Why the sudden line plunge from Illinois -17? Easy. News broke that superstar guard Ayo Dosunmu (broken nose), who makes the Illini get up and go, will be reduced to a spectator. His remarkable stat line — averages of 21 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 5.3 apg — will be missed. The Huskers carried Illinois, with Dosunmu, into overtime just two weeks ago, so they should be able to fight through fatigue from their 10th game in 20 days to carve out a single-digit defeat.

Nebraska is absolutely terrible, but we'll take the near two touchdowns because the No. 5 Illini have ruled out Big Ten and National Player of the Year candidate Ayo Dosunmu due to a broken nose suffered in Tuesday's upset loss at Michigan State. Dosunmu is averaging 21.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game this season and is the only player in Division I over the last 11 seasons to average at least 20 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists. He also has two triple-doubles. Dosunmu had 31 points in the Illini's 77-72 OT comeback win in Lincoln on Feb. 12. This line had been as high as 17. Illinois has covered just one of its past eight at home vs. teams with a losing road record.