Pregame: Illinois at Nebraska, Friday, September 20th, 7:00pm CT, FOX
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Orange Sky at morning, Huskers take warning…
Red tail?
i agree with Pruman under the following conditions -
IF we finally realize that our strength on offense is our WR group,
AND we pass early and often, shots down field,
THEN we set up the run
we will win
band camp
- STL City
OrangeBlue98
- Des Moines, IA
I wrote a few days ago about the factors, but here's my prediction.
Going with my head over my heart. I think Illinois will be very competitive in this game, but Nebraska rides the wave of a very vocal home crowd and wins a relatively low-scoring affair. I think Ruhle is a good enough coach to recognize that the Illinois run defense vs the Nebraska run offense is the deciding factor and exploits that.
Nebraska 24
Illinois 17
Going with my head over my heart. I think Illinois will be very competitive in this game, but Nebraska rides the wave of a very vocal home crowd and wins a relatively low-scoring affair. I think Ruhle is a good enough coach to recognize that the Illinois run defense vs the Nebraska run offense is the deciding factor and exploits that.
Nebraska 24
Illinois 17
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
Orange sky in the morning , Huskers take warning
I wish that was actually over Lincoln NE
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot | |
| ILL | 3 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 16 |
| NEB | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 20 |
My prediction. PKs keep us in the game. Offense looks like garbage in their first game on the road. We get a late garbage TD to cover the spread.
my home away from home!
Big Jack
- Decatur
Yes sir getting carts out for the old guys this morning
I, like a lot of you, want to go with my head over my heart. I feel like there’s a lot of pieces playing toward a Nebraska win tonight. If that happens it would make total sense but I just can’t shake the feeling that we’re in for a win. Many predictors that seem to know all are picking Nebraska in a close win. Kansas gives me hope that we’ve got the grit to handle another close one.
So, with that said, let’s refer back to the preseason prediction. I had this as a close-fight win then, and I’ve gotta stick with it now. Illinois 25 - Nebraska 21
So, with that said, let’s refer back to the preseason prediction. I had this as a close-fight win then, and I’ve gotta stick with it now. Illinois 25 - Nebraska 21
I would expect and hope that there are parts of the offensive we've yet to see. A few things that isn't on film from this year, a few surprises or changes. Beloved by 10
It’s a lot more fun to have orange colored glasses this time of year when we are 3-0 them going in expecting us to lose- so I love the optimism
However, to your point advanced stats have us with only a 25% chance of winning this game, so no reason for a melt down if we lose- it’s not a #24 vs #22 game - the gap in reality is much bigger than that. The advanced stats are based on how the teams have played to date- it doesn’t take into account changes in strategy etc. this will be a coaching win or loss in my opinion- if we run every first and second down, we are sure to lose- but if we’re throwing the ball effectively on first downs, I think we will score a good amount even against a very good defense - I think play calling and breaking our tendencies of the past become critical in this game
We have nothing to lose- go all out and get a win!
24-14 Illinois, and not as close as the score
Like you, I’d like to see us play to win, but so far that doesn’t seem to be Bret’s style. I’m afraid we’ll again see repeated fruitless runs into a wall for three quarters, trying to wear them down for more creative play calling in the fourth quarter. Hope I’m wrong though.
Krombopulos_Michael
- Aurora, Illinois (that’s a suburb of Chicago)
If we can actually wear them down that way I’m all for it. Win pretty or win ugly I don’t think many of us here should care. Just win baby.
A lot of experts seem to be picking Neb because their stats are so much better than ours, but I don't think they've placed enough weight on the opponents both teams have faced. We both played an unranked FCS team. The huskers also played # 129 ranked UTEP and #70 ranked Colorado (per Teamrankings.com). We played #108 CMU and #32 KS. Our stats would look a lot better if we hadn't played anyone in the top 69. It's our passing game vs their running game. Take the Illini and the points.
ptgrd23
- orange county CA
This game will be like Illini Basketball Madison Square Garden game vs. Florida Atlantic. We blow them out then realize this years football team could be very special.
www.espn.com
Illinois 98-89 Florida Atlantic (Dec 5, 2023) Final Score - ESPN
Game summary of the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Florida Atlantic Owls NCAAM game, final score 98-89, from December 5, 2023 on ESPN.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
I think our secondary will get at least 2 turnovers against a frosh QB1 .....Now he is a talented frosh but we have elite defenders and I hope our DC will try to rattle him with some opportune blitz's that will result in overthrows and TO's for the Illini..........
Our running game needs to have better production this game.....Seems to me that Feagin is a tad b it slower hitting the creases compared to last year........Laughery needs to come into this game with confidence and Valentine is that jitterbug that can burst a long one at any time......McCray had some good runs last game and I hope he continues to stay healthy.....
luke needs to be accurate as bryant and Franklin will catch the ball if Luke leads them accurately.......
finally , we have 2 great kickers so don't overlook that aspect if we get within 55-60 yards...........
JMHO............
Our running game needs to have better production this game.....Seems to me that Feagin is a tad b it slower hitting the creases compared to last year........Laughery needs to come into this game with confidence and Valentine is that jitterbug that can burst a long one at any time......McCray had some good runs last game and I hope he continues to stay healthy.....
luke needs to be accurate as bryant and Franklin will catch the ball if Luke leads them accurately.......
finally , we have 2 great kickers so don't overlook that aspect if we get within 55-60 yards...........
JMHO............
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