About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The University of Illinois football team has rattled off three straight victories and suddenly finds itself fifth in the Big Ten Conference race.
Bowl talk is back in the conversation for the Fighting Illini, who move into a prime time game Friday night to host a struggling Nebraska squad at Gies Memorial Stadium.
Illinois is 5-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play, with the Big Ten's second-longest active win streak.
They'll try to stretch that streak against a Nebraska team that has lost three straight and is 5-3 overall and 2-3 in conference.
Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Katin Houser (4) runs with the ball during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. When is the Illinois vs Nebraska football game? Illinois (5-3, 3-2) is at home against Nebraska (5-3, 2-3) at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.
Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker James Kreutz (10) celebrates during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Who is the broadcast crew for Illinois vs Nebraska? Play-by-play: Brian Barnhart
For Friday night, Nov. 6, in Champaign, Illinois: Temperature expected to be 44 degrees at kickoff. Chance of rain 0%. Wind north-northwest at 7 mph.
Illinois Fighting Illini running back Javari Barnett (24) scores a touchdown during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. What to know about Illinois vs. Nebraska football ◾Illini receiver Collin Dixon one of only five players in the nation to rank in the top 12 in receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, along with Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State), Malachi Toney (Miami), Umari Hatcher (Syracuse), and Easton Messer (FAU). Dixon is fourth in the nation in receiving touchdowns (10), behind Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith, Oregon State's Jesse Legree, and Miami's Malachi Toney. He tied Illinois' single-season record with 10 receiving touchdowns this season.
◾Javari Barnett had a career-high 80 yards on six carries at Maryland, including a game-changing 64-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter. It is the longest touchdown run by a Big Ten freshman this season.
' 26 pressures ranks sixth in the Big Ten, according to PFF.
◾The Illini got veteran starting quarterback Katin Houser back from surgery to repair a broken throwing hand, and he was 18 of 32 passing for 223 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT.
Illinois and Notre Dame announced a two-game contract this week that will make them opponents on the football field for the first time in 59 years. The Illini and Irish will play in South Bend on Sept. 4, 2027 before meeting in Champaign on Sept. 2, 2028.
"This is a series I have wanted to get on the football schedule since I arrived in 2016," said Illinois director of athletics
. "It has been too long since these two tradition-rich programs have met, given our proximity, common values, and deep roots in Chicago and throughout the Midwest. We expect to see a lot of Orange and Blue next year in South Bend and believe the 2028 matchup in Champaign will be one of our most anticipated home games in decades. Thank you to Notre Dame ... for helping to make this exciting series a reality."
The only way for fans to guarantee 2028 season tickets, which include the Notre Dame game in Champaign, is to purchase 2027 season tickets.
Illinois and Notre Dame have met 12 times, last competing on the gridiron at Notre Dame Stadium in 1968 as part of a two-year home-and-home. Nine of the matchups in the all-time series came during a 10-year stretch from 1937-1946 after the two teams first played in 1898.
The Notre Dame series replaces Missouri on Illinois' 2027 and 2028 schedules.
In addition to the Notre Dame game, Illinois has added FIU to the schedule on Aug. 28, 2027. The Illini will no longer play Eastern Illinois in 2027.● Illinois 2027 Home Games: FIU (Aug. 28), Delaware (Sept. 11), Indiana, Northwestern, Penn State, UCLA, Wisconsin.
● Illinois 2027 Road Games: at Notre Dame (Sept. 4), at Michigan, at Minnesota, at Purdue, at USC.
Nebraska 24, Illinois 21: Nebraska has lost its last three games by a total of 13 points. It has become a Huskers program legacy, with 53 one-score losses during college football's playoff era. This is a crucial game for Illinois in its bowl candidacy. They need to get their sixth win right here, because they are likely going to be underdogs in their final three games that follow. Katin Houser was below 60% completion rate in his first game back from surgery on a broken hand, and hopefully gets sharper. Nebraska ranks 28th on the Sagarin ratings, while Illinois is at 42. ESPN says Illinois has a 72.5% chance to reach six wins. — Dave Eminian
Illinois 21, Nebraska 14: Illinois plays the first of back-to-back Friday night games. The Fighting Illini are on a three-game win streak, securing their latest victory thanks to a walk-off field goal last week against Maryland. Quarterback Katin Houser (hand) was back and threw for 223 yards, leading Illinois on a 13-play, 67-yard game-winning drive. Nebraska is riding a three-game losing streak, having scored no more than 17 points in a game during this span. The Huskers, however, have won three of the last four meetings in Champaign. QB Anthony Colandrea has thrown for 1,825 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, finding wideout Kwazi Gilmer for 42 catches and 545 yards and seven scores. — Adam Duvall
Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Michael Clayton II (7) looks to pass during the second half against the Oregon Ducks at Gies Memorial Stadium. Illinois vs Nebraska odds The betting lines for the Illinois-Nebraska game, as of Thursday morning, Nov. 5, 2026 on BetMGM .
Money line: Nebraska -190. Illinois +160.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois vs Nebraska: Predictions, how to watch, what to know about college football duel
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