Nebraska enters Big 10 play with an intriguing match-up against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Champaign, Illinois at 2:30 PM on the Big Ten Network.
Both teams enter Big 10 play coming off less than impressive non-conference slates. Nebraska is off to its worst start since 1981, as the Huskers have lost two games in heartbreaking fashion to Miami and BYU, and have struggled mightily with penalties and in pass defense. Illinois got off to a great start to its 2015 season outscoring their first two opponents 96-3, but the wheels fell off in an embarrassing 48-14 loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels. The next week, the Fighting Illini needed a 51 yard field goal from Taylor Zaleski as time expired to defeat Middle Tennessee State 27-25, a game in which the Illini allowed 330 passing yards to a Middle Tennessee State team led by true freshman Brent Stockstill. In this article we will compare the two team’s position groups as well as some intriguing individual matchups to look forward to this Saturday.
Nebraska Vs Illinois Preview
Quarterback
Saturday’s matchups features two of the more underrated quarterbacks in the Big 10. Junior Wes Lunt has finally managed to stay healthy for the Fighting Illini and has been a consistent producer for them, throwing for 856 yards and six touchdowns while throwing just two interceptions. While Lunt has been solid through 4 games, Armstrong has been spectacular, as the Junior leads the Big 10 with 1,266 yards passing and 12 touchdowns while throwing five interceptions. Armstrong also provides a running ability that Lunt does not provide, so Armstrong gets the edge.
Edge: Nebraska
Running Backs
Illinois running back Josh Ferguson has been one of the most underrated and versatile offensive weapons in the Big 10 the past three years. The Naperville, Illinois native has averaged 101 all-purpose yards per game this season and has accounted for four touchdowns. Ferguson is joined in the backfield by true freshman Ke’Shawn Vaughn, a highly touted recruit out of Antioch, Tennessee. He has rushed for 227 yards and two touchdowns so far this season. Junior Terrell Newby has emerged as Nebraska’s go-to back early in the season, rushing for 399 yards and three touchdowns through four games. Whiles he is averaging just under 100 yards rushing per game, he has struggled in three of the four games this season. He has only rushed for over 100 yards once this season against an overmatched South Alabama team. The X factor in this matchup is senior fullback Andy Janovich, who accounted for 121 yards of offense against Southern Miss and has the potential to be an exciting weapon for the remainder of the 2015 season.
Edge: Illinois
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Saturday will be an exciting match-up between the Big 10’s two most prolific receivers. Illinois boasts Geronimo Allison, who has caught 24 passes for 362 yards and a touchdown, while Nebraska boasts Jordan Westerkamp, who has caught 26 passes for 351 yards and four touchdowns. Where Nebraska begins to pull away from Illinois is at the number two, number three, and number four receiver spots. Nebraska’s Brandon Reilly, Stanley Morgan, and Alonzo Moore have emerged as consistent performers during the season, as all 3 have caught at least 11 passes and have all caught at least one touchdown. Illinois meanwhile, has only seen sophomore Munchie Murdock emerge as a consistent threat opposite of Geronimo Allison. Illinois has seen Tyler White emerge as a solid red zone target, catching two touchdowns thus far in 2015. Nebraska uses a rotation of tight ends, as Cethan Carter, Sam Cotton, and Trey Foster have all contributed as run blockers and in the pass game.
Edge: Nebraska
Offensive Line
The offensive line was supposed to be a major liability for the Fighting Illini in 2015, but has been solid through four games due to the emergence of Ted Karras as one of the best pass blockers in the nation. The Illinois offensive line has yet to allow a sack during the 2015 season, and has paved the way for a solid rushing attack. Nebraska was forced to reshuffle their offensive line due to the loss of three senior starters. Nebraska allowed three sacks in the season opener against BYU, but has allowed only two sacks since. Redshirt freshman Nick Gates is emerging as a future star at right tackle.
Edge: Even
Defensive Line
Both teams have seen their defensive lines hampered by injuries early in the season. Illinois lost Jihad Ward for two games due to an injury suffered during fall camp and Nebraska is still awaiting the return of Jack Gangwish and Vincent Valentine from injuries. A silver lining in all this is that Nebraska has found a future star at defensive end in redshirt freshman Freedom Akinmoladun, who leads Nebraska with six tackles for a loss and four sacks. Both teams have struggled to consistently get pressure on the passer, but Nebraska holds a major edge in defending the run, mainly due to the presence of Maliek Collins.
Edge: Nebraska
Linebackers
Illinois holds a major edge in experience, as TJ Neal and Mason Monheim are seasoned veterans that have been solid, if unspectacular early in the 2015 season. Nebraska, meanwhile, is simply trying to keep their linebackers healthy. Nebraska has yet to use the same three-man linebacker corps in consecutive games. Junior Middle Linebacker Josh Banderas is expected to return from a groin injury this Saturday, which will give Nebraska a badly needed boost in terms of experience.
Edge: Illinois
Secondary
Nebraska has the worst pass defense in college football in 2015, allowing 379.5 yards per game. It hasn’t been a quiet 379.5 either, as Nebraska has allowed multiple 20+ yard pass plays in all four games this season. Until Nebraska gets their secondary issues figured out and gets their corners mentally locked in, Nebraska will always be the lesser team in every match-up.
Edge: Illinois
Special Teams
Both Nebraska and Illinois boast kickers who have made 66% of their field goals so far this season and both made 50+ yard field goals last week. Nebraska holds the edge at the punter position, where Sam Foltz has arguably the strongest punting leg in the Big 10. If Demornay Pierson-El returns from injury, Nebraska will have a major edge in the return game. If not the return games will be relatively even.
Slight Edge: Nebraska
KEY MATCHUPS
Illinois Guard Ted Karras vs. Nebraska Defensive Tackle Maliek Collins
Maliek Collins was touted by many NFL Draft analysts as a potential first round draft pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, but through four games the junior from Kansas City has yet to live up to the hype, accounting for just seven tackles and zero sacks through four games. While the stats haven’t been great, Collins played his best game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, stuffing the run and freeing up Freedom Akinmoladun for two sacks. He appears poised to break out during Big 10 play, but his first conference game will be against the best pass blocking guard in the nation in Ted Karras. Karras has stabilized an offensive line that was expected to be a weakness in 2015, but he is tasked with his biggest challenge of the season in the ultra talented Collins.
Illinois Wide Receiver Geronimo Allison vs. Nebraska Cornerback Joshua Kalu
To call Joshua Kalu Nebraska’s best cornerback thus far in the season is a bit of a dubious honor. Perhaps it should be “least awful” instead of best. Kalu will likely be put across from Allison, who is currently third in the Big 10 in receiving yards and is Illinois’ most explosive receiving threat. Kalu needs to mentally recover from a rough outing against Southern Miss in which he was picked on for the majority of the fourth quarter and was unable to make the Giolden Eagles pay for it.
Nebraska Tackle Nick Gates vs. Illinois Defensive End Jihad Ward
Nick Gates has quietly put together one of the more impressive freshman seasons in the country, as the Las Vegas native has allowed just one sack this season and has steadily improved as a run blocker as the season has progressed. Gates will often be matched up one on one against Illinois’ top defensive player, senior defensive end Jihad Ward. If Gates has another solid outing, then it will be tough for the Fighting Illini to stop Nebraska’s prolific offense. If Ward can get consistent pressure, then there is a chance that they can get Tommy Armstrong out of sync and slow down the Husker offense.
FINAL CONCLUSION
This is an intriguing match-up between two teams that have showed impressive potential but have also demonstrated major flaws four games into the season. I believe that Nebraska’s advantages on the defensive line will ultimately give Nebraska the advantage, mainly because I think that this will be Maliek Collins’ breakout game of 2015. I think Illinois keeps it close through the first half, but Nebraska pulls away late for a 14 point victory.
Nebraska: 38
Illinois: 24
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