Illinois almost completed its comeback against Eastern Michigan in Week 3 but instead came up three points short after trailing by six at halftime. It’s a tough loss for Illinois, who was looking to start 3-0 with a win at home against the Eagles, but coach Lovie Smith isn’t dwelling on it.

“You realize, in a way, the real season starts now with Big Ten play,” Smith said during his press conference Monday.

Smith also went on to say how he’s looking forward to the matchup against Nebraska.

Nebraska leads the all-time series against Illinois with a record of 12-3-1, which includes three wins over the last three years. Last season, Nebraska knocked off Illinois, 54-35.

This year, this matchup will be in Champaign, where Illinois has captured two of its three wins during the series.

Nebraska beat Northern Illinois this past Saturday, 44-8, but the Cornhuskers also enter conference play with a 2-1 record, having lost to rival Colorado on the road the previous Saturday.