Saunders Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 2020 Game 4 “Expert” Picks: Illinois @ Nebraska ————— 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 ————— ESPN FPI http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/fpi/_/id/158/year/2020 Nebraska - 80.1% Win ————— DRatings https://www.dratings.com/predictor/ncaa-football-predictions/ Nebraska - 92.0% Win Nebraska 40 - Illinois 17 ————— Bill Connelly SP+ https://twitter.com/ESPN_BillC/status/1329096337695105026?s=20 Nebraska - 81.0% Win Nebraska 36 - Illinois 21 ————— 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 ————— 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 ————— 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 ————— 2 Quote Link to comment
DevoHusker Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 I always get worried when I see "it's unanimous" that Huskers will win btw, I think we win but don't cover 2 Quote Link to comment
Saunders Posted November 19, 2020 Author Share Posted November 19, 2020 3 minutes ago, DevoHusker said: I always get worried when I see "it's unanimous" that Huskers will win btw, I think we win but don't cover 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. 2 Quote Link to comment
BigRedBuster Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 3 minutes ago, DevoHusker said: I always get worried when I see "it's unanimous" that Huskers will win btw, I think we win but don't cover I loved opening this up and seeing it unanimous. Reminds me of the old days. I think we win AND cover. 4 1 Quote Link to comment
Hilltop Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 4 minutes ago, 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. Almost a year ago to the date... Nebraska 54 Maryland 7 I think Nebraska easily covers and wins by 3+ scores. 5 Quote Link to comment
runningblind Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 19 minutes ago, 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. 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. 1 Quote Link to comment
Saunders Posted November 19, 2020 Author Share Posted November 19, 2020 11 minutes ago, runningblind said: We had one just 5 games ago, but also an entire 12 months ago. Everything is just strange. I threw down $2 on Illinois 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. Yeah, guess it really seems like 3 years ago because, well... 2020. 2 Quote Link to comment
deedsker Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment
GSG Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 2 minutes ago, deedsker said: 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. If we only score 21 points on these clowns, I will be extremely disappointed 8 1 Quote Link to comment
deedsker Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 Their passing defense is horrible, but we haven't shown any ability to use that this year. I am not seeing that as our knockout punch unless Betts and Fleming are on the field a whole lot more. 2 Quote Link to comment
Husker NoNo Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment
commando Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 3 hours ago, Hilltop said: I think Nebraska easily covers and wins by 3+ scores. i think we win by 3 scores...but with our redzone issues it might be 3 field goals we win by. but....winning by any score is good enough this year. 1 2 Quote Link to comment
Gorillahawk Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 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 1 Quote Link to comment
I AM FOOT FOOT Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 I just want to see 4 quarters of somewhat good football, no more 2nd half naps 1 Quote Link to comment
Hilltop Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 41 minutes ago, Gorillahawk said: 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 You have us giving up 31 to a team that has scored 7 against Wisconsin, 14 against a terrible Minnesota that is averaging 36 points scored on them weekly, 23 against Rutgers, and 24 against Purdue. If that happens, we need to burn those new blackshirts... 1 Quote Link to comment
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