Michigan vs. Illinois Prediction
Will No. 16 Michigan be able to go on the road and cover a big spread when the Wolverines take on Illinois today at Noon ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
119 Michigan vs. 120 Illinois
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Noon ET – Memorial Stadium
TV: ABC
Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new NCAAF Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Michigan is the clear favorite on the road, as the Wolverines are getting odds of -23 points against Illinois. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 49 points. The public betting currently has 63 percent going on Michigan as the 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.
Illini back on a slide
The Illinois football team is riding a three-game losing streak right now following a 40-17 loss at Minnesota last weekend. The Illini are 2-3 overall, 0-2 in the Big Ten, 2-3 against the spread and 3-2 with the under.
Illinois hasn’t been able to do anything on offense or defense this year. The Illini are putting up 31.8 points and 354.4 yards per game on offense while giving up 28.4 points and 427 yards per contest on defense. Brandon Peters is a former U-M quarterback that has thrown for 797 yards and 10 touchdowns for Illinois this season. He is questionable to play this afternoon due to an upper body injury. Reggie Corbin is the team’s leading rusher with 382 yards and three scores while Josh Imatorbhebhe is the leading receiver with 15 catches for 220 yards and four scores. Oluwole Betiku Jr. is leading the defense with 23 tackles and seven sacks.
Michigan struggling on offense
Michigan picked up a needed win at home last week against Iowa, but only scored 10 points in the victory. The Wolverines are 4-1 overall, 2-1 in the Big Ten, 2-3 against the spread and 3-2 with the over.
The Wolverines have been relying on their defense this season, giving up just 16 points and 289.2 yards per game. Their pass defense ranks seventh nationally, allowing just 154.2 yards per game. Offensively, Michigan is putting up just 28 points and 367.8 yards per contest. Shea Patterson is leading the offense with 1,052 yards and six touchdowns passing while Nico Collins has 13 catches for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Zach Charbonnet has 260 rushing yards and four touchdowns to lead the ground game. Jordan Glasgow is leading the Michigan defense with 36 tackles and four sacks.
College Football Betting Trends
Illinois
Illinois is 2-6 against the spread in their last eight games against a winning team and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games on fieldturf.
Michigan
The Wolverines are have covered the spread in four straight games in October and 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a win.
Prediction:
Michigan has won four straight against Illinois, but the two have split the spread in those four meetings. Still, this is a game where Michigan’s offensive struggles against good teams will help you out today. The spread is pretty low for this matchup considering the Wolverines have been able to beat up on the Illini for the most part. While Michigan has struggled to move the ball against good defensive teams like Iowa and Wisconsin, the Wolverines carved up Rutgers for 52 points and had 40 against Middle Tennessee. Illinois is awful on defense, giving up at least 34 in their last three games. The Illini are not going to be able to move the ball on this Michigan defense and the Wolverines should be able to win the line of scrimmage on offense and score consistently.
College Football Week 7 Prediction: Michigan -23
