Eastern Michigan at Illinois NCAA Football Picks and Tips 9/14/2019

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Memorial Stadium

Memorial Stadium is the venue where Brandon Peters and the Illinois Fighting Illini will play the Eastern Michigan Eagles on Saturday. Illinois opens this game as 8-point favorites. The over/under is set at 57. The Eagles are 1-1-0 ATS and 1-1-0 when betting on the total. The Fighting Illini are 0-2-0 when wagering on the over/under and 1-1-0 against the spread.

Key Eastern Michigan Eagles Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Illinois Fighting Illini Injuries

09/08/19 RB Reggie Corbin Hip missed last game, is questionable Saturday vs Eastern Michigan
09/02/19 RB Mike Epstein Knee is out for season
08/22/19 CB Marquez Beason Knee is out for season
07/08/19 DL Bobby Roundtree Back is out for season

In their last contest, the Eastern Michigan Eagles played the Kentucky Wildcats and were on the losing end of this game by a score of 38-17. Leading the way at QB for the Eagles was Mike Glass III who went 34/53 with 337 yards through the air and tossed 2 TD's. He gave away 2 picks in the game. Mike Glass III paced the team on the ground for the game. He had a long run of 16 yards but he wasn't able to run one in for a touchdown. He rushed for 35 yards by way of 10 carries which means he ran for an average of 3.5 yards per tote. Arthur Jackson III was the receiving yardage leader with a tally of 71 yards on 5 catches. He notched an average of 14.2 yards per catch for the game. The Eastern Michigan Eagles ran the ball 22 times and racked up a total of 49 yards giving them an average of 2.2 yards per run. For the contest, the Eagles had a total of 24 1st downs and they totaled 5 penalties for 46 yards which tells us their heads weren't always in the game. In the game, they ran 75 plays which added up to 386 yards. When discussing the defense, Eastern Michigan allowed 20 catches on 36 tries totaling 222 yards, and a completion percentage of 55.6%. For this contest, they gave up 461 yards and forced 1 takeaway. In the running game, the Eagles allowed 239 yards on 39 runs giving the other team an average of 6.1 yards per attempt allowed.

The Eagles come into this game with a record of 1-1 for this year. For total yardage, they currently sit at 7th in the conference and 95th in the nation with 677 yards. In terms of scoring, they are one of the marginal teams in the country averaging 23.5 points per contest, which has them at 93rd in the nation. As a team, they have an average of 76 rushing yards per contest which is 11th in the MAC. The Eagles have one of the most lackluster defenses in D-1, giving up 30.5 points per game ranking them 7th in the conference. When it comes to yards through the air, the Eagles have allowed 525 yards. Teams are completing 62% of the throws they are attempting against them and averaging 6.7 yards per try. In regard to yards rushing, Eastern Michigan is giving up 156.5 yards per game ranking them 8th in the conference and 87th in the country. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 4.5 yards per rush ranking them 10th in the MAC and 100th in D-1 overall. In total, they have allowed 313 rushing yards through 2 games.

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In the last game they played, the Illinois Fighting Illini took on the Connecticut Huskies and added a loss to their record by a score of 23-31. Leading the way at QB for the Fighting Illini was Brandon Peters who went 24/35 with 227 yards passing and tossed 4 touchdowns. He walked away with 1 pick during the game. Jakari Norwood led the team on the ground for that contest. His longest run of the day went for 50 yards but he never crossed the endzone by way of the rush. He rushed for a total of 62 yards by way of 6 carries which means he ran for an average of 10.3 yards per tote. Ricky Smalling was the leader in receiving yardage with a tally of 56 yards on 7 receptions. He averaged 8.0 yards per catch for that contest. The Illinois Fighting Illini ended up running the ball 33 times and generated 133 yards giving them an average of 4.0 yards per run. In all, they ran 68 plays for 360 yards. For the contest, the Fighting Illini totaled 21 first downs and they had 9 penalties for 98 yards which shows us how undisciplined this team can be. On the defensive side of the ball, Illinois gave up 21 completions on 31 throws for a total of 275 yards, and a completion percentage of 67.7%. Against the run, the Fighting Illini gave up 10 yards on 29 runs giving the other team an average of 0.3 yards per rushing attempt allowed. For the game, they allowed a total of 285 yards and earned 3 takeaways.

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The Fighting Illini come into this matchup with a record of 2-0. Illinois has made teams respect their running game by averaging 170 yards on the ground per contest, which has them at 62nd in Division 1. As a team, they have a total of 340 rushing yards through 2 games, so they'll look to the run game to try to keep the opponents off balance so they'll have open receivers. The Fighting Illini average 380.5 yards per game overall which has them at 85th in the nation and 10th in the Big Ten. The Fighting Illini are conceding 13 points per contest which puts them at 8th in the conference and 23rd in D-1. Their passing defense is one of the middle of the road units in D-1. They are allowing 201.5 passing yards per contest. For yards through the air allowed per game, the Fighting Illini currently sit at 9th in the Big Ten. In terms of points allowed, they have allowed 26 points in total. When it comes to yards rushing, they are allowing 37 yards per contest ranking them 7th in the nation and 4th in the Big Ten Conference. This season, they have given up a total of 74 rushing yards and 1 rushing TD.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Eagles +8

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