*** 2021 Game 1 "Expert" Picks: Nebraska at Illinois ***

[Saunders]

2021 Game 1 “Expert” Picks: Nebraska @ Illinois

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CollegeFootballNews.com - https://collegefootballnews.com/2021/08/nebraska-vs-illinois-prediction-game-preview

Why Nebraska Will Win

The ground game should be able to take over right away. The passing attack might be a tad iffy until a few new playmakers emerge, but the Huskers have a good group of backs around QB Adrian Martinez, and the offensive front will be fine despite losing the two top parts from last year’s line. This isn’t going to be a top Illinois defense quite yet – if at all. There’s talent on the Illini side, but after finishing dead last in the Big Ten in total defense, there’s an overhaul being done. However …

Why Illinois Will Win

New head coach Bret Bielema and new defensive coordinator Ryan Walters should be able to crank up the pass rush and the pressure into the backfield. Nebraska has some good offensive parts, but most of them are untested and Martinez has yet to show any real consistency. The Illinois linebacking corps will be a massive plus and the line should be far, far stronger. On the other side, Illinois has a few good receiving transfers to bother the Husker secondary, and it should have a decent enough running game to at least keep things moving.

What’s Going To Happen

Nebraska might be having its issues under Scott Frost, but it won four straight over the Illini before last year’s 41-23 shocker in Lincoln. Both teams are going to come up with an ultra-intense effort in what should a game full of plenty of energy. It’s going to be ragged, full of mistakes, and there won’t be too much coming from the respective passing games, but it’s going to be a fun opener to the season and the Bielema era. Can the Nebraska passing game come up with the big plays needed to overcome a solid effort from the Illinois balanced attack? Martinez will have a hard time breaking free from the Illini linebacking corps, but Nebraska will be good enough on the ground in the second half to come up with the program’s first season-opening road win since rocking Iowa 42-7 in 1999.

Nebraska 30 - Illinois 24

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ESPN FPI - https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401282714

Nebraska - 64.8% Win

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DRatings - https://www.dratings.com/predictor/ncaa-football-predictions/9bd354a3-f6b0-5c8e-bfb5-52060f179cff

Nebraska 29 - Illinois 25

Nebraska - 63.3% Win

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Fox Sports - https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/boxscore?id=34673

Nebraska - 70.7% Win

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Big Red Wrap-Up - https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/series-media/big-red-wrap-up/standalone-video-15847/illinois-prediction-50016152/

Mike’l Severe: Nebraska 34 - Illinois 20

Jay More: Nebraska 32 - Illinois 21

Sean Callahan: Nebraska 27 - Illinois 21

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The Athletic: Nebraska at Illinois odds, expert selections, betting trends
https://theathletic.com/2781368/2021/08/24/nebraska-at-illinois-odds-expert-selections-betting-trends-can-adrian-martinez-sour-bret-bielemas-illini-debut/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983

Expert Selection

Last year’s meeting between these two was the low point of Nebraska’s season and the high points of Illinois’. It was also the last start for Luke McCaffrey before Adrian Martinez took over the rest of the way. McCaffrey threw three interceptions against Illinois and Martinez was 3-for-4 for a touchdown in his limited playing time. With McCaffrey now at Rice and Martinez the unquestioned started for Nebraska, don’t expected a repeat of 2020. — Dan Santaromita

Pick: Nebraska -7

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Illini Inquirer - https://247sports.com/college/nebraska/Article/Nebraska-Huskers-football-opponent-breakdown-Illinois-Illini-game-prediction-169559692/

I honestly think this is a pretty even matchup. I think Nebraska will have trouble containing the Illini running game, and I think Illinois has tough matchups with Nebraska’s talented (though a bit unproven) wide receiver and Martinez’s ability to run always poses a problem. I go back and forth on this one — and I may change my pick by Friday — but I’d probably side with Nebraska as a slight favorite, maybe something like 32-28. But it truly is a blind pick because I’ve barely seen Bielema’s Illini team practice.

Nebraska 32 - Illinois 28

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Hail Varsity - https://hailvarsity.com/football/mailbag-game-week-predictions-for-nebraska-illinois-alliance-talk-and-more/

Brandon Vogel: Nebraska 34 - Illinois 24

Erin Sorensen: Nebraska 30 - Illinois 21
Jacob Padilla: Nebraska 31 - Illinois 21 

Greg Smith: Nebraska 31 - Illinois 30 

Steve Marik: Nebraska 27 - Illinois 24

Drake Keeler: Nebraska 24 - Illinois 20

Mike Babcock: Nebraska 35 - Illinois 31

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Bill Connelly's SP+ - https://twitter.com/ESPN_BillC/status/1430613309552795650

Nebraska 32 - Illinois 22

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Athlon Sports - https://athlonsports.com/college-football/college-football-picks-expert-predictions-every-game-week-0-2021
Steven Lassan - N
Mark Ross - N
Ben Weinreb - N

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More to come!!!

 

[Saunders]

My Pick... Nebraska 27 - Illinois 17

 

[teachercd]

Peters has no one to throw to now that Izbezwjewbo is gone.  They will have one threat in the slot and a decent RB.  Peters in the Pistol is a disaster waiting to happen.

Husker DL might not get a pass rush but they won't get run on either.

AM will do his typical 70% completion rate with 250 yards passing and 75 yards rushing and account for 3-4 TD's and people will still b!^@h that he sucks.

NU 40

Illinois 17

But it will be a boring type of game.

 

[Saunders]

Im all about a boring opener.

 

[presidentjlh]

Peters has no one to throw to now that Izbezwjewbo is gone.  They will have one threat in the slot and a decent RB.  Peters in the Pistol is a disaster waiting to happen.

Husker DL might not get a pass rush but they won't get run on either.

AM will do his typical 70% completion rate with 250 yards passing and 75 yards rushing and account for 3-4 TD's and people will still b!^@h that he sucks.

NU 40

Illinois 17

But it will be a boring type of game.

I would kill for a game where we just kick the crap out of someone. It feels like it's been so long since such.

 

[Decoy73]

NU 35-24

 

[talaricohusker]

I think NU can score 50+ on these guys if they can get rolling. The D can prob shut out the Illini O.

NU 55

Illini 0 

 

[irafreak]

Peters has no one to throw to now that Izbezwjewbo is gone.  They will have one threat in the slot and a decent RB.  Peters in the Pistol is a disaster waiting to happen.

Husker DL might not get a pass rush but they won't get run on either.

AM will do his typical 70% completion rate with 250 yards passing and 75 yards rushing and account for 3-4 TD's and people will still b!^@h that he sucks.

NU 40

Illinois 17

But it will be a boring type of game.

I never find Nebraska blowouts boring. Relaxing fun. 

 

[HuskerInLostWages]

Hoping for a blowout but we win by 10.

Edit oh and 31-21

 

[Cobra Kai]

I am more bullish on our offenses potential for this season than some of you.  We shouldn't have issues moving the ball and putting up points against teams like Illinois.  That is, if we stay out of our own way.

I'm more concerned with our d vs. their o.  Not that we suck, or they're a juggernaut.. but we were gashed quite a bit last year and that breeds confidence for them and leaves doubt a bit for us.  Throw in new schemes/formations and it could be a bit dicey on the defensive side for a bit.

I'm all positive though, and we get er done convincingly.

NEBRASKA 45  Illinois  21

 

[Guy Chamberlin]

I want Nebraska to outplay Illinois in the second half. 

 

[Hilltop]

31-20 NU wins.  At times it won't be pretty but the boys get it done.

 

[hskrfan4life]

42 - 7 Nebraska

 

[BigRedBuster]

Do you guys realize there's actually a thread to put your predictions in?  It's a contest.  I think the winner gets a free membership to this site for a year.

 

[VectorVictor]

I want to see a Nebraska team dominate in the second half and keep their foot on Illinois' throat. 

We've been hearing about all of this conditioning...it's time for it to show up.