Illinois

Nebraska vs. Illinois football FREE STREAM: How to watch today

Published

2 years ago

September 20, 2024

Nebraska vs. Illinois football FREE STREAM: How to watch today

LINCOLN, Nebraska – Rising programs in the Big Ten collide as the No. 22 Nebraska Cornhuskers host the No. 24 Illinois Fighting Illini today – Friday, Sept. 20 – at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. This NCAA football game is available on multiple streaming services for free.

The matchup will broadcast live on FOX at 8 p.m. Eastern. (7 p.m. Central). Fans without cable can catch the game at no cost via FuboTV or DirecTV Stream, which both offer free trials. FuboTV is offering a special $30 discount off your first month too.

Another option is SlingTV, which has promotional offers for new customers.

Guided by head coach Matt Rhule, the Cornhuskers (3-0) continue to roll through the season with a beaming confidence that this year is different.

The revival is spearheaded by five-star freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola, who continues to grow into his own. Raiola has notched 670 yards and five touchdowns while giving up one interception. He has a 73.8% completion percentage.

Sophomore running back and Oregon transfer Dante Dowdell has tallied 31 carries for 184 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore Emmett Johnson, senior Rahmir Johnson and junior Gabe Ervin have combined for 244 yards and three touchdowns.

Allowing just 20 points all season, the defense has been a consistent strength. After terrorizing Colorado two weeks ago, the Cornhuskers smothered Northern Iowa 34-3. That’s even when the Panthers had a 38:07-21:53 time of possession advantage.

The Cornhuskers secondary will be tested in this one. They have relinquished two touchdowns thus far this season. The defense is allowing just 6.7 points per game while garnering nine sacks and five turnovers.

Nebraska finished their nonconference schedule without a loss for the first time since 2016.

It’s the first game between two ranked opponents at Memorial Stadium in over a decade. Nebraska has lost their last 12 matchups against ranked opponents. The historic venue will be celebrating its 400th consecutive sellout.

Watch Nebraska vs. Illinois on FuboTV for free

The Fighting Illini (3-0) are off to a strong campaign in Bret Bielema’s fourth year at the helm. It’s their first 3-0 start since 2011 and the first time in 16 years they get to be part of a ranked vs. ranked matchup. They have a key road win against No. 19 Kansas under their belt and are coming off a victory over Central Michigan last week.

Like Nebraska, Illinois is dreaming big, especially with the playoff doors widening. But a meaty Big Ten schedule will provide a dose of reality.

It all comes as somewhat of a surprise after the Fighting Illinois lost a boatload of talent, including three of its four leading receivers and Nagurski-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Jer’Zhan Newton.

The Fighting Illinois are led by junior quarterback Luke Altmyer, who has amassed 648 yards and six touchdowns with a 68% completion rate. He averages 8.1 yards per pass and can fly out of the pocket when needed.

His favorite target, senior Pat Bryant, has hauled in 235 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 15.7 yards per reception. Ole Miss senior transfer Zakhari Franklin has 16 receptions for 193 yards.

The ground game is guided by sophomore Kaden Feagin, who has taken over the reins with 42 carries for 173 yards and three touchdowns. The offensive line is bolstered by three returning starters, including senior Zy Crisler and junior Josh Gesky.

In total, the offense is averaging 32.7 points per game.

Defensively, the Fighting Illini have only allowed two touchdowns in three games. They have also forced nine turnovers in that span, which is the second-most in the Big Ten. They allow a stingy 8.7 points per game.

Junior linebacker Dylan Rosiek, last year’s leading tackler, has 14 tackles and a forced fumble. Senior defensive lineman and Florida State transfer Dennis Briggs Jr. has tallied 13 tackles and three tackles for loss.

Junior defensive backs Miles Scott and Xavier Scott have snatched a combined five interceptions in three games.

It’s the second consecutive year these two teams will play each other on Friday night. The Cornhuskers snapped a three-game losing streak to the Fighting Illini last year. Nebraska has been no stranger to the solo spotlight, tallying five Friday night conference games since 2017.

Nebraska leads the all-time series 14-6-1.

Watch Nebraska vs. Illinois for free on DirecTV Stream

Who is announcing Nebraska vs. Illinois?

Tim Brando (play-by-play) and Devin Gardner (analyst) will be the announcers while Josh Sims reports from the sidelines.

What are the latest odds for Nebraska vs. Illinois?

Spread: NEB: (-8), Ill: (+8)

Moneyline: NEB: (-325), Ill: (+260)

Point total: 43

Odds from DraftKings

Here’s more information on how to watch this game on TV and streaming services.

What: College football: Nebraska vs. Illinois

When: Friday, Sept. 20, 2024

Time: 8 p.m. Eastern (7 p.m. Central)

Where: Memorial Stadium | Lincoln, Nebraska

Channel: FOX

Best streaming options: FuboTV (free trial and $30 off first month), DirecTV Stream (free trial) and Sling TV ($10 off first month)

Cable Channel Finder: AT&T U-Verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon Fios

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Illinois

Illinois vs Iowa prediction, analysis, Elite Eight expert picks for men’s March Madness

Published

4 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Illinois vs Iowa prediction, analysis, Elite Eight expert picks for men’s March Madness

The men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament continues with Elite Eight action Saturday with No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 9 Iowa on the two-game schedule.

USA TODAY Sports’ college basketball experts have analyzed all the angles and determined a path to victory for each side. Here’s everything you need to know before the Elite Eight matchup tips off.

USA TODAY has a team of journalists covering the men’s NCAA Tournament to keep you up to date with every point scored, rebound grabbed and game won in the 68-team tournament.

Illinois will win Elite Eight game vs Iowa if…

John Leuzzi: It replicates what it did defensively against Houston.
Jordan Mendoza: It controls the interior.
Ehsan Kassim: Wagler can win the matchup against Stirtz.
Austin Curtright: If its defense plays like it did against Houston.

Iowa will win Elite Eight game vs Illinois if…

John Leuzzi: It limits Illinois on offensive rebounds, and second chance opportunities.
Jordan Mendoza: it’s knocking down 3-pointers.
Ehsan Kassim: Hawkeyes can make the game slower paced and Illinois misses shots.
Austin Curtright: Its bench contributors of Alvaro Folgueiras, Tate Sage and others continue their strong play.

Illinois vs Iowa: 1 Stat to watch

John Leuzzi: Bennett Stirtz vs. Keaton Wagler at the point guard battle.
Jordan Mendoza: 3-point shot.
Ehsan Kassim: Illinois 3-point shooting.
Austin Curtright: Illinois’ defense has been outstanding in the NCAA Tournament, despite ranking outside the top 20 in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency.

Illinois vs Iowa Elite Eight prediction

John Leuzzi: Iowa
Jordan Mendoza: Illinois
Ehsan Kassim: Illinois
Austin Curtright: Illinois

3 Illinois vs 9 Iowa

Opening Moneyline: Illinois (-275), Iowa (+227)
Opening Spread: Illinois (-6.5)
Opening Total: 139.5

How to Watch Illinois vs Iowa in the Elite Eight

No. 3 Illinois takes on No. 9 Iowa at Toyota Center on March 28 at 6:09 PM The game is airing on TBS.

Stream March Madness on Sling

2026 Men’s March Madness full schedule

See the schedule, live scores and results for all of the NCAA Tournament action here.

March 17-18: First Four
March 19-20: First Round
March 21-22: Second Round
March 26-27: Sweet 16
March 28-29: Elite 8
April 4: Final Four
April 6: National Championship

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Illinois

Bears stadium deal should not include lawmaker perks or raise property taxes

Published

16 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Bears stadium deal should not include lawmaker perks or raise property taxes

Publicly funded stadium deals can involve questionable incentives for politicians. The megaprojects bill in Illinois would drive up neighbors’ property taxes.

Any deal between Illinois and the Chicago Bears for a new stadium must avoid giveaways to lawmakers and property tax increases for others.

The Bears own the former Arlington Park Racecourse in Arlington Heights and have said they’re also considering Northwest Indiana for a stadium development. A bill in the Illinois General Assembly would offer property tax breaks to such “megaprojects.”

Agreements for publicly funded stadiums in other cities often have included luxury suites and free tickets for lawmakers. Local officials in Kansas City have been criticized for getting access to tickets and suites during ongoing stadium negotiations. Officials in Arizona have repeatedly used free access to publicly funded stadiums to host guests.

A bill in Ohio would prohibit state lawmakers from knowingly accepting free or discounted tickets to pro sports events. The proposal comes amid negotiations with the Cleveland Browns over public funding for a new stadium.

Offering free admission and luxury suites to lawmakers who make decisions about publicly funding stadiums creates a clear conflict of interest.

From a taxpayer perspective, such perks can divert public resources if lawmakers have an incentive to offer a team or other megaproject a tax break when that revenue could go toward broadly shared public benefits. From a free-market standpoint, these arrangements distort competition by subsidizing select teams and projects rather than encouraging municipalities to make themselves attractive for private investment.

Illinois legislators should ensure that any stadium agreement with the Bears does not include free tickets or luxury accommodations for lawmakers.

Perks for politicians are only half the story. The proposed incentive package in Springfield, HB 910 House Amendment 1, would be devastating for taxpayers.

Much of the current discussion revolves around the massive property tax reductions the bill would provide for so-called megaprojects as an attempt to spur economic development.

While negotiating targeted tax incentives is bad policy to begin with, the legislation would make Illinois’ property tax crisis even worse for other taxpayers. Although approved megaprojects would pay steeply discounted property taxes, a clause in the bill allows a taxing body to count the cash value of the megaproject in its total assessed value.

In other words, taxing bodies can still increase taxes as if the project were paying normal tax rates, generating increased revenue, but the project would not pay those higher taxes. Neighboring businesses, homeowners and renters would pay more to make up for the team’s discount.

Here is some of what’s in the bill, which has passed out of committee and could be called for a full House vote any time:

To qualify, a project must have at least $500 million in eligible costs, which can include the property purchase and can be retroactive up to five years before the megaproject certificate is issued. The project must be completed within seven to 10 years, but that can be extended by five years. The site must be operated for at least 20 years; the tax incentive would last at least 23 years and up to 40 years.
The megaproject’s assessment would be frozen so that its property tax bill is calculated on the “base year” of the project, meaning the value of the property before any improvements, such as a stadium.
However, for purposes of issuing bonds and property tax extension limitation calculations, the taxing body could use the current fair cash value of the property. In other words, new development, which is generally exempt from Property Tax Extension Limitation Laws, would allow for the levy to grow beyond the limited rate, which other taxpayers will have to cover.

The bill’s “incentive agreement” allows for separate payments from the megaproject entity, such as the Bears, or an alternative source, to affected taxing bodies in addition to property taxes bill. The payment amount would be negotiated with taxing bodies.

Illinoisans already pay the highest property taxes in the nation. Homeowners in Arlington Heights pay average annual property taxes of more than $8,000. HB910 would make it even worse. One simple solution is to strike this language from the bill:

“Projects to be valued at fair cash value for purposes of bonded indebtedness and limitations on property tax extensions. Projects to which an assessment freeze applies pursuant to this Division shall be valued at their fair cash value for purposes of calculating a municipality’s general obligation bond limits and a taxing district’s limitation on tax extensions.”

Removing that language would ensure that businesses, homeowners and renters in the megaproject area would not face higher property taxes because of an incentive agreement.

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Illinois

Obituary for Tessie Lee Woods at Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home Inc.

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Obituary for Tessie Lee Woods at Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home Inc.

Tessie Lee Woods, age 91, departed this earths life surrounded by her loved ones. She was Born on October 25, 1934, in Arkansas to the late Connie and Deanner Holliman. Tessie attended school in Arkansas and, later in life, moved to Rockford, Illinois, where she met and married Robert B.

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