both defenses should shine.

Best Bets:

• Nebraska -7.5 (-115)
• Under 42.5 (-110)

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Illinois vs Nebraska Player Props

The Illinois vs Nebraska player props highlight Luke Altmyer with a passing yards total of 201.5, slightly trailing Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola, who sits at 211.5. Pat Bryant leads the receiving yards category with an over/under of 53.5.

CFB player prop odds as of Sep. 20, at FanDuel Sportsbook. Register with the FanDuel promo code to bet on CFB props.

Here are a few Nebraska-Illinois props I’ve locked in for Friday night:

Luke Altmyer Passing Yards

Altmyer has been efficient but hasn’t had to carry the Illinois offense, averaging just 215.7 passing yards per game. Against Nebraska’s stingy defense, which ranks 57th nationally in passing yards allowed (185 per game), Altmyer may struggle to find open receivers consistently.

With Illinois likely to lean on its ground game and the potential for Nebraska to control the clock, the under on Altmyer’s passing yards is a solid bet.

• Prop Pick: Luke Altmyer Under 201.5 Passing Yards (-114)

Luke Altmyer wondering where the flag was on this one pic.twitter.com/cMKZijmEqA

— Illinois Football Focus (@IlliniFB) September 14, 2024

Dante Dowdell Rushing Yards

Dowdell has quickly become the focal point of Nebraska’s rushing attack, racking up 184 yards and three touchdowns on just 31 carries (5.9 yards per attempt).

The powerful back should see plenty of action against an Illinois defense that may be forced to allocate extra resources to slowing down the Huskers’ passing game. If Dowdell gets rolling, he could be in for a big night under the lights at Memorial Stadium.

• Prop Pick: Dante Dowdell Over 58.5 Rushing Yards (-114)

Pat Bryant Receptions

Bryant has been Luke Altmyer’s go-to target in the early going, hauling in a team-high 15 catches for 235 yards and four touchdowns through three games.

With Illinois potentially playing from behind and Altmyer facing pressure from the Nebraska pass rush, Bryant should see plenty of targets as a safety valve. Even if his yardage total is kept in check, the over on Bryant’s reception total is a smart play.

• Prop Pick: Pat Bryant Over 4.5 Receptions

Illinois vs Nebraska Odds

Odds as of Sep. 20, at BetMGM Sportsbook.

The oddsmakers have installed Nebraska as a hefty 7.5-point favorite, with the moneyline sitting at -350 for the Huskers and +260 for the Illini. The total is set at a modest 42.5 points, reflecting the expectation of a low-scoring, defensive battle.

Both teams have trended toward the under this season, with each squad going 3-0 to the under through their first three games. Given the strength of these two defenses and the likelihood of a run-heavy game script, it’s not surprising to see the total sitting in the low 40s.

When it comes to the betting public, bettors are divided. According to the latest CFB betting splits, the Huskers are seeing a whopping 89% of the moneyline wagers. However, Illinois is receiving 56% of the ATS money.

Illinois vs Nebraska Head to Head

Nebraska leads the all-time series 14-6-1, including a 20-7 victory in the most recent meeting on October 6, 2023. In that game, Nebraska’s defense was dominant, holding Illinois to just 21 rushing yards.

However, Illinois has had recent success against the spread in this matchup, going 4-1 ATS in their last five games against Nebraska. This suggests that while the Cornhuskers have won more often, the Fighting Illini have been competitive and have exceeded expectations.