*** 2020 Game 4 "Expert" Picks: Illinois At Nebraska ***

Call your shot!

  • Nebraska Wins & Covers (-14)

    Votes: 23 48.9%

  • Nebraska wins but doesn't cover

    Votes: 21 44.7%

  • Illinois Wins

    Votes: 3 6.4%
  • Total voters
    47
Saunders

Saunders

Administrator
2020 Game 4 “Expert” Picks: Illinois @ Nebraska

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CollegeFootballNews.com

https://collegefootballnews.com/2020/11/nebraska-vs-illinois-prediction-game-preview

Why Illinois Will Win

Well there’s the running game. Illinois had a few decent runs here and there, and the passing game worked against Purdue, but against Rutgers the offense finally started to rumble like it’s supposed to with 338 yards on the ground with Chase Brown having a big day, and former star recruit Isaiah Williams going off after getting the chance to make the offense his. Williams only hit 7-of-18 passes for 104 yards, but he took off for 192 yards and a score. Illinois simplified the offense, let 1 take over, and it all worked. Now Nebraska has to deal with the dynamic sort of playmaker its offense has been looking for on a consistent basis in the Scott Frost era. And …

Why Nebraska Will Win

Adrian Martinez wasn’t bad. He started the season against Ohio State and Northwestern – two of the Big Ten’s best defenses. However, Luke McCaffrey hit 16-of-21 passes in his work against Ohio State and Northwestern, and he was good enough against Penn State with 152 passing yards and 67 on the ground. The Huskers are still having problems on third downs, and the offense as a whole is sputtering, but defensive line is getting into the backfield and should be strong against a shaky Illinois offensive line. No, Nebraska isn’t throwing well, but Illinois is having bigger problems.

What’s Going To Happen

The Nebraska defensive front might not have the stats to back it up, but it actually hasn’t been all that bad and it’s been terrific at getting behind the line. It’ll swarm all over Williams, there won’t be any Illinois passing game to back it up, and Nebraska will win its fifth game in a row over the Illini.

Nebraska 34 - Illinois 23

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ESPN FPI

http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/fpi/_/id/158/year/2020

Nebraska - 80.1% Win

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DRatings

https://www.dratings.com/predictor/ncaa-football-predictions/

Nebraska - 92.0% Win

Nebraska 40 - Illinois 17

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Bill Connelly SP+

https://twitter.com/ESPN_BillC/status/1329096337695105026?s=20

Nebraska - 81.0% Win

Nebraska 36 - Illinois 21

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Big Red Wrap-Up

http://netnebraska.org/interactive-multimedia/sports/big-red-wrap-illinois-prediction-6

Mike’l Severe: Nebraska 34 - Illinois 17

Jay More: Nebraska 31 - Illinois 23

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Dallas Morning News

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/oklahoma-sooners/2020/11/17/college-football-picks-week-12-predictions-for-bedlam-smu-houston-texas-kansas-unt-rice-and-more/

Scott Bell: N

Sam Blum: N

Chuck Carlton: N

Corby Davidson: N

Ric Renner: N

Jose Rodriguez: N

New Scruggs: N

Kevin Sherrington: N

Brett Vito: N

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Champaign News Gazette

https://www.news-gazette.com/sports/picks-to-click-week-5-in-big-ten-football/article_e612cace-1d80-5c10-a170-387fd5f6c3fa.html

Both teams had breakout performances from redshirt freshman quarterbacks last week — Luke McCaffrey for the Cornhuskers and Isaiah Williams for the Illini. McCaffrey should get a second start, but Williams likely makes way for a returning Brandon Peters.

 Nebraska 31 - Illinois 20

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Saunders said:
Same. I'd absolutely love a an old fashioned blowout win though. Seems like it's been ages since we've had one of those.
Click to expand...
We had one just 5 games ago, but also an entire 12 months ago. Everything is just strange.

I threw down $2 on Illinois to win $16 when it was at 15 points.  I'll happily give up $2 for a Husker cover but can have $14 for drinks if they screw it up.   :cheers

 
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Peters flubs and Nebraska jumps out to a 14-0 lead. Williams comes in and give Illinois a spark but the good guys hold off a comeback and win 21-17.

 
This is a hope v. expectations game for me.

Hope = The first half decides offense decides to stay all game long.  The d-line consistently stuffs the run. Reimers, Honas, and Domann all contain both the QB run and quick pass to the TE.  42-17 NU.

Expectation = The first half v. second half offense issue continues to be problematic.  The blackshirts continue to have their troubles with mobile quarterbacks, and while the defense largely plays well...one lapse in coverage causes a back breaking big play. 34-28 Illini.

 
I think we jump out to a big lead because Smith starts Peters and he struggles against out defense. Then Williams comes in and makes it more of a game but our offense finally gets the rushing attack going against a pedestrian Illini defense and keeps it out of reach. NU-41 Illini- 31

 
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