Sep. 19, 2024 06:18 AM EST

No. 22 Nebraska Hosts Its First Top 25 Matchup Since 2013 When No. 24 Illinois Visits

By The Associated Press
Nebraska players run onto the field before playing Northern Iowa in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) Rebecca S. Gratz, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Nebraska players run onto the field before playing Northern Iowa in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Illinois players celebrate the team's 23-17 upset win over Kansas after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
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No. 24 Illinois (3-0) at No. 22 Nebraska (3-0), Friday, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Nebraska by 8 1/2.

Series record: Nebraska leads 14-6-1.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

These teams have aspirations higher than the expectations set for them in the preseason. They are having similar seasons so far. Illinois is out to its best start since 2011 and owns a win over a then-ranked Kansas. Nebraska is off to its best start since 2016 and soundly beat Colorado in a rivalry game two weeks ago. Each team has allowed just two touchdowns. Quarterbacks Luke Altmyer of the Illini and Dylan Raiola have nearly identical numbers. This will be Nebraska's first home game matching Top 25 teams since 2013.

KEY MATCHUP

Illinois receivers vs. Nebraska cornerbacks. Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin are big-play threats who will challenge Tommi Hill and Marques Buford Jr. The Illini have 10 pass plays of at least 20 yards. The Huskers will be committed to stopping the run and keeping the mobile Altmyer from getting loose, which means Hill and Buford often will be in one-on-one coverage.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Illinois: RB Kaden Feagin, at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, will be the second straight jumbo-sized ball carrier the Huskers will face. Northern Iowa's 6-4, 230-pound Tye Edwards ran for 37 yards against the Huskers last week. Feagin became an important part of the Illini offense during the conference season in 2023 and is averaging 58 yards per game through three games in a system that uses three or four running backs.

Nebraska: Raiola has lived up to his billing as a five-star recruit so far. The stakes become higher now. He's showed maturity beyond his years in his understanding of offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield's system. He's completed 74% of his passes, averaging 223 yards per game through the air and has thrown for five TDs against one interception.

FACTS & FIGURES

This will be Nebraska's 400th consecutive sellout, an ongoing NCAA record. ... Illinois has its highest ranking since Nov. 6, 2022, when it was No. 21. ... The Huskers have outscored three opponents by a combined 51-0 in the second quarter. In 2023, Nebraska was outscored 81-66 in the second quarter. ... Nebraska has allowed just one first-quarter touchdown in its past 10 games. ... Illinois CB Xavier Scott has three interceptions the past two games, including a pick-6, and he’s the only player in the nation to force three turnovers in a game (vs. Kansas).

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