Illinois vs. Northwestern Total Pick
Can No. 19 Northwestern hold back another bad offense on Saturday at 3:30PM ET when the Wildcats host Illinois in Big Ten play.
Game Snapshot & Odds
163 Illinois at 164 Northwestern
Saturday, November 24, 2018
3:30PM ET – Ryan Field
TV: Big Ten Network
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Northwestern is the favorite on the road, as the Wildcats are getting odds of -17 points against Illinois. The over/under total is currently listed at 58 points. The public betting currently has 52 percent going on Northwestern at home.
Illinois hammered again
Illinois is coming off a 63-0 loss against Iowa at home last week for its second straight loss and fifth loss in six games. All five losses were by at least 19 points. Illinois is now 4-7 overall and 2-6 in the Big Ten. The Illini are 4-7 against the spread and 7-4 with the over. Illinois has hit the over in five straight games.
The Illini have been a mess on both sides of the ball hits year. The defense is giving up 40.8 points and 520.8 yards per game. Their rushing defense is allowing 243.8 yards per game. On offense, Illinois averages 26.9 points and 406.3 yards per game. Reggie Corbin has rushed for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns to lead the offense, but he is questionable for this game with an ankle injury. AJ Bush Jr. has thrown for 1,132 yards and five touchdowns with nine interceptions while also rushing for 677 yards and eight touchdowns.
Northwestern on to Indy
Northwestern has secured its spot in the Big Ten Championship Game and the Wildcats are coming off a 24-14 win at Minnesota last week. Northwestern is now 7-4 overall and 7-1 in the Big Ten. The Wildcats are 6-3-2 against the spread and 6-5 with the under. Northwestern has hit the under in four of its last five.
The Wildcats are led by their defense, as they are giving up 22.2 points and 367 yards per game. Offensively, Northwestern is putting up 23.6 points and 350 yards per game. Clayton Thorson has thrown for 2,565 yards and 12 touchdowns this year while also throwing for 12 interceptions. Flynn Nagel has 64 catches for 746 yards and two touchdowns while Isaiah Bowser has 570 rushing yards with six touchdowns.
College Football Betting Trends
Illinois
Illinois has hit the over in five straight road games and in eight straight games following a loss.
Northwestern
Northwestern has hit the under in four straight conference games and the Cats are 40-13-1 with the under in their last 54 home games.
Prediction:
While the Illinois defense is terrible, Northwestern isn’t an offense that typically runs up the scoreboard. They have only put up 30 points or more three times on the year and have never went over 34. Illinois isn’t a great offensive team as is and the Illini could be without their top player and they are facing a pretty steady defense on the road. I don’t expect much from the Illinois offense and I think that will lead to an under.
College Football Prediction: Illinois/Northwestern Under 58