Wisconsin vs. Illinois Prediction
Can No. 6 Wisconsin go on the road and cover a lofty spread when the Badgers take on Illinois this afternoon at Noon ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
351 Wisconsin vs. 352 Illinois
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Noon ET – Memorial Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Wisconsin is the clear favorite on the road, as the Badger are getting odds of -31 points against Illinois. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 50.5 points. The public betting currently has 72 percent going on Wisconsin as a road favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Illinois in a freefall
The Illinois Fighting Illini won their first two games of 2019, but have lost four straight since. That includes a 42-25 win at home to Michigan last weekend. The Illini are now 2-4 overall, 0-3 in the Big Ten, 3-3 against the spread and 3-3 with the over/under total.
Illinois has been struggling on both sides of the ball. The defense is giving up 30.7 points and 437.2 yards per game, while the offense is putting up 30.7 points and 338 yards per outing. Brandon Peters has thrown for 797 yards and 10 touchdowns this year, but he sat out last Saturday due to a concussion and is questionable for this game. Matt Robinson will fill in if Peters can’t play. Robinson has thrown for 348 yards and a score. Reggie Corbin is the team’s leading rusher with 396 yards and three touchdowns, while Josh Imatorhebhe is the leading receiver with 20 catches for 322 yards and five touchdowns.
Badgers dominant defensively
Wisconsin is coming off a 38-0 win over Michigan State at home last weekend, as the Badgers improved to 6-0 on the year with their fourth shutout of 2019. Wisconsin is 3-0 in the Big Ten, 5-1 against the spread and 4-2 with the under.
The Badgers are ranked No. 1 nationally in all major defensive categories this year. They lead the nation in scoring (4.8 ppg), total defense (176.5 ypg), passing defense (129 ypg) and rushing defense (47.5 ypg). The unit is led by Zack Baun, who has 26 tackles and five sacks. Offensively, Wisconsin is putting up 42.5 points and 447.8 yards per contest. Jonathan Taylor is leading the offense this year with 825 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns while Jack Coan has thrown or 1,119 yards and eight touchdowns. Quintez Cephus is the leading receiver with 19 catches for 291 yards and three scores.
College Football Betting Trends
Illinois
Illinois is 1-4 against the spread in its last five games in October and 10-26 ATS in their last 36 home games against a team with a winning road record.
Wisconsin
The Badgers are 14-4 against the spread in their last 18 road games, but 0-4 ATS in their last four against a team with a losing record.
Prediction:
Wisconsin has won nine straight against Illinois and the Badgers have covered the spread in five of the last seven in this series. This game has the potential to be a trap for Wisconsin, as the Badgers have only hit the road once this season and could easily be overlooking Illinois. However, I think the Wisconsin defense is just too proud and strong for that to happen. Illinois may get shutout here, as their offense is pretty ugly. Wisconsin will be able to carve up this Illinois defense that is giving up over 200 rushing yards per game.
College Football Week 8 Prediction: Wisconsin -31
Related: Wisconsin vs. Illinois Total Prediction