Resurgent No. 22 Nebraska, No. 24 Illinois conflict in Huge Ten opener

For the primary time since October 2011, No. 22 Nebraska and No. 24 Illinois discover themselves listed in the identical Related Press High 25 ballot. They will meet in a Huge Ten opener Friday night time in Lincoln, Neb., to resolve which group will get to remain there.

The Cornhuskers (3-0) are off to their greatest begin since 2016 — their most up-to-date bowl season — whereas the Illini are 3-0 for the primary time since 2011.

After cruising by their respective non-conference schedules, each groups will get a significantly better image of their may whereas they conflict in entrance of Nebraska’s four-hundredth consecutive house sellout.

“To have two huge groups ranked on a Friday night time recreation is somewhat bit uncommon,” mentioned Illinois coach Bret Bielema, who has his program within the polls for simply the second time within the final 13 years. “It would not occur on a regular basis. To see it play out and be part of it’s superior. Give quite a lot of credit score to their group and what they’ve achieved so far. I instructed our guys to proceed to maintain our focus, our mentality, and see the place it may go.”

The Huskers have three blowouts underneath their belt — they led at halftime towards UTEP, Colorado and Northern Iowa by a mixed rating of 79-10 — however head coach Matt Rhule hasn’t been overly impressed but.

“I feel any time you do not punt within the recreation, you’re feeling fairly good,” Rhule mentioned. “So I felt fairly good about what we did Saturday offensively (towards Northern Iowa). However that was all preseason to me. Now the season begins. We’ll discover out the place we’re. This shall be such a special problem enjoying towards these guys.”

The Illini enter Friday’s recreation tied for second nationally in turnover margin (+8) and tied for fifth in turnovers compelled (9). Defensive again Xavier Scott is considered one of 4 FBS gamers with at the least 3 interceptions by three video games, and he has compelled 4 turnovers general.

However Scott and firm have not confronted a passer like Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola. Even on the uncommon events when the cross rush has compelled him to improvise, the five-star freshman has appeared unflappable whereas finishing 73.8 p.c of his passes for 670 yards, 5 touchdowns and only one interception.

“He brings a special ingredient instantly,” Bielema mentioned. “He is a really proficient younger man that is bought an incredible deep ball throw. They maximize him fairly nicely. There’s some issues you’ll be able to actually see him get higher on each collection — simply very spectacular to see.”

Rhule appears desperate to learn the way Raiola will deal with an Illinois group that ranks twelfth nationally in cross effectivity protection (an 87.98 ranking versus Raiola’s 162.22).

“They’ve altered quite a lot of what they’re doing,” mentioned Rhule, noting how Illinois second-year defensive coordinator Aaron Henry has been utilizing extra disguises this season. “They will present man and play Cowl 2. They will present man and play zone. With a younger quarterback, he is bought to acknowledge as a result of they do not present it to you. He is bought to acknowledge zone on the snap. They usually’re taking the ball away at a excessive stage.”

On the flip facet, Bielema needs to see his dashing assault be extra dependable. The Illini’s quartet of backs have been passable (153.3 yards per recreation), however Illinois hasn’t confronted something just like the Huskers’ protection, which surrenders simply 2.5 yards per carry and 70.3 dashing yards per recreation.

“If we’ll win within the Huge Ten, we’ll need to run the ball in sure conditions,” Bielema mentioned. “I feel the best definition of a group is a group that may run the ball successfully once they wish to run it towards good competitors.”

–Subject Degree Media