5 things to know about Nebraska’s Friday night game at Illinois

After three straight losses, Nebraska football needs a win.

The Huskers will get their chance Friday night at Illinois. In 2023, during Matt Rhule’s first season, Nebraska football won a Friday game at Illinois. In 2024, the Fighting Illini won the game in overtime.

Nebraska missed a field goal in the last few minutes of that game, just like the Huskers had key field-goal misses against Indiana and Washington.

Matt Rhule is feeling the pressure. The entire team has to be. Yet, Rhule said he won’t quit. The best thing the Huskers can do is win. That will cure a lot of ailments and clinch a bowl game for the third consecutive season.

With all that in mind, here are five things to know about Nebraska vs. Illinois.

How to watch

• Time: 7 p.m. CST
• TV: Fox
• Radio: Huskers.com
• Streaming: Fubo TV or Fox Sports app

Nebraska vs. Illinois odds

The Huskers are a 4.5-point favorite. That dropped a couple of points from earlier in the week. The over/under is 50.5. The moneyline is -188 for Nebraska and +158 for Illinois.

Mistake-free football

One thing about Illinois, a team that is 5-3 just like Nebraska, is that the Fighting Illini don’t beat themselves. They have just six giveaways this season, which is second in the Big Ten and 13th nationally. Illinois is first in fewest penalties and second in fewest penalty yards. The Huskers are 17th in the Big Ten in both categories. That will be something to watch. Nebraska is plus-3 in turnover margin. Illinois is even.

Turnover margin cost Nebraska against Washington. If the Huskers lose the turnover battle and there is a huge gap in penalty yards, the losing streak will go from three to four.

Great week for Anthony Colandrea to get back on track

Colandrea has struggled against Washington, throwing three interceptions compared to just one touchdown. He said they just need to get back to playing football. The pressure might be getting to them.

However, Illinois is a good team to face. The Illini are 16th in the Big Ten in passing yards allowed per game. They are also 17th in third-down conversion percentage by opponents. Illinois is 10th or worse in every major defensive category, while Nebraska ranks in the top seven offensively.

Colandrea should be able to make hay against this defense. The running game, too.

Rhule’s road record

Matt Rhule is 1-5 in November road games in the Big Ten. The only win was last season’s triumph over UCLA with JT Lateef playing quarterback. Emmett Johnson went off.

That was a bad UCLA team. Illinois is bowl-eligible with a win. Bret Bielema is one of the best coaches in the Big Ten, so this is a massive challenge for the Huskers.

They need to play well and finally finish the job

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