Big 10 West rivals in desperate need of a win meet when Illinois hosts Nebraska Friday night in Champaign.
Both teams got kicked last week and both teams are 0-2 in conference play. But we found a couple of good leans to come up with a free college football betting pick.
NCAAF Betting Odds
The Week 6 college football betting market opened Illinois at -3.5, with an over/under of right around 44. Early betting action dipped that total to 43.
Nebraska-Illinois Betting Preview
The Cornhuskers are trying to bounce back this week after falling badly at home to Michigan last week, 45-7. Nebraska allowed the Wolverines to hit paydirt on their first three possessions of the game, trailed 28-0 at the half, and mustered no challenge from there, whiffing ATS as a 17-point home dog.
The ‘Huskers got out-gained by Michigan 436-305, and 74 of Nebraska’s yards came on one meaningless play near the end of the game.
The Cornhuskers opened this season by blowing a game at Minnesota 13-10. They then lost to Colorado 36-14, although that game was 13-7 midway through the third quarter. Nebraska then beat Northern Illinois 35-11 and Louisiana Tech 28-14.
The ‘Huskers returned 15 starters for their first season under Coach Rhule, so we actually expected a better showing than what we’ve seen so far.
The Illini are also trying to bounce back after losing at Purdue last week, 44-19. Illinois actually led the Boilermakers 10-6 well into the second quarter and only trailed 16-13 at the half. But the Illini then allowed touchdowns on three of Purdue’s first four drives of the second half, and that was about it.
Illinois converted just 2/13 on 3rd downs, gave up 189 yards on the ground, and committed 83 yards’ worth of penalties.
The Illini opened this season with a 30-28 win over Toledo, then lost games to Kansas and Penn State, then had to come from behind to beat Florida Atlantic 23-17.
Illinois only returned 12 starters this season but still, that performance against Purdue puzzles us.
Nebraska-Illinois Recent History
The Illini own a three-game winning streak against the Cornhuskers, going 3-0 ATS in the process. Last year, Illinois trailed at Lincoln 9-6 in the second quarter, then scored the final 20 points of the game for the win and the cover at -7.5.
College Football Betting Trends
Illinois is 4-7 ATS in its last 11 games as a home favorite.
Totals Report
The unders are 3-2 in ‘Huskers games this season.
The totals are split 2-2-1 in Illini games.
The overs are 3-1-1 over the last five meetings between these teams.
