Illinois and Nebraska meet on Friday night under the lights at Memorial Stadium, as the Illini look to extend their three-game winning streak in the series. Both teams enter the game at 2-3 overall, and both squads are looking for their first Big Ten wins of the season.
Illinois (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) features the Big Ten’s leading receiver, Isaiah Williams. Williams has five more receptions than any Big Ten receiver and 69 more receiving yards than anyone in the conference, while his 20 first-down receptions are tied for the conference lead.
Nebraska (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) and first-year head coach Matt Rhule make the trip to Champaign after a 45-7 loss to No. 2 Michigan at home on Saturday. The Huskers have wins over Northern Illinois and Louisiana Tech on the season.
Knowing the enemy
Nebraska stats
- From an offensive standpoint, the Cornhuskers are putting up 348.4 total yards per game (94th-ranked). They rank 36th in the FBS on defense (325.6 total yards allowed per game).
- Nebraska’s passing game has been struggling, ranking eighth-worst in the FBS with 139.4 passing yards per game. It has been more effective on the defensive side of the ball, giving up 238.8 passing yards per contest (83rd-ranked).
- Things have been going well for the Cornhuskers on both offense and defense, as they are compiling 209.0 rushing yards per game (14th-best) and ceding just 86.8 rushing yards per game (15th-best).
- From an offensive angle, Nebraska is putting up a 39.0% third-down conversion percentage (83rd-ranked). It ranks 98th in the FBS on the other side of the ball (43.2% third-down rate allowed).
- With four forced turnovers (112th in the FBS) and seven turnovers committed (66th in the FBS) this season, the Cornhuskers rank 103rd in the FBS with a turnover margin of -3.
Illinois stats
- The Fighting Illini have the 71st-ranked offense this year (390.8 yards per game), and they’ve been worse defensively, ranking 23rd-worst with 419.4 yards allowed per game.
- Illinois ranks 58th in pass offense (246.8 passing yards per game) and 86th in pass defense (239.8 passing yards allowed per game) this season.
- Despite sporting a bottom-25 run defense that ranks 24th-worst in the FBS (179.6 rushing yards allowed per game), the Fighting Illini have put up better results on offense, ranking 83rd in the FBS by putting up 144.0 rushing yards per game.
- Despite having a bottom-25 defense on third down that ranks 11th-worst in the FBS (48.7% third-down percentage), Illinois has had more success offensively, ranking 106th in the FBS by posting a 34.4% third-down percentage.
- The Fighting Illini have the 11th-worst turnover margin in college football at -6, forcing five turnovers (97th in the FBS) while turning it over 11 times (121st in the FBS).