Lovie Smith is one of my least favorite college coaches. But he has skill position talent with Isaiah Williams and Chase Brown. Mike Epstein is a reliable running back, too. The Illini ran for 337 yards against Rutgers last week. Nebraska's defense ranks 97th in run defense. 

The Cornhuskers are better offensively than they've shown. They've had the misfortune of opening against Ohio State and Northwestern, who have two of the best defenses in the Big 10. 

There were 80 points scored in last year's game between the two teams and 89 points produced when the teams met two years ago. 

Weather shouldn't be a problem with the forecast calling for temperatures in the 40's, 20 percent chance of rain and nine mile per hour wind.