The Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-3, 2-3 Big Ten) and the Illinois Fighting Illini (5-3, 3-2) meet Friday at the Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (FOX). Let's analyze college football odds around the Nebraska vs. Illinois odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.
Nebraska's 5-0 start feels like a distant memory after its third straight loss, falling 17-10 Saturday to the Washington Huskies as 7.5-point home favorites as the Under (49.5) cashed. The Cornhuskers outgained the Huskies 387-235, but QB Anthony Colandrea threw 3 INTs despite passing for 255 yards and a TD.
Illinois picked up its third straight victory, edging the Maryland Terrapins 20-17 on K Ethan Moczulski's
26-yard field goal as time expired. The Fighting Illini covered as 2.5-point road favorites, while the Under (54.5) cashed. QB Katin Houser returned from a hand injury to throw for 223 yards with a TD and INT. RB Javari Barnett had 80 rushing yards and a score.
Nebraska leads the all-time series 14-7-1, outscoring the Fighting Illini 771-386. However, Illinois has won 4 of the last 5 meetings, including a 31-24 overtime victory in 2024 as 9.5-point road underdogs while the Over (42.5) cashed.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
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Nebraska at Illinois odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:21 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nebraska -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Illinois +165 (bet $100 to win $165)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nebraska -4.5 (-108) | Illinois +4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 50.5 (O: -108 | U: -110)
Nebraska at Illinois picks and predictions
Prediction
Nebraska 24, Illinois 21
Moneyline
PASS.
I'm okay with taking Illinois (+165) on the moneyline at home. That score could easily be flipped in this matchup, but I'll play it safe personally taking the points.
Against the spread
BET ILLINOIS +4.5 (-110).
Nebraska has lost 3 straight games with its offense averaging just 13.6 points during that stretch. The Cornhuskers managed only 10 points in last week's loss to Washington, with Colandrea turning it over 3 times.
Illinois enters Friday riding a 3-game winning streak, including impressive victories over the Oregon Ducks and Maryland. The Fighting Illini have found ways to win close games, showing the kind of late-game execution Nebraska has lacked recently.
Playing at home in Champaign should provide another advantage, especially with a Friday night crowd energized by Dads Day and the "Hail to the Blue" promotion.
Nebraska's struggling offense and recent turnover problems create a favorable matchup for Illinois. With momentum on its side and a defense capable of forcing mistakes, the Fighting Illini have a legitimate opportunity to pull off the upset.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 50.5 (-108).
Nebraska allows just 15.6 points and 270.8 yards per game, but its offense has struggled, scoring 17 points or fewer in 3 straight losses. Illinois has also improved defensively, holding Maryland to just 3 points over the final 26 minutes last week. With chilly, windy conditions expected in Champaign, both teams could lean on their running games, limiting possessions and scoring opportunities.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Nebraska Cornhuskers at Illinois Fighting Illini odds, picks and predictions
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