Illinois at Minnesota College Football Picks & Predictions 10/21/2017

Saturday, October 21, 2017

TCF Bank Stadium

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

TCF Bank Stadium is the venue for the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday, October 21, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 14.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 49. The Golden Gophers are 3-3-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 4-2-0. The Fighting Illini are 1-5-0 ATS and their over/under record is 3-3-0.

Valuable Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 3-3-0 against the over/under

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 1-5-0 against the spread

Important Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 4-2-0 against the over/under

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 3-3-0 against the spread

Key Illinois Fighting Illini Injuries

10/15/17 LB Dele Harding Head "?" Saturday vs. Minnesota U
10/15/17 LB Julian Jones Undisclosed "?" Saturday vs. Minnesota U
10/15/17 WR Mike Dudek Knee "?" Saturday vs. Minnesota U
10/15/17 TE Nathan Echard Knee "?" Saturday vs. Minnesota U
10/15/17 DB Patrick Nelson Undisclosed "?" Saturday vs. Minnesota U
10/15/17 DB Tony Adams Shoulder "?" Saturday vs. Minnesota U
10/14/17 RB Mike Epstein Foot out for season
08/23/17 LB Jake Hansen Knee out for season

Key Minnesota Golden Gophers Injuries

10/15/17 DB Antoine Winfield Jr. Hamstring "?" Saturday vs. Illinois
10/15/17 TE Brandon Lingen Ankle "?" Saturday vs. Illinois
10/15/17 DB Kiondre Thomas Undisclosed "?" Saturday vs. Illinois
10/15/17 OL Nick Connelly Leg "?" Saturday vs. Illinois
10/15/17 WR Phillip Howard Concussion "?" Saturday vs. Illinois
10/15/17 RB Shannon Brooks Leg probable Saturday vs. Illinois
10/15/17 OL Vincent Calhoun Leg "?" Saturday vs. Illinois
10/01/17 WR Demetrius Douglas Foot out for season
09/27/17 DB Zo Craighton Leg out for season
09/27/17 WR Melvin Holland Jr. Leg out for season
08/30/17 WR Chris Autman-Bell Leg out indefinitely

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Illinois Fighting Illini have run for 710 yards as a unit, which ranks 114th in the nation. They've run 191 times, averaging 3.7 yards per rush as a unit. The Fighting Illini have been penalized on offense 45 times for 430 yards so far this year, which has them 36th in the country in penalties. They are 119th in Division 1 in points scored with 113. They have run 374 plays this year for 1,909 yards, which ranks them 96th in the nation in total offense. The Fighting Illini average 5.1 yards per play, which is 104th in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 101 1st downs this season, ranking them 116th overall as an offensive unit. Jeff George Jr. has completed 54 throws while attempting 105 passes for a completion percentage of 51.4%. He has passed for 765 yards this year. He averages 4.9 adjusted yards per throw and 7.3 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating this season is 108.7.

Defensive Statistics

The Fighting Illini rush defense has given up 256 attempts for 1,183 yards this season, putting them in 90th place in the country against the run. They have had 45 penalties for 428 yards on defense this year. That places them 102nd in Division 1. Illinois is 80th in college football in points surrendered on defense with 183. They have given up a total of 2,527 yards on D, which is 75th in the nation. The Fighting Illini are 81st in yards per play allowed with 5.8. Opponent offenses have completed 107 throws on 179 attempts against the Illinois Fighting Illini defense this season, ranking them 47th and 31st in the country. The Illinois pass defense has also surrendered a total of 1,344 yards in the air, which is 59th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Illinois Fighting Illini have tried 11 field goals this year and made 9, which is 39th in college football. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 82%. Illinois Fighting Illini kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 8 for 8 this season. Their punters have accumulated 1,281 yards on 32 punts, averaging 40 yards per punt. That ranks them 94th in the NCAA in punting average. Illinois is 99th in the country in punt returns with 7. They've totaled 61 punt return yards and average 8.7 yards per return, which is 48th in D-1. They have returned 16 kicks for 305 yards on special teams, which puts them 83rd in kick return yardage. The Fighting Illini average 19 yards per kick return and they are 118th in the nation in all-purpose yards with 2,275.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Golden Gophers are 80th in Division 1 in points scored with 167. They have run 402 plays this season for 2,089 yards, which ranks them 109th in the nation in total offense. The Minnesota Golden Gophers average 5.2 yards per play, which is 99th in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 109 1st downs this year, placing them 109th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Minnesota has run for 1,024 yards as a team, which ranks 64th in the country. They've run 261 times, averaging 3.9 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Golden Gophers have been penalized on offense 22 times for 218 yards so far this season, which has them 127th in the nation in penalties. Conor Rhoda has thrown for 839 yards this season. He has completed 59 passes on 110 attempts for a completion percentage of 53.6%. His quarterback rating this year is 125.4. He averages 7.6 yards per pass attempt and 6.9 adjusted yards per throw.

Defensive Statistics

Minnesota is 27th in the nation in points allowed on defense with 116. They have surrendered a total of 1,941 yards on D, which is 21st in Division 1. The Golden Gophers are ranked 39th in yards per play allowed with 5.1. Opposing offenses have completed 116 passes on 195 attempts against the Minnesota defense this season, placing them 65th and 61st in the country. The Minnesota Golden Gophers pass defense has also given up a total of 1,121 yards through the air, which is 19th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has allowed 187 attempts for 820 yards this year, putting them in 40th place in D-1 against the run. The Golden Gophers have committed 34 penalties for 342 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 67th in the nation.

Special Teams Stats

Minnesota is ranked 123rd in the nation in punt returns with 4. They've accumulated 11 punt return yards and average 2.8 yards per return, which is 119th in college football. They have returned 16 kicks for 339 yards on special teams, ranking 68th in kick return yardage. The Minnesota Golden Gophers average 21 yards per kick return and they are 113th in the country in all-purpose yards with 2,439. The Golden Gophers have attempted 12 field goals this season and made 9, which is 41st in D-1. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 75%. Minnesota kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 20 for 20 this year. Their punters have totaled 1,204 yards on 28 punts, averaging 43 yards per punt. That places them 44th in Division 1 in punting average.

Who will win tonight's Fighting Illini/Golden Gophers college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Fighting Illini +14.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald