Nebraska Football: 5 most winnable games on 2021 schedule

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Adrian Martinez #2 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers runs the ball during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Winnable Games for Nebraska Football – No. 2: Illinois Fighting Illini

Nebraska opens their 2021 season against Illinois on Aug. 28 and it’s a good Week 1 opponent for them because they should be able to take down the Fighting Illini, even with the game taking place in Champaign. This matchup was supposed to take place in Ireland but unfortunately, that couldn’t happen due to the pandemic.

The Huskers lost an ugly matchup to Illinois last season in which Luke McCaffrey threw three interceptions, giving way to Martinez to step in and try to salvage the game. It was a blowout loss for Nebraska and they’ll look to get back on track and being the better team.

Starting the season 1-0 is highly important for Nebraska. If they win this game, they’ll have two winnable games after this and the opportunity to start the season 3-0 is there for the taking. It’d be their best start under Frost.

Illinois had the second-worst total offense and total defense last year, averaging just 20.1 points per game while surrendering 34.9 points per game. That’s something the Huskers need to take advantage of.

The Fighting Illini have been able to keep up with Nebraska in recent years but the Cornhuskers are the better team here and they need to act like it when this game takes place in a few months.

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