The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Illinois Fighting Illini are two of the greatest midwest teams in the history of college football. They play for the Land of Lincoln Trophy, which is named for their state capital. Since 1909, when the trophy was first given, only three other teams have taken the trophy from Nebraska. The teams have met 96 times, with the most recent match-up taking place last year. The two teams are known for their fierce rivalry and incredible individual achievements. If you are a big fan of the game, then you’ll want to keep reading.
How Important Is Victory for Nebraska vs Illinois?
The rivalry between the Cornhuskers and Illini is famous for its intensity. Prior to the most recent game between the two, the teams had not met in the postseason in nearly 10 years. That game ended in a controversial fashion, as Nebraska scored a touchdown with only seconds left on the clock, then kicked the extra point to send the game to overtime. The final score was Nebraska 43, Illinois 42.
While it is always good for the home team to win any game, these teams are so obsessed with one another that even a narrow defeat still feels like a crushing blow. Despite the outcome of the last game, it was clear that both teams had a lot to play for in the season finale. With the whole country watching, the stakes were high.
Will This Year’s Matchup Be Any Different?
The last meeting between the two schools was one for the history books. Nebraska won the game 43-42, but the ending wasn’t what it seemed like. After Nebraska scored a touchdown with only seconds left on the clock, they were initially given the ball for an extra point. However, officials disallowed the touchdown and called for a sudden-death overtime.
This year’s match-up is set for Saturday, November 17 in Chicago. Unlike last year’s game, which was played in Lincoln, this year’s match will be held in the Big Ten Championship. Despite the loss of the trophy, which will be stored at Illinois for the foreseeable future, the teams have a chance to even the score again.
What is the Spread for Nebraska vs Illinois?
The betting lines for the game are posted online and have the teams’ total combined score listed as -3.5. The betting site states the over/under on the game is 44.5. As mentioned, Nebraska and Illinois have a long-standing history of excellence in all areas of the game and are considered to be among the best in the nation. The combined score of the two teams for 2018 was 123-104.
What Time Is the Match On?
The game kicks off at 3:00 p.m. CST and will be broadcasted on either ESPN (if there’s no late-breaking news) or ESPN2 (if there’s late-breaking news). If you’re looking for an appetizer before the game, there are a variety of restaurants near the stadium serving local food, including Husker Du Grills, Bennigan’s, and Subway. There will also be food trucks parked outside Illinois’ stadium, so fans can bring their own snacks.
The last time these two teams met was in December 2018. At that point, the spread was -10.5 points in favor of Nebraska and the over/under was set at 45 points. While the Fighting Illini are 14-0 against the spread in their last 14 matchups with Nebraska, the Cornhuskers are 9-2 against the spread in their last 11 games against Illinois. These numbers imply that the game is very likely to end in a tie.
One of the best things about sports is that they offer a chance for us to escape the realities of the day-to-day world. The outcomes of sporting events rarely change the course of history, and the results of games sometimes even have a direct impact on the quality of people’s lives. This is most evident in college football, where the results of so many games can change the course of a college career for the better or worse. Rivalry games in particular give us a chance to cheer for our favorite team while also expressing our distaste for the other. It might not sound like much to write about the outcome of a sporting event, but for some reason, watching games and rooting for teams gives us a sense of peace. Maybe it’s because we can shut off our phones and focus on the game without being distracted by our social media feeds. Whatever the reason, college football is a beautiful thing.