Fresh off its first win of the season, Nebraska will open preparation for its next game — an 11 a.m. matchup against Illinois in Lincoln — as a big favorite.
Oddsmakers released an opening line on Sunday morning, listing the Huskers as 14-point favorites over the Fighting Illini.
Both teams picked up their first wins of the season this past weekend. Nebraska went up early and then held on late to knock off Penn State 30-23, while Illinois kicked a last-second field goal to knock off Rutgers on the road for its first Big Ten win.
Both teams went to new starting quarterbacks for their wins, as well. Nebraska went with redshirt freshman Luke McCaffrey, while Illinois started Isaiah Williams — the fourth starting quarterback in as many weeks for the Fighting Illini. Williams carried 31 times for 192 yards, and was 7-for-19 through the air.
Illinois will have a decision to make as to who will be under center against the Huskers. Starting quarterback Brandon Peters tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this season and will be eligible to return to the lineup this week per Big Ten Conference protocols.
On the Nebraska side, McCaffrey was steady, but unspectacular in the win over Penn State. McCaffrey helped Nebraska run out to a 27-6 lead at halftime, moving the ball with his legs and through the air. McCaffrey finished the game 13-for-21 passing for 152 yards one touchdown and one interception through the air. He added another 67 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown on the ground.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost said the decision to go with McCaffrey over Martinez was one of the toughest he has had to make in his career, and that either could have held claim to the starting job. He said he hoped that getting the first win of the season will help Nebraska get some positive momentum heading into the second half of its Big Ten schedule.
“You need to learn how to win and I think winning will help the kids know they can win and find ways to win going forward,” Frost said. “I’m certainly not happy with how a lot of things went in the second half. I don’t think that game should have been as close as it was, but when we find a way to win hopefully again that we’ve turned a corner there and next time we’re in that situation we’ll put the hammer down.”
The series between Illinois and Nebraska has been a close one at times in recent years. While Nebraska owns a 13-3-1 advantage all-time in the series, the Huskers got all they could handle last season against Illinois in a 42-38 victory in Champaign. Nebraska has won the last four meetings in the series.
Saturday’s 11 a.m. kick against the Fighting Illini will be televised on FS1.
