Maryland Terrapins vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction, 9/17/2021 College Football Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Maryland Terrapins vs Illinois Fighting Illini

Date: Friday, September 17, 2021

Location: Memorial Stadium in Champaign, IL

TV: FS1

Odds/Point Spread: Fighting Illini (+7.5)

Total/Over-Under: 58.5

Memorial Stadium is the location where the Illinois Fighting Illini (1-2) will compete against the Maryland Terrapins (2-0) on Friday. Illinois is 7.5-point underdogs from Vegas oddsmakers. The total has been set at 58.5.

The Maryland Terrapins head into this game 2-0 for this season. In their last contest, the Terrapins stepped onto the field against the Howard Bison and went home with a win by a final score of 62-0. Taulia Tagovailoa went 22/27 with 274 yards passing and 3 touchdowns. He had a quarterback rating of 203.4 and ended the game with no picks. Roman Hemby led the offense in rushing for the Terrapins with 12 attempts for 45 yds (3.8 yards per carry). The Maryland Terrapins ran the ball a total of 49 times and accrued 227 yards, which earned them an average of 4.6 yards per attempt. For the game, they tallied 81 plays which totaled 574 yds. Maryland relinquished 12 completions on 31 tries for 80 yards, and a completion rate of 38.7%. Against the run, the Terrapins gave up 66 yards on 20 attempts, which averages out to 3.3 yards per run allowed.

In terms of putting the ball in the endzone, the Maryland Terrapins hold an average of 46.0 points per game. Offensively they have an average of 195.5 yards in the run game ranking them 37th in the country. The Terrapins have tallied 1,070 total yards for the season. When it comes to scoring touchdowns, Maryland has compiled 7 touchdowns via the pass and 4 touchdowns on the ground. Maryland has earned 54 1st downs as a unit, and they have been hurt by 11 infractions for 94 yards.

Concerning passing yards, the Terrapins have conceded 357 yds which ranks them 72nd in Division 1. They have surrendered 178.5 yards per game through the air and allowed a completion percentage of 50.7%. Overall, they are conceding 235.5 yards per game ranking them 43rd in Division 1. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 2.8 yards per running attempt and 57.0 rushing yards per game on the campaign. For the year, they have allowed 114 yards via the ground game in 2 games. The Terrapins rank 31st in college football in terms of team defense, allowing 12.0 points per game.

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The Fighting Illini come into this matchup with a record of 1-2 for this season. For their last game, the Fighting Illini took a loss by a score of 42-14 against the Virginia Cavaliers. Artur Sitkowski (1 touchdown) walked away from the contest with 221 yds on 24/45 passing while his quarterback rating was 97.5. He tossed 1 interception and his Y/A was 4.9. Chase Brown ran the ball 7 times for 41 yds, ending the game with 5.9 yds per carry for Illinois. Illinois rushed the football for 4.3 yards per attempt, finishing the contest with 116 yards on 27 attempts. The Fighting Illini finished the contest with a total of 337 yds while running 72 plays (4.7 yards per play). The Fighting Illini secondary conceded a completion rate of 70.0%, relinquishing 423 yds on 28 out of 40 through the air. Illinois conceded 32 run attempts for 135 yards (4.2 yards per carry).

When it comes to how much they score, the Fighting Illini currently rank 94th in the country averaging 24.7 points per game. Over the course of the season to this point, the Fighting Illini have a total of 646 yards via the pass not to mention an average of 215.3 passing yards per contest, putting them at 55th in Division 1. The Illinois Fighting Illini hold an average of 358.3 yards/outing, which has them ranked 65th in the country. The Illinois offense has totaled 191 penalty yards on 18 violations, which is 8th in the nation in terms of hurting your team.

Illinois has surrendered a total of 512 yards rushing (170.7 yards/game) in addition to 6 touchdowns on the ground on the season. They have surrendered 7 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 311.7 yards per game, which has them in 139th in the nation. The Fighting Illini defense has been on the field for 225 plays, which is 142nd in the country. The Fighting Illini are relinquishing 33.7 PPG, which has them sitting 126th in the nation. This year, they have given up 101 points in total.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Terrapins -7.5

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