Illinois vs. Nebraska Prediction, Odds, Picks for College Football Week 4

It's a battle of the top 25 in the Big Ten as Illinois visits Nebraska. It's time to continue our college football odds series with an Illinois-Nebraska prediction and pick.

Illinois comes into play this year with a 3-0 record. They started with an easy win over Eastern Illinois, winning 45-0. The next week they would face a higher ranked Kansas team at home. Illinois led 13-10 at halftime, but trailed 17-13 early in the fourth quarter. Kaden Feagin scored in the fourth quarter to put Illinois ahead, and they were able to turn a one-field deficit to 23-17. Then last week they beat Central Michigan 30-9.

Nebraska also has a 3-0 record this year. They have been dominant in that too. Nebraska started the year by playing UTEP, scoring 40 points and winning 40-7. The next week they faced Colorado. The defense was able to slow Colorado's offense, allowing only ten points and winning 28-10. Last week they faced Northern Iowa and won 34-3, increasing their record to 3-0.

Here are the college football odds, courtesy of FanDuel.

College Football Odds: Illinois-Nebraska Odds

Illinois: +8.5 (-115)

Money line: +245

Nebraska: -8.5 (-105)

Money line: -310

Over: 43.5 (-110)

Under: 43.5 (-110)

How to watch Illinois vs. Nebraska

Time: 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. PT

TV: FOX

Stream: fuboTV (Free Trial)

Why Illinois could cover/win the spread

Illinois' offense is led by Luke Altmyer. He has been solid this year, completing 69.2 percent of his passes, completing 54 of 78. He has rushed for 647 yards with six touchdowns this year. Altmyer has not thrown an interception, but has been sacked five times.

His top targets this year have been Pat Bryant and Zakhair Franklin. Bryant comes into the game with 15 pass catches for 235 yards and has scored four times. Franklin, meanwhile, has caught 16 passes for 193 yards but has not scored a point. Still, Illinois' offense is all about the running game. Kaden Feagin leads the way, carrying the ball 42 times for 173 yards and three touchdowns. Ca'Lil Valentine has also been solid with 17 carries for 96 yards. Josh McCray has the other running touchdown of the year, running 16 times for 67 yards and four scores.

Illinois ranks 22nd nationally in points allowed per game this year and 47th in opponent yards per game. They rank 87th in the running game, but 27th in the passing game. Miles Scott has been solid in the secondary. He has two passes defensed and two interceptions this year. Additionally, Xavier Scott has three interceptions, including one for a touchdown. Overall, Illinois has six interceptions and recovered three fumbles in three games.

Why Nebraska could cover/win the spread

Dylan Raiola has been Nebraska's best offensive player this year, completing 59 of 80 passes for a 73.8 percent completion rate. He has also thrown five touchdown passes this year. He has been sacked once and intercepted once this year.

His top target this year has been Isaiah Neyor. Neyor comes in with 12 catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, Jahmal Baks has seven catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. Rahmir Johnson has been a good pass receiver out of the backfield this year. He has caught ten passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. He has also run 22 times for 87 yards. Dante Dowdell has led the running game. Dowdell has 31 carries for 184 yards with three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Emmett Johnson has run 13 times for 124 yards and a touchdown this year.

Nebraska's defense has also been great this year. They are ninth in the nation in points allowed per game and tenth in yards allowed per game. They are first in the running game and 83rd in the passing game this year. Malcolm Hartzog has been solid for Nebraska this year. He has one pass defense and two interceptions this year. Nebraska has four interceptions this year and has recovered a fumble.

Final Illinois-Nebraska Prediction and Pick

Not only is Illinois 3-0, but they are 3-0 against the spread. Additionally, their defense has proven to be good, with the under scoring in all three games. Nebraska is also 3-0 against the spread, with the under scoring all three times as well. Nebraska's run defense has been amazing this year, but they have never played a run team as good as Illinois. Illinois will keep the ball on the ground in this game and slow the game down. Nebraska will win this game, but expect Illinois to keep it close. Take the Illini plus the points.

Final Illinois-Nebraska prediction and pick: Illinois +8.5 (-110)