Nebraska vs. Illinois prediction, odds, line: 2024 college football picks, Week 4 best bets from proven expert

The Friday college football schedule features a prime time matchup between undefeated Big Ten programs with the No. 24 Illinois Fighting Illini (3-0) traveling to Lincoln to take on the No. 22 Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-0). The Illini are coming off a 30-9 win over Central Michigan and have outscored their opponents by a combined 98-26 this season. The Huskers are coming off a solid 34-3 win over Northern Iowa and have outscored their three opponents this season by a combined score of 102-20. Nebraska leads the all-time series 14-6-1, including a 20-7 victory in 2023. 

Kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. The Huskers are favored by 7.5 points in the latest Illinois vs. Nebraska odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under is 42.5 points. Before making any Nebraska vs. Illinois picks, you need to see the Week 4 college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s Jimmie Kaylor. 

Kaylor is an NFL, college football and DFS expert for SportsLine, who has covered the NFL and college football for close to a decade as a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. His background as a former college football All-American and NFL player gives him a unique perspective when building his fantasy lineups and locking in his betting picks. He has his finger on the pulse of the college football landscape and has been cashing in big for the last two years. 

Kaylor destroyed the books in college football in 2023, netting a whopping 57.9 units while posting a 107-45-2 record. Anyone who followed his picks finished the season way up.

Now, Kaylor has dialed in on Nebraska vs. Illinois on Friday and just revealed his picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are the college football odds and betting lines on the spread, money line and over/under for Nebraska vs. Illinois:

• Illinois vs. Nebraska spread: Nebraska -7.5
• Illinois vs. Nebraska over/under: 42.5 points 
• Illinois vs. Nebraska money line: Nebraska -329, Illinois +255
• Illinois vs. Nebraska picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why Nebraska can cover

The Huskers have been dominant in their second season under head coach Matt Rhule. After two impressive victories to open the season, including a statement win over longtime rival Colorado, Nebraska made its way into the AP Top 25 for the first time in five years. The Huskers lived up to that billing last week in their 34-3 win over FCS foe Northern Iowa. 

The Huskers have been significantly better on both sides of the ball in Rhule’s second season in Lincoln. Nebraska ranks 23rd in the country in total yards allowed per game (255.3) and points allowed per game (6.7). Offensively, the Huskers have been led by heralded freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola, who may be the most talented passer the program has ever had. In three games, Raiola has thrown for 670 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. See which team to pick here. 

Why Illinois can cover

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is no stranger to big games. Bielema was the head coach at Wisconsin from 2006-2012 and at Arkansas from 2013-2017. During that time, Bielema coached the Badgers to three Rose Bowl appearances, two conference titles, and he has led his teams to numerous shocking upset victories. 

Like the Huskers, Illinois has been outstanding on the defensive side of the ball and efficient on the offensive side. The Illini are allowing 277.3 total yards per game and only 8.7 points per game. Offensively, quarterback Luke Altmyer has excelled, throwing for 647 yards and six touchdowns, while producing zero turnovers in three games. See which team to pick here. 

How to make Illinois vs. Nebraska picks

Kaylor has analyzed Nebraska vs. Illinois from every angle and he’s leaning Over on the point total. He has also discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He’s only sharing what it is, and which side to back, at SportsLine.

So who wins Nebraska vs. Illinois in Lincoln on Friday, and what critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the expert who profited $5,790 for $100 college football bettors in 2023, and find out.