Friday night in the Big Ten brings a matchup that feels like it’s tilting in opposite directions. Illinois hosts Nebraska with both teams sitting at 5-3, but the recent form tells a different story: the Illini are riding a three-game winning streak, while the Cornhuskers have dropped three straight, including an upset loss to Washington at home last week.
Illinois also has the recent edge in the series, beating Nebraska in overtime in the last meeting between the teams in 2024.
A big part of Nebraska’s early-season surge came from Anthony Colandrea, who transferred in for his senior year and immediately looked like the right fit. He helped the Cornhuskers race out to a 5-0 start, completing 65.7% of his passes - 94 of 143 - for 1,142 yards, 13 touchdowns and two interceptions.
But the last three games have been a different story. Over that stretch, he’s thrown for 683 yards on 67 of 120 passing, a 55.9% clip, with just two touchdowns and five interceptions.
Colandrea did at least add a rushing touchdown in each of Nebraska’s first two losses before the wheels really came off against Washington, when he turned the ball over three times.
Illinois, meanwhile, has been much steadier at home. The Illini are 3-2 in their own building this season and just knocked off Oregon in their most recent game at Giles Memorial Stadium. Nebraska has been less convincing away from home, going 1-1 on the road and losing at Oregon in its last road trip.
That’s why the lean here is Illinois with the points at home. This has the feel of a game that stays tight deep into the fourth quarter, maybe even one decided by a field goal. Under the lights on Friday night, the home underdog looks like the side to back.
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Nebraska Football Has A Brutal Problem Fans Are Tired Of Watching
Matt Rhule spent his latest media availability talking through the Illinois matchup and looking back at the Washington loss, a familiar routine for Nebraska fans who have watched this season follow the same painful script. The Cornhuskers have been in position to win every game this year, carrying leads into the fourth quarter each time, only to watch those chances slip away before the finish.
For a fan base already weary of close calls, the frustration is less about effort than execution, and Rhule made clear he intends to keep pushing through the criticism and the losses. There is still plenty of football left to sort out, but Nebraskas immediate challenge is obvious: turn late-game control into an actual result before another promising night turns into another missed opportunity. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Colandrea Owns Nebraskas Costly Mistakes Before Illinois
Anthony Colandrea didnt hide from Nebraskas mistakes after the Huskers 17-10 loss to Washington, pointing to his three interceptions as a major reason the game slipped away. The quarterback also talked about the offenses broader issues, saying the group has to do a better job staying on schedule if it wants to keep drives alive and avoid putting the defense in tough spots.
Looking ahead, Colandrea said he expects to be back at Nebraska in 2027, a sign he sees himself as part of the programs longer-term picture even as the Huskers try to clean up the short-term problems. He also noted the effect of the game environment and stressed the need for Nebraska to play more as a unit, a message that should carry plenty of weight as the team turns the page toward Illinois. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraskas Blowout Showed Something Huskers Fans Will Love
Nebraskas lopsided win over Le Moyne was the kind of November tune-up that can still tell you something real about a team. The Huskers grabbed control early and never let it slip, and the box score backed up what the eye test suggested: better shooting, more rebounds and more ball movement than the visitors could match. Pryce Sandfort led Nebraska with 20 points, giving the offense a steady focal point on a night when the Huskers looked organized from the start.
What should matter most to Nebraska fans, though, is how many pieces were involved in the result. The Huskers leaned on a deep rotation, and Connor Essegians return added another scoring option in limited minutes as he finished with 13 points. With Trevor Roe matching Sandfort for Le Moyne with 20, the game still had a few individual bright spots on the other side, but Nebraskas depth and balance were the bigger takeaway, especially as the season starts to ask more from the roster. [Read more 🡒]