*** 2017 Game 5 "Expert" Picks: Nebraska at Illinois ***

Nebraska at Illinois (-6.5)

  • Nebraska wins and covers

    Votes: 25 59.5%

  • Nebraska wins close (doesn't cover)

    Votes: 11 26.2%

  • Illinois Wins

    Votes: 6 14.3%
  • Total voters
    42
  • Poll closed .
Saunders

Saunders

Heisman Trophy Winner
2017 Game 5 “Expert” Picks: Nebraska @ Illinois
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CollegeFootballNews.com

http://collegefootballnews.com/2017/09/nebraska-illinois-prediction-game-preview

What’s the problem, Nebraska? You’re 1-0 in Big Ten play. Of course, the first part of the season has been a disaster for the Huskers, with a win over Arkansas State that probably should’ve been a loss, a horrible first half against Oregon, and then came the clunker against Northern Illinois. As bad as all that was, looking awful in a ten-point win over Rutgers might have been worse. But a win at Illinois would make it 2-0 in the conference with Wisconsin coming up next in Lincoln. the chance is there to turn this around – can Big Red flip the switch? Illinois has had time off to get ready for its Big Ten opener after being embarrassed two weeks earlier on national TV against USF. This is the moment when the Lovie Smith era has to make a bit of a statement. If that’s even possible at this point by beating Nebraska.

One Reason Why Nebraska Will Win
The Nebraska defense has to be terrific. Lost on all of the problems – and the Oregon game – has been an okay year so far from that side of the ball. Now it needs to come up with a dominant performance. Illinois has a pedestrian running game, and it has a potential mess with the passing attack if QB Chayce Crouch can’t be better. Nebraska’s defensive front really has been solid so far, allowing 85 rushing yards or fewer in three of the first four games, and despite the 201 allowed to Oregon, it tightened up as the game went on. As long as the D can keep the Huskers in the game, it’s possible against this mediocre team to pull this off, but …

One Reason Why Illinois Will Win
Nebraska can’t stop screwing up. QB Tanner Lee has been a disastrous disappointment. He might have thrown for over 200 yards in each of the first three games, and wasn’t bad against Arkansas State, but the nine interceptions in the last three games have been a killer. Illinois isn’t bad when it comes to turnover margin, and this week it has to be a +2. Yes, Nebraska’s defense has been solid, but there’s no real pass rush without enough pressure to force mistakes. Illinois needs all the time it can get get the  passing game to click, and it’ll get it.

What’s Going To Happen
It’s this simple. If Lee doesn’t throw interceptions, Nebraska will win. The Huskers will control the time of possession, and the defense will rise up and keep the mediocre Illinois offense from getting into any sort of a groove. There won’t be offensive fireworks from either side, but the Illinois D won’t get off the field. This is the week Nebraska looks functional, even if it’s not fantastic.

Nebraska 24 - Illinois 20

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BTN.com

http://btn.com/2017/09/27/polls-its-time-to-pick-your-week-5-big-ten-football-winners/

Tom Dienhart: Nebraska 35 - Illinois 13
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ESPN FPI

http://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400935365

Nebraska - 60.5% Win
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Bill Connelly S&P+

https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2017/9/28/16377436/college-football-picks-week-5-2017-predictions-odds-spreads

S&P+: Nebraska 30 - Illinois 21 (68.9% Nebraska Win)
F+ Projection: Nebraska by 12 (75.5% Nebraska Win)
Adjusted S&P+: Nebraska by 13 (17.2% Nebraska Win)
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Athlon Sports

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/college-football-picks-expert-predictions-every-game-week-5-2017

Steven Lassan: N
Mitch Light : N
Bryan Fischer: N
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Big Red Wrap-Up

http://netnebraska.org/interactive-multimedia/sports/big-red-wrap-illinois-prediction-3

Kevin Kugler: Nebraska 28 - Illinois 21
Blake Lawrence: Nebraska 28 - Illinois 14
Jay Foreman: Nebraska 27 - Illinois 20
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Daily Nebraskan

http://www.dailynebraskan.com/sports/football-score-predictions-nebraska-vs-illinois/article_7d6d0ff6-a1a2-11e7-ab35-a75d7423156b.html

Greg Harmon: Illinois 28  - Nebraska 24
Zach Markon: Nebraska 24 - Illinois 17
Anna Gleason: Nebraska 27 - Illinois 17
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Last edited by a moderator:
What’s the problem, Nebraska?

One Reason Why Nebraska Will Win
The Nebraska defense has to be terrific.

One Reason Why Illinois Will Win
Nebraska can’t stop screwing up.

What’s Going To Happen
It’s this simple. If Lee doesn’t throw interceptions, Nebraska will win

This actually made me laugh, but not in a good way.  SMH

 
Wow, I actually like that most pick NU to not only win but win pretty handily.  

I just can't see Illinois scoring enough points, unless NU gets Tanner Lee'd out there.

 
I don't see Illinois scoring 20 points unless they are gifted to them.  This is not a good Illinois team. 

Will they do on offense that is needed to win the game. That is the question.  They need to run the ball and not worry about being so balanced.  Illinois is terrible against the run.  Run the ball shorten the game and win.  There is nothing wrong with a 31-14 win and 200 yards rushing and only 20 passes thrown in the game.  

Win the game get better doing it and move on and get ready to play Wisconsin.  That is all they can do at this point.  

 
They are pretty young, Lovie is a better coach than Riley...but I am not sure how much that will matter in this game.  

If Riley unplugs Langs's headset I think the Huskers run for 250 and win with ease.  If Langs's headset is working I think this becomes a game.

 
NUinID said:
I don't see Illinois scoring 20 points unless they are gifted to them.  This is not a good Illinois team. 

Will they do on offense that is needed to win the game. That is the question.  They need to run the ball and not worry about being so balanced.  Illinois is terrible against the run.  Run the ball shorten the game and win.  There is nothing wrong with a 31-14 win and 200 yards rushing and only 20 passes thrown in the game.  

Win the game get better doing it and move on and get ready to play Wisconsin.  That is all they can do at this point.  
Click to expand...


With Lee at QB this is a very real possibility

 
Illinois runs a variation of the "Tampa 2" which means they usually only have 7 defenders in the box.  If we run the ball right down their throat we win and cover imo.

 
Football Guy Bob said:
Illinois runs a variation of the "Tampa 2" which means they usually only have 7 defenders in the box.  If we run the ball right down their throat we win and cover imo.
Click to expand...
tampa 2 also has a backer drop late in the middle of the field.. Let's hope Lee knows that before throwing late across the middle... Just sayin'

 
bugeater17 said:
http://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/142941/big-ten-week-5-picks-will-nebraska-bottom-out-in-champaign

2 out of 3 ESPN big ten reporters pick Illinois to win outright... interesting.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I’ll echo the same thought that’s been posted in here that there is no way Illinois scores as much as these ESPN guys are predicting. There might be a couple of really bad defensive performances coming up for us, but it doesn’t start this week in my opinion.

Even if we manage to lose this game, I don’t think it will be because Illinois scores this much.

 
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