3 game-changing players in the Illinois football game against Nebraska

A huge game for the Illinois football program is just days away, and we need to be ready for a tough Nebraska program.

The Cornhuskers have one of their best teams in the past decade, and they will come at the Illini with everything they have. This game is in Lincoln as well, so that is another tough element.

Throughout the game, there will be some moments that can change momentum one way or another. There are some players who can make these game-changing moments. If these players step up, their team will succeed. If they don’t play well, it could be a long day.

Here are three game-changing players in the Illinois football game against Nebraska

1. CB Tommi Hill

Illinois is hitting the upgrade button on the competition, as we are facing a tough Nebraska program this Friday. What makes the Cornhuskers so tough?

The defense.

Nebraska has a solid defense that has been led by cornerback, Tommi Hill. Hill took over the starting job at cornerback this season, and he hasn’t disappointed. Through three games, he has 12 tackles and an interception.

The interception came against the Colorado Buffaloes. Some consider Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders one of the top playmakers in the country, but Hill helped lead the charge in holding Sanders to just 244 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. That was Hill’s interception that went for a touchdown.

This season, Hill has been phenomenal. He currently has a grade of 82.6 on Pro Football Focus, which ranks No. 16 out of 736 cornerbacks in all of college football.

Illinois is now going to face Hill this Friday. How can we get around this talented cornerback? I think the first step is balance.

Colorado didn’t bring a balanced attack to their game against Nebraska. The Buffaloes only ran the ball 14 times with someone other than Sanders. That let Nebraska fall back and play the pass most of the game.

Illinois has the horses to have a much more balanced attack against the Cornhuskers. We can throw multiple solid running backs at them, and then Luke Altmyer can hit Zakhari Franklin along the sidelines.