As we head into NCAAF Week 4, it’s hard to contain the excitement with the battle between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Nebraska Cornhuskers scheduled at Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium. There’s plenty to play for as both teams head into Friday night’s action boasting a 3-0 record, and it’s all set for a great battle. This game has the makings of a classic, as the two teams will be forced to adapt to each other’s offense and defense as they try to keep their perfect start. With that, our NCAAF daily winning picks will take a closer look into the factors and possibilities of the duel, key figures to follow, and betting perspectives.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers 9/19/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Friday, September 19, 2024, at 8:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium |
| TV: | FOX |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Illinois Fighting Illini (3-0) vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-0)
For the Illinois Fighting Illini, the most effective offensive threat remains the ground game, and Julio Foolas receives the horde to tame inside twenty to Henry establishing ground. Kaden Feagin stands out thanks to his great moving ability from the inside, as he has had 42 carries for 173 yards with 3 touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards a carry. Alongside rush development, the significance of pressure is shown in today’s game for San Jose St vs Washington State when the passing attack is highly dismantled after plowing through with too much ground. Similarly, Pat Bryant also performed well on the receiving end after catching 15 passes with a yardage and 4 touchdowns, averaging 15.7 power to the ball. His effectiveness and tendency to extend the field are more than an annoyance for aggressors; they allow parts of the strategy to expand in Ohio State’s varsity offense.
On the other hand, the state of Nebraska possesses a strong blend of rushing and receiving. Led by Dante Dowdell, who has gained 184 yards on 31 attempts with 3 touchdowns and an average of 5.9 yards so far, his team has illustrated the rushing game is very promising. This showcases the convincing defenses similar to what was portrayed today in the Stanford vs Syracuse match. Such rushing schemes will invariably ensure that no nagging pressure is applied to the cagers since the teams will have the ability to dictate the pace of the game. At receiver, Isaiah Neyor recorded 12 receptions, 187 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns, and an average of 15.6 yards per reception. The available body of evidence suggests that due to the lack of such players, the development of the Cornhuskers offense is still very much dependent on Nolan, and all composed in the passing game.
Luke Altmyer QB vs. Dylan Raiola QB
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer has been on fire, completing 54 out of 78 passes for 647 yards and a stellar 69.2 completion percentage. Six of these successfully found his targets, with none intercepted, leading to a passer rating of 164.3. Although Altmyer has long throws that help to provide offensive stability, getting sacked five times shows the need to improve on protection in order to remain efficient. Containing these abilities and using them effectively at the right time can greatly contribute to the tempo of Illinois’ offense.
Dylan Raiola leads the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who also has equally petrifying statistics in 59 completions out of 80 attempts, converting to 670 yards passing. Compiling 73.8% accuracy and making five touchdown passes and only one interception means Raiola has mastered the game and the surrounding circumstances quite well. Not only was he able to produce a passer rating of 162.2 while rarely being sacked, but he also proved that he could navigate through the pocket and make good use of opportunities where coverage let up – proving beneficial in keeping Cornhuskers offense fat and happy.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Nebraska -9.5, Total Odds: 43.5
Nebraska enters as the -9.5 favorite, bringing forth expectations of leveraging their home-field advantage and cohesive gameplay. With the total odds marked at 43.5, a moderately tight-scored affair is projected. These odds denote not only the defensive prowess both teams possess but also how crucial tactical execution will underpin impending scoring opportunities for both Illinois and Nebraska.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends
Illinois flaunts favorable trends, going 5-2 SU in recent games and 11-3 ATS while on the road, asserting their competitive strength in away matches. Despite mixed successes against Nebraska, Illinois’ proficiency ATS (4-1 in the last five encounters) suggests resilience that could surprise expectations, even against a historically challenging opponent such as the Cornhuskers.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Betting Trends
The Cornhuskers demonstrate a compelling SU record, maintaining strong form with 4-2 in their recent home clashes against Illinois. While their ATS performance shows variability, Nebraska’s ability to conduct games under total predictions highlights their consistency in managing game flow, aligning with their recent 5 of 5 underruns at home, reinforcing their competitive edge within known confines.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers 9/19/24 Betting Picks
Based on these analyses, Nebraska’s entrenched home-field dominance and overall depth provide a slight advantage. They’re equipped to apply persistent pressure and limit Illinois through tactical dominance.
That said, given each team’s respective capabilities, considering top premium picks can enhance choice accuracy, with emphasis potentially placed on Nebraska covering the spread alongside exploring nuanced prop bets and total unders aligning with both teams’ defensive measures.