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Nebraska Still 7-Point Favorites vs Illinois With Scott Frost Under Investigation for NCAA Violations – Will the Line Move if He’s Suspended?

John Perrotto

by John Perrotto in College Football

Updated Aug 18, 2021 · 12:52 PM PDT

Scott Frost
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost calls instructions during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa in Lincoln, Neb., in this Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, file photo. Nebraska is 12-20 in three years under Frost. The Cornhuskers, who haven’t had a winning season since 2016, open Aug. 28 at Illinois.(AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
  • It was reported on Wednesday that the Nebraska football program is under investigation by the NCAA
  • Coach Scott Frost allegedly moved workouts off campus last year in violation of pandemic rules
  • The Cornhuskers are seven-point road favorites over Illinois in Week 0; could he be suspended for the opener?

The Nebraska football program is under investigation by the NCAA less than two weeks before its Week 0 game against Big Ten rival Illinois.

The school announced Wednesday that the NCAA is looking into allegations the coaching staff improperly used analysts and consultants with the knowledge of head coach Scott Frost. There are also allegations the Cornhuskers moved workouts off campus last year when such activities were banned by the NCAA during the pandemic.

Athletic director Trev Alberts confirmed the investigation Wednesday, which was first reported by Brett McMurphy of the Action Network earlier in the day.

Nebraska visits Illinois on Aug. 28 are favored by seven points.

Illinois vs Nebraska Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Nebraska -255 -7 (-105) Over 55 (-115)
Illinois +205 +7 (-115) Under 55 (-105)

Odds as of August 18th at DraftKings.

Frost in Charge – For Now

For now, Frost’s status has not changed. He has not received any disciplinary action and ran practice Wednesday in Lincoln.

Frost said in a post-practice news conference that the workouts were approved by his superiors. Bill Moos was the athletic director before abruptly resigning being replaced by Alberts on July 14.

“Everything we did through COVID was in the best interest and health of our players in mind and everything we did was approved by athletic department administration and campus administration,” Frost said.

The NCAA has interviewed Frost, current and former staff members, administrators and football players.

It is hard to determine exactly what penalties Frost might face since there is obviously no precedent for violating workout rules during a pandemic.

A suspension would seem likely, and it is not a stretch to think Frost could be fired for cause depending upon what the investigation reveals. At least, for now, Frost is expected to be coaching the team in Week 0.

No Negative Effect on Spread

The oddsmakers and bettors apparently do not think the uncertainty surrounding Frost is going to have much an effect on Nebraska.

The Cornhuskers were favored by 6.5 points over Illinois when The Action Network’s report hit the internet Wednesday morning. Shortly thereafter, the line went up a half point to seven.

Perhaps the guys setting the line think the Fighting Ilini is going to get fat on ice cream.

It is more likely an indictment of Frost, who has been a major disappointment since returning to his alma mater in 2018 as the replacement for Mike Riley.

Nebraska is 12-20 under Frost and only one of the 16 coaches in program history had fewer wins through his first three seasons. The Cornhuskers had a 4-8 record in Frost’s first season then followed with 5-7 in 2019 and 3-5 during last year’s pandemic-shortened season.

The Cornhuskers are in danger of having four consecutive losing seasons for the first time since running off six sub.-500 finishes in a row from 1956-61.

Much more was expected of Frost, who led Central Florida to a 13-0 the season before coming to Nebraska. He is under contract through 2026 and his present buyout is a hefty $20 million.

Do Huskers Need Frost to Beat the Ilini?

Frost was already on the hot seat before the NCAA’s investigation. That seat only gets warmer now, but the coach’s status shouldn’t really have an effect for the game against Illinois because Nebraska has the better team.

The Cornhuskers have a veteran quarterback in four-year starter Adrian Martinez. Though Nebraska is just 12-20 in Martinez’s starts, eight losses have been five points or less, though he has taken a beating at times.

The offense should be better with improved depth at running back and wide receivers. Eight full-time starters return on defense along with three part-time starters.

Illinois has a new coach in Bret Bielema and a host of new players after predecessor Lovie Smith managed just a 17-39 record in five seasons. Theoretically, a more experienced Nebraska team should have the upper hand on opening day.

Nebraska should also have the revenge factor in its favor after being upset by Illinois 41-23 as 16.5-point favorites last season at home. The smarting Cornhuskers should be fired up going into Champaign and open with a win regardless of who is running the show.

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