Nebraska football vs. Illinois: Game preview

The game begins at 7 p.m. and will be televised on FOX.

1. Protect the ball: Illinois has produced the second-most turnovers of any team nationally (nine), and a commanding turnover margin is what has powered the Illini’s 3-0 start. If Nebraska can avoid turning the ball over, it’ll make Illinois have to work that much harder.

2. Establish the run: Nebraska has not yet needed to lean on its ground game for tough yards in crucial moments, but that might change this week. Sophomore Dante Dowdell has started the year strong as a tough runner, and he’ll be a big part of NU’s game plan this week.

3. Veteran pass-catchers: Quiet at times over Nebraska’s first three games, seniors Isaiah Neyor and Jahmal Banks make the Huskers’ passing offense tick. Neyor, a big-play threat over the top, and Banks’ route-running on the outside give quarterback Dylan Raiola big targets to aim for.

4. Play it smart: There will be opportunities for Nebraska to push the ball down the field, but slow and steady might be the way to go for the Huskers. After both teams had a limited number of possessions last weekend, making the most of the chances they get is imperative.

1. Feel the energy: Memorial Stadium should be rocking as Nebraska celebrates an all-time milestone and the Huskers face a ranked opponent on the field. Much like the Colorado game, where a raucous home crowd supported an early defensive surge, the Blackshirts can try to harness the buzz inside the stadium.

2. Contain Altmyer: Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer is not a prolific runner, but his ability to escape the pocket and scramble for yardage can hurt teams in crucial moments. Nebraska’s linebackers will be tasked with keeping an eye on Altmyer and not letting him convert third downs with his legs.

3. Stable secondary: With a pair of strong wide receivers with professional potential, Illinois’ passing attack can come alive at any moment. The entire Nebraska secondary, and especially cornerbacks Tommi Hill and Marques Buford, will be in for a four-quarter battle.

4. Impact up front: A high-powered pass rush has been a hallmark of Nebraska’s defensive success over the last two seasons. If the Huskers find themselves in the Illini backfield often, then their defensive plans will have worked.

74: First downs gained by Nebraska this season, the No. 11 mark nationally.

8.7: Points per game allowed by the Illinois defense.

100%: Opponents’ scoring rate when reaching the red zone against Illinois.

OL | No. 59 | Jr.: Having started at right guard last week, Lutovsky will remain in the same role with senior Micah Mazzccua set to miss a second consecutive game. Lutvosky’s strength as a run-blocker stands out.

LB | No. 18 | So.: One of Nebraska’s many impact pass rushers, Umanmielen is a Jack linebacker whose best moments have come on third downs. The sophomore is a dynamic athlete who’ll play a big role against Illinois.

Illinois’ run game against Nebraska’s defense

Rather than one dominant running back, Illinois has put forth more of a committee approach to the position this season. 150-plus yards on the ground per game is nothing to sneeze at, though, even as Illinois develops a stronger passing attack. If Nebraska can slow down Illinois on the ground, it could reveal some deficiencies of the Illini offense worth exploiting.

A real strength for Illinois in 2023, the loss of players like Jer’Zhan Newton to the NFL has set the Illini back up front. They did reload in the transfer portal and have rolled out a new-look defensive line, but its cohesion and productivity still trail far behind Nebraska. The Huskers’ strength up front continues to drive winning efforts.

A game that could be decided on the defensive side of the ball features strong units on both sides. A grind-it-out kind of game is possible, but both team’s quarterbacks also have the ability to transform how the night plays out. Illinois has proved itself to be a hard team to beat under head coach Bret Bielema, something which played out in Champaign last season. With quarterback Dylan Raiola’s continued high-level play and the overall strength of the Nebraska defense, the Huskers should have the edge in a tight contest.