College football captivates us for many reasons. But, that feeling when the first game of the season finally rolls around?
Yeah, that’s up there. And in these parts, it packs an extra punch. The Huskers open their 2021 schedule with a Week 0 game on the road against Big Ten West foe Illinois.
Let us know if we’re wrong, but the stakes feel higher than usual for a season opener.
Watching from home? Follow along with us for live reaction, commentary, analysis, videos, photos and more from Champaign.
The essentials
Time: 12:20 p.m. Saturday
TV: FOX
Radio: Husker Sports Network or KLIN (1400 AM)
From press row
NU-Illinois pregame observations: Personnel notes and triple-digit temperatures
The links
Steven M. Sipple: Martinez’s wisdom and poise could be key in intense opener of unknowns
‘Make it about us’: Pressure is on the Blackshirts to get Nebraska off to a fast start vs. Illinois
Game On: Storylines, players and matchups to watch (plus a prediction) for Huskers vs. Illini
Steven M. Sipple: You may have missed it, but Frost’s ‘mission statement’ strikes right chord
Scouting Illinois: Breaking down the Illini
Life in the Red Hot Topic: What does it look like if Nebraska loses at Illinois?
Nebraska-Illinois predictions and random over/unders: The Journal Star staffers make their picks
