Illinois Football: Three keys to victory against Nebraska

Illinois football needs to do these three things to beat Nebraska Saturday.

College football makes its official return this weekend with a slate of week zero games. Unlike the other teams on the slate, the Fighting Illini open this weekend with a conference game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Illinois football comes off a COVID plagued 2-6 season, which cost former head coach Lovie Smith his job. The Fighting Illini hired former Wisconsin and Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema as head coach this offseason.

Nebraska had another disappointing season under Scott Frost, finishing 3-5 last season. The Illini and the ‘Huskers clash high noon on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois is a seven-point home underdog this weekend.

This is despite the NCAA investigation looming over the head of both Scott Frost and the Nebraska Cornhuskers football program. Both teams come into this game needing this early win to help any hopes of playing in the postseason.

The Fighting Illini return more “super seniors” than any team in the country, including quarterback Brandon Peters. Though Peters is not dynamic, the Michigan transfer fits Bielema’s run-heavy, balanced offensive attack.

Can the Illini pull off the upset in their home opener? Here are three keys for an Illinois victory against the ‘Huskers.