Northwestern at Illinois College Football Picks & Predictions 11/25/2017

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Memorial Stadium

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

The Northwestern Wildcats head to Memorial Stadium to play the Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday, November 25, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Northwestern as 14 point favorites. The Wildcats are 7-3-0 against the spread and their over/under record is 4-5-1. The Fighting Illini are 4-6-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 3-7-0.

Valuable Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends

The Northwestern Wildcats are 4-5-1 against the over/under

The Northwestern Wildcats are 7-3-0 against the spread

Important Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 3-7-0 against the over/under

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 4-6-0 against the spread

Key Northwestern Wildcats Injuries

11/12/17 WR Jalen Brown Lower Body is "?" Saturday vs. Minnesota U
09/18/17 DB Brian Bullock Leg out for season
09/18/17 DB Roderick Campbell Undisclosed out for season
09/03/17 CB Keith Watkins II Knee out for season
08/31/17 DE Xavier Washington Suspension out indefinitely
08/23/17 WR Solomon Vault Lower Body out for season

Key Illinois Fighting Illini Injuries

11/12/17 DB Bennett Williams Suspension is "?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
11/12/17 QB Cam Thomas Ankle is "?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
11/12/17 WR Carmoni Green Leg is "?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
11/12/17 WR Malik Turner Undisclosed is "?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
11/12/17 WR Mike Dudek Undisclosed is "?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
11/12/17 DB Ra'Von Bonner Head is "?" Saturday vs. Ohio State
11/11/17 TE Nathan Echard Knee is out for season
10/18/17 DB Tony Adams Shoulder is out for season
10/14/17 RB Mike Epstein Foot out for season
08/23/17 LB Jake Hansen Knee out for season

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Northwestern Wildcats are 64th in the country in points scored with 314. They have run 853 plays this year for 4,417 yards, which ranks them 42nd in Division 1 in total offense. The Wildcats average 5.2 yards per play, which is 105th in the nation. As a team they have accumulated a total of 255 1st downs this season, ranking them 19th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Northwestern has run for 1,625 yards as a unit, which ranks 84th in college football. They've run 435 times, averaging 3.7 yards per rush as a unit. The Wildcats have been penalized on offense 54 times for 537 yards so far this year, which has them 103rd in the country in penalties. Clayton Thorson has passed for 2,669 yards this year. He's completed 245 throws while attempting 405 passes for a completion percentage of 60.5%. His quarterback rating this season is 121.8. He averages 6.1 adjusted yards per throw and 6.6 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

Northwestern is 33rd in the country in points surrendered on defense with 231. They have given up a total of 4,067 yards on D, which is 51st in D-1. The Wildcats are 32nd in yards per play allowed with 5.1. Opponent offenses have completed 248 throws on 425 attempts against the Northwestern Wildcats defense this season, ranking them 122nd and 125th in the nation. The Northwestern pass defense has also surrendered a total of 2,833 yards in the air, which is 108th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 375 attempts for 1,235 yards this season, putting them in 13th place in the country against the run. The Wildcats have had 56 penalties for 512 yards on defense this year. That places them 45th in college football.

Special Teams Stats

Northwestern is 109th in the country in punt returns with 10. They've totaled 83 punt return yards and average 8.2 yards per return, which is 51st in D-1. They have returned 22 kicks for 406 yards on special teams, which puts them 118th in kick return yardage. The Wildcats average 19 yards per kick return and they are 85th in the nation in all-purpose yards with 4,905. The Northwestern Wildcats have tried 14 field goals this year and made 12, which is 63rd in college football. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 86%. Northwestern Wildcats kickers have made 97% of their extra points, going 36 for 37 this season. Their punters have accumulated 2,455 yards on 58 punts, averaging 42 yards per punt. That ranks them 51st in the NCAA in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Fighting Illini have run for 1,167 yards as a team, which ranks 120th in college football. They've run 353 times, averaging 3.3 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Illinois Fighting Illini have been penalized on offense 79 times for 710 yards so far this season, which has them 21st in the country in penalties. They are 126th in the nation in points scored with 178. They have run 661 plays this season for 3,126 yards, which ranks them 103rd in Division 1 in total offense. Illinois averages 4.7 yards per play, which is 121st in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 163 1st downs this year, placing them 125th overall as an offensive unit. Jeff George Jr. averages 7 yards per pass attempt and 5.3 adjusted yards per throw. He has completed 94 passes on 181 attempts for a completion percentage of 51.9%. His quarterback rating this year is 112.7. He has thrown for 1,273 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The Illinois Fighting Illini rush defense has allowed 501 attempts for 2,316 yards this year, putting them in 113th place in D-1 against the run. Illinois has committed 72 penalties for 673 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 97th in college football. They are 90th in the nation in points allowed on defense with 336. They have surrendered a total of 4,575 yards on D, which is 88th in the country. The Fighting Illini are ranked 63rd in yards per play allowed with 5.6. Opposing offenses have completed 188 passes on 318 attempts against the Illinois defense this season, placing them 51st and 43rd in Division 1. The Illinois Fighting Illini pass defense has also given up a total of 2,259 yards through the air, which is 47th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Illinois Fighting Illini have attempted 17 field goals this season and made 12, which is 59th in D-1. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 75%. Illinois kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 17 for 17 this year. Their punters have totaled 2,875 yards on 69 punts, averaging 42 yards per punt. That places them 70th in Division 1 in punting average. Illinois is ranked 108th in the nation in punt returns with 10. They've accumulated 74 punt return yards and average 7.4 yards per return, which is 61st in college football. They have returned 29 kicks for 548 yards on special teams, ranking 93rd in kick return yardage. The Illinois Fighting Illini average 19 yards per kick return and they are 128th in the country in all-purpose yards with 3,748.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Wildcats -14

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