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The Big Red opened up early betting lines as eight-point favorites over No. 24 rated Illinois for their Friday night matchup at Memorial Stadium.

The Cornhuskers' 3-0 start has vaulted the Big Red into both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Top 25 polls, placing Nebraska at No. 22. Illinois enters Friday's contest at 3-0, having taken down Eastern Illinois 45-0, then-No. 19 Kansas 23-17, and Central Michigan 30-9 .

The Illini have covered in each game this season, but each contest has hit the under in total points scored. Nebraska currently averages 34 points per game, while Illinois averaged nearly 33. The Huskers are in the Top 10 in the country for points allowed per contest at 8½ points per game, while Illinois averages 13.

The Big Red and Illini will kick off Friday in Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m. CDT, with television coverage on FOX.

Really hate Friday college football.   Just messes with lifetime habits.     

I am looking forward to this one!

Too bad Big Ten West is not still around.  I think Nebraska and Illinois were the only teams to never at least tie for first in the old West.   This could have been the year. 

UCLA, USC, Washington, & Oregon would have given a bit of zest to the "West" in Big Ten West

we'll never know

First look at Illinois, plus a prediction
By Chris Peterson
This will be the most difficult test so far this season for Nebraska on both sides of the ball. Luke Atlmyer is playing really well at quarterback for the Fighting Illini and has six touchdown passes compared to zero interceptions. Illinois is rushing for 153 yards per game and passing for 225. They have also beaten a top-25 opponent with their win over Kansas two weeks ago.

Bret Bielema’s team is also playing well defensively. It’s a ball-hawking secondary with six interceptions in three games. Dylan Railola has thrown one in three games for the Huskers and that shouldn’t have been intercepted. The pass rush of Illinois has 4.5 sacks in three games, which should bode well for the Huskers.

The Fighting Illini also allow 4.2 (rushing) yards per carry. Yet, like Nebraska, they have allowed just eight points per game this season so two of the best scoring defenses will be on display.

As far as the early prediction against the spread: give me the Huskers again. Nebraska is 3-0 against the spread and I am 3-0 picking against the spread this season. So why not stick with what works?

Illinois will be forced to be one-dimensional and Altmyer will throw his first interception. Raiola will play a clean game and Nebraska will kick a few field goals in a 23-14 win.

Huskers favored by 9 points?  I think this is going to be a closer game than that.   Rhule better make sure Raiola's head is screwed on right for this game.