ESPN’s Steve Stanford predicts the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Nebraska football game

ESPN college football analyst «Stanford» Steve Coughlin was a guest Friday on the «McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning» show with Greg McElroy and Cole Cubelic.

The trio discussed Friday night’s Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Nebraska Cornhusker football game.

«I have a real hard time handicapping this game,» McElroy said. «I think it’s going to be a low-scoring game, so to lay north of a touchdown with Nebraska against Illinois feels challenging.»

Nebraska was a 9-point favorite against the Illinois Fighting Illini, according to ESPN Bet as of 4:26 p.m. CT on Friday.

ESPN’s «Stanford» Steve picks Illinois vs. Nebraska football

«I really want to see what Illinois brings to the table, Greg,» Coughlin said. «I love (Illinois football coach Bret) Bielema in these kind of spots. But it’s hard with Nebraska. I get it. Everyone wants to see them back where they were. … Watching them, they’re obviously improved more than anybody in the country on the offensive and defensive sides. The problem is defensively they haven’t played the best offenses. And Illinois is not the best, but they’ll have a good plan coming into Nebraska. It’s just a matter of — when you get Nebraska in these spots in the last couple of years, what’s been the problem? Turnovers on offense and then the lack of credibility on defense.

«I believe they’re improved, but I kind of think it’s too many points, though. I like what Illinois brings to the table,» Coughlin continued. «I thought it was an impressive win beating Kansas — one of the toughest luck teams to start the season. … I think Illinois is the play tonight getting more than a touchdown. I think I agree with you: low scoring, both teams want to establish the run, and (Nebraska quarterback Dylan) Raiola — what does he do against a formidable opponent? That’s what we’ll see, and I’m really excited for that matchup.»