Nebraska and Illinois both arrive at 5-3, but they’re carrying very different baggage into this one.
For Nebraska, the week has been anything but calm. A fan revolt has pushed close to the boiling point, and coach Rhule’s answer was to move some coaches to the press box - not exactly the kind of move that screams confidence. The Huskers are also coming in after three straight gut-punch losses, the kind that can hang around long after the final whistle.
Illinois, meanwhile, has the opposite feel. Under Bret Bielema, the Illini have won three straight and seem to be playing with a steadier pulse. That’s the real question here: are these teams in the same place record-wise but headed in completely different directions?
Momentum matters. So does belief. Nebraska has to shake off the late-game damage it’s taken recently, while Illinois has the kind of swagger that can make a tight game tilt its way.
One thing looks obvious from the start: Nebraska cannot let Illinois’ best player take over. That player is wide receiver Collin Dixon, who has 60 catches for 781 yards and 10 touchdowns. The coverage plan there will be worth watching - whether that means Andrew Marshall shadowing him, double coverage, or something more aggressive.
Coaching is another clear edge for Illinois. Bielema’s teams are known for being tough and for avoiding the late mistakes that have burned Nebraska.
The Huskers, by contrast, are still searching for answers. Until coach Rhule’s teams show more against good competition, the doubts aren’t going anywhere.
Then there’s the Nebraska offense, which still hasn’t found a real identity. How committed will the Huskers be to the run?
If Illinois loads the box, will Nebraska keep trying to throw over the top? Right now, the offense has largely stalled, and opponents seem to have figured out the tricks.
The line from the source says maybe the air in the press box has more oxygen than the sidelines, helping coaches breathe deeper and focus better.
Bob and Jay both see a game that follows the same script: one team leads for most of the afternoon, then the other scores a touchdown with less than a minute left to win 24-20.
Bob is taking Illinois, and he thinks a fumble return for a touchdown would be a brutal way to send Nebraska fans home hurt again. Jay is picking Nebraska, believing the Huskers will do the same thing that’s been done to them and pull it out.
Prediction: One team 24, the other team 20.
In Other News...
Nebraskas Fourth Straight Loss Exposed Two Bigger Problems
A promising start in Champaign still ended the same way for Nebraska, which dropped a 24-13 decision to Illinois on Friday night and watched its losing streak reach four games. The defense opened with a scoreless first quarter and gave the Huskers a chance to settle in, while freshman running back Jamal Rule returned from injury and provided a needed spark with 69 yards on 15 carries.
But the longer the game went, the more Illinois found answers, and Nebraska could not keep the Illini from landing the key plays that swung the night. Wide receiver Collin Dixon turned in a record-breaking performance, another reminder that the Huskers are still searching for consistency on both sides of the ball as the season keeps slipping away. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Gets A Key Friday Night Boost With One Big Question Left
Nebraska is set to get a needed lift up front Friday night, with Gunnar Gottula expected back on the offensive line against Illinois after working his way through a head injury. The Cornhuskers have been waiting for help in that area, and Gottulas return gives the group a little more stability as it heads into a game with real Big Ten weight.
There is also encouraging news on the back end, where safety Jamir Conn has returned to practice and is listed as probable, though he still needs final clearance before he can suit up. Even with those positives, Nebraska is still managing a short list of absences, including Anthony Jones, so the final availability report will still matter when the Huskers line up Friday night. [Read more 🡒]
Archie Wilson Just Became An Unlikely Nebraska Bright Spot
A season that had already put Nebraskas special teams under a microscope got a lift this week when Archie Wilson landed on the Ray Guy Award Midseason Watch List. The honor, which goes to the nations top punter, is a notable turnaround for a player who had been under fire earlier in the year and has now worked his way back into the conversation with his leg.
Wilsons latest recognition came after a strong showing that earned him Ray Guy Punter of the Week, highlighted by a 49.8 net-yard average, four punts inside the Washington 20-yard line and no returns. For a Nebraska team looking for steadier footing in all phases, Wilson has suddenly become one of the more encouraging developments on the roster. [Read more 🡒]