Illinois at Northwestern College Football Picks and Predictions 11/24/2018

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Ryan Field

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

Ryan Field is the venue for the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday, November 24, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Northwestern as 18 point favorites. The Wildcats are 6-3-2 against the spread and their over/under mark is 5-6-0. The Fighting Illini are 4-7-0 ATS and their over/under record is 7-4-0.

Valuable Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 7-4-0 against the over/under

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 4-7-0 against the spread

Important Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends

The Northwestern Wildcats are 5-6-0 against the over/under

The Northwestern Wildcats are 6-3-2 against the spread

Key Illinois Fighting Illini Injuries

11/15/18 RB Reggie Corbin Leg is upgraded to probable Saturday vs Iowa
11/11/18 DL Kenyon Jackson Undisclosed is questionable Saturday vs Iowa
11/11/18 RB Mike Epstein Foot is questionable Saturday vs Iowa
11/11/18 DB Stanley Green Undisclosed is questionable Saturday vs Iowa
10/16/18 TE Louis Dorsey Left Team is out for season
10/11/18 DB Bennett Williams Dismissed is out for season
09/27/18 DL Jamal Woods Undisclosed is out indefinitely
09/11/18 WR Edwin Carter Knee is out for season
09/07/18 QB Cam Thomas Personal has left team
09/03/18 WR Mike Dudek Knee is out for season

Key Northwestern Wildcats Injuries

11/17/18 WR Flynn Nagel Undisclosed left last game, is questionable
11/12/18 S Jared McGee Undisclosed is downgraded to OUT Saturday vs Minnesota U
11/12/18 CB Montre Hartage Undisclosed is downgraded to OUT Saturday vs Minnesota U
11/12/18 DB Trae Williams Undisclosed is downgraded to OUT Saturday vs Minnesota U
11/11/18 K Charlie Kuhbander Leg is questionable Saturday vs Minnesota U
11/11/18 K Drew Luckenbaugh Undisclosed is questionable Saturday vs Minnesota U
11/11/18 RB John Moten IV Lower Body is questionable Saturday vs Minnesota U
09/24/18 RB Jeremy Larkin Undisclosed is out for season

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Illinois Fighting Illini have run for 2,783 yards as a unit, which ranks 10th in the nation. They've run 458 times, averaging 6.1 yards per rush as a unit. The Fighting Illini have been penalized on offense 69 times for 707 yards so far this year, which has them 52nd in the country in penalties. They are 78th in Division 1 in points scored with 296. They have run 747 plays this year for 4,490 yards, which ranks them 118th in the nation in total offense. The Fighting Illini average 6 yards per play, which is 51st in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 209 1st downs this season, ranking them 95th overall as an offensive unit. A.J. Bush has completed 94 throws while attempting 178 passes for a completion percentage of 52.8%. He has passed for 1,132 yards this year. He averages 4.9 adjusted yards per throw and 6.4 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating this season is 106.5.

Defensive Statistics

The Fighting Illini rush defense has given up 447 attempts for 2,683 yards this season, putting them in 121st place in the country against the run. They have had 72 penalties for 691 yards on defense this year. That places them 101st in Division 1. Illinois is 123rd in college football in points surrendered on defense with 449. They have given up a total of 5,730 yards on D, which is 126th in the nation. The Fighting Illini are 125th in yards per play allowed with 7.2. Opponent offenses have completed 224 throws on 354 attempts against the Illinois Fighting Illini defense this season, ranking them 106th and 86th in the country. The Illinois pass defense has also surrendered a total of 3,047 yards in the air, which is 123rd overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Illinois Fighting Illini have tried 22 field goals this year and made 17, which is 14th in college football. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 77%. Illinois Fighting Illini kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 35 for 35 this season. Their punters have accumulated 2,610 yards on 62 punts, averaging 42 yards per punt. That ranks them 52nd in the NCAA in punting average. Illinois is 39th in the country in punt returns with 19. They've totaled 91 punt return yards and average 4.8 yards per return, which is 116th in D-1. They have returned 36 kicks for 581 yards on special teams, which puts them 47th in kick return yardage. The Fighting Illini average 16 yards per kick return and they are 57th in the nation in all-purpose yards with 5,162.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Wildcats are 104th in Division 1 in points scored with 260. They have run 843 plays this season for 3,850 yards, which ranks them 42nd in the nation in total offense. The Northwestern Wildcats average 4.6 yards per play, which is 125th in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 230 1st downs this year, placing them 60th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Northwestern has run for 1,117 yards as a team, which ranks 122nd in the country. They've run 408 times, averaging 2.7 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Wildcats have been penalized on offense 33 times for 305 yards so far this season, which has them 129th in the nation in penalties. Clayton Thorson has thrown for 2,565 yards this season. He has completed 239 passes on 398 attempts for a completion percentage of 60.1%. His quarterback rating this year is 118.1. He averages 6.4 yards per pass attempt and 5.7 adjusted yards per throw.

Defensive Statistics

Northwestern is 39th in the nation in points allowed on defense with 244. They have surrendered a total of 4,037 yards on D, which is 50th in Division 1. The Wildcats are ranked 51st in yards per play allowed with 5.4. Opposing offenses have completed 239 passes on 380 attempts against the Northwestern defense this season, placing them 121st and 110th in the country. The Northwestern Wildcats pass defense has also given up a total of 2,575 yards through the air, which is 77th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has allowed 369 attempts for 1,462 yards this year, putting them in 35th place in D-1 against the run. The Wildcats have committed 79 penalties for 756 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 119th in the nation.

Special Teams Stats

Northwestern is ranked 22nd in the nation in punt returns with 22. They've accumulated 138 punt return yards and average 6.3 yards per return, which is 96th in college football. They have returned 15 kicks for 330 yards on special teams, ranking 107th in kick return yardage. The Northwestern Wildcats average 22 yards per kick return and they are 116th in the country in all-purpose yards with 4,318. The Wildcats have attempted 13 field goals this season and made 7, which is 120th in D-1. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 54%. Northwestern kickers have made 97% of their extra points, going 29 for 30 this year. Their punters have totaled 2,460 yards on 61 punts, averaging 40 yards per punt. That places them 86th in Division 1 in punting average.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Wildcats -18

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