Nebraska vs. Illinois Prediction, CFB Week 10 Odds & Best Bets (11/6)

Fact checked at 8:00 AM ET, Nov 6, 2026

Odds as of 7:29 AM ET, Nov 6, 2026

Nebraska visits Illinois at 8:00 PM ET at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign, with both teams at 5-3. Illinois has won three straight Big Ten games by a combined 15 points, the last a 20-17 win at Maryland on a field goal as time expired. Nebraska has lost three in a row by seven points or fewer: 20-17 to Indiana, 17-14 at Oregon and 17-10 to Washington. Nebraska is a 4.5-point road favorite and the total sits at 50.5. Another one-score game looks likely, and that kind of game keeps both quarterbacks throwing and keeps Illinois handing off. Anthony Colandrea and Katin Houser both get to their passing numbers, and freshman Javari Barnett gets his share of the carries.

Both quarterbacks are expected to start. Houser is back from a broken throwing hand and carries no injury designation, and Colandrea is still Nebraska's starter after a three-interception night against Washington. The forecast calls for clear skies, about 40 degrees at kickoff and a light north wind, so the weather shouldn't slow either passing game.

Nebraska vs. Illinois Predictions

• Pick #1: Javari Barnett 15+ Rushing Yards (-169)
• Pick #2: Anthony Colandrea 200+ Passing Yards (-194)
• Pick #3: Katin Houser 190+ Passing Yards (-183)

PICK #1: Javari Barnett 15+ Rushing Yards (-169)

The Maryland game showed what one carry can do. Barnett ran for 80 yards on six carries, 64 of them on a touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter.

He has reached 15 rushing yards in four of his five appearances this season: 50 against Southern Illinois (an FCS opponent), 22 at Michigan State, 27 against Oregon and 80 at Maryland. The miss came at Ohio State, where he got two carries in a 42-19 loss. Against FBS teams he's three for four. Ca'Lil Valentine is out again on the Big Ten's latest availability report, so the work goes to Aidan Laughery, Jordan Anderson and Barnett, and Barnett has had six carries in each of the last two games.

Volume is his problem. He's the third back, his carries have ranged from two to eight, and he didn't get a carry in three of Illinois' eight games. If Illinois falls well behind and has to throw, as it did in Columbus, his touches dry up. In a close game Illinois keeps running, and he needs only a few decent carries to beat a price that implies a 62.8% chance.

PICK #2: Anthony Colandrea 200+ Passing Yards (-194)

Colandrea has thrown for 200 or more in six of eight games, and six of seven against FBS opponents. The two misses: 195 against North Dakota, an FCS team, in a 34-7 win, and 164 at Oregon.

Losing hasn't hurt his yardage. He threw for 264 against Indiana on 43 attempts and 255 against Washington on 44, and both games were decided by a touchdown or less. Close games have put the ball in his hands more. The interceptions are a real problem, five over the last three games, and Illinois' defense has been better lately.

At -194 you're paying for a 66.0% chance, which is steep. His legs could get in the way. Matt Rhule said this week he wants Colandrea in the quarterback run game, and he's had 10 or more carries in four of his last five games, which can mean fewer drop-backs. He still threw for 200 in three of those four, and a one-score game keeps him throwing late.

PICK #3: Katin Houser 190+ Passing Yards (-183)

Houser has thrown for 190 or more in six of his seven games: 271 against Duke, 305 against Southern Illinois (FCS), 263 at Ohio State, 225 against Purdue, 194 at Michigan State, the game where he broke his hand, and 223 at Maryland in his return. The only miss was 182 in the opener against UAB, when he threw just 17 passes in a 42-23 win.

At -183, the implied chance is 64.7%. He has Collin Dixon, who has 60 catches for 781 yards and 10 touchdown catches, tying the Illinois single-season record, and he's been sacked only six times in seven games.

He's one game back from surgery on his throwing hand and completed 18 of 32 at Maryland. A big Illinois lead would also shift the work to the backs. Like the other two bets, this one wants the game close.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.