Oct. 02--TV/radio: 3 p.m. Saturday; BTN, WSCR-AM 670.
Line: Nebraska by 6.5.
Records: Nebraska 2-2, 0-0 Big Ten; Illinois 3-1, 0-0.
Last meeting: Nebraska won 45-14 on Sept. 27, 2014, in Lincoln, Neb.
On the offensive: QB Wes Lunt should take advantage of a weak Nebraska pass defense that ranks last in the country by allowing 379.5 ypg. Lunt is averaging 214 passing yards with a high of 316 against Western Illinois.
Getting defensive: The Illini must contain former Montini WR Jordan Westerkamp, who leads the Big Ten with 26 catches and has 351 yards (13.5 per catch). He had a career-high 11 receptions for 118 yards last week against Southern Miss.
The number: 3. Blocked kicks by Illinois -- two punts, both returned for TDs, and one field goal -- which is tied for the FBS lead.
The talk: Can the Illini start the Big Ten season on the right foot (for once)?
Shannon Ryan's pick: Illinois will keep it tight for a while, but the Illini will struggle to stop Nebraska's passing game. Nebraska 37, Illinois 24.
