Saturday, November 29, 2014

Ryan Field in Evanston

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

In what has turned out to be a huge Big Ten affair, the Fighting Illini of the University of Illinois will play their state rival, the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday. Both teams come into the game with matching 5-6 records. This means the winner of this game will be eligible for a bowl game in December of 2014. Illinois is coming off a big win at home over Penn State, while Northwestern was able to beat Notre Dame and Purdue in back to back weeks.

The Northwestern Wildcats are 3-4, which is fifth place in the Big Ten - West Division. The Wildcats started the season 3-2, but lost four straight in October/November. The Wildcats are scoring 22.1 points per game, which ranks 105th in the country. Defensively, Northwestern has been pretty solid, allowing 23.2 points per game. The Wildcats top offensive threat has been running back Justin Jackson, with 8 rushing touchdowns.

For Illinois - after a 3-1 start, the Fighting Illini lost 5 of 6 before downing Penn State last week. The Fighting Illini have improved defensive, as they have allowed just 19 points per game in their last two wins. On the season, Illinois is allowing 34 per game. The Fighting Illini offense appears to have been turned over to Reilly O’Toole, for Wes Lunt. The two have combined for over 2,600 yards and 26 touchdowns on the season. The Illini also feature receiver Mike Dudek, with 5 touchdowns caught.

Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends

Illinois Fighting Illini are 4-7-0 Against the Spread

Illinois Fighting Illini are 6-5-0 against the Over/Under

Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends

Northwestern Wildcats are 5-6-0 Against the Spread

Northwestern Wildcats are 4-6-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Illinois Fighting Illini

11/21/14 OL Peter Cvijanovic Shoulder out for season
11/15/14 OG Ted Karras Knee out for season
10/31/14 DL Kenny Nelson Undisclosed out for season
10/21/14 DT Teko Powell Foot out for season
09/13/14 OL Jake Angona Undisclosed out for season
09/13/14 LB Sean White Undisclosed out for season
08/08/14 LB Mike Svetina Foot out indefinitely

Northwestern Wildcats

11/22/14 CB Keith Watkins II Undisclosed "?"
11/22/14 WR Miles Shuler Hand "?"
11/22/14 CB Nick VanHoose Lower Body "?"
11/22/14 QB Trevor Siemian Leg injured last game, "?"
11/18/14 DT Greg Kuhar Lower Body out for season
11/11/14 CB Daniel Jones Knee out for season
10/27/14 LB Brett Walsh Suspension out indefinitely
10/27/14 LB Collin Ellis Concussion out for season
10/24/14 DB Dwight White Kidney out for season
08/27/14 DL Sean McEvilly Foot out for season
08/13/14 WR Christian Jones Knee out for season

Josh's Pick: Take Northwestern

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