Western Illinois Leathernecks vs Illinois State Redbirds Prediction, 3/20/2021 FCS Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Western Illinois Leathernecks vs Illinois State Redbirds

Date: Saturday, March 20, 2021

Location: Hancock Stadium in Normal, IL

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Western Illinois (+17.5)

Hancock Stadium is the site where and the Illinois State Redbirds (0-3) will play the Western Illinois Leathernecks (0-3) on Saturday. Western Illinois opens this contest as 17.5-point underdogs. The over/under is set at 46.5.

In their last outing the Leathernecks played the North Dakota Fighting Hawks and were beaten 38-21. Connor Sampson went 33/47 with 336 yards through the air and threw 1 TD. He ended the game without an interception. Iosefa Pua'auli led the team in rushing for that contest. His longest run of the day went for 5 yards and he ran for 2 TD's for the game. He ran for a total of 19 yards by way of 9 carries which had him averaging 2.0 yards per carry. Dennis Houston led the team in receiving yardage by racking up 108 yards on 8 catches. He averaged 13.5 yards per reception for that contest. The Western Illinois Leathernecks ran the football 14 times and added 26 yards earning them an average of 1.9 yards per rushing attempt. Overall, they totaled 61 plays which gave them a total of 362 yards. For the game, the Leathernecks totaled 22 1st downs and they had a total of 7 penalties for 45 yards.

In terms of defense, Western Illinois conceded 29 completions on 37 throws for a total of 328 yards, and a completion percentage of 78.0%. In the running game, the Leathernecks conceded 222 yards on 40 runs which is an average of 5.6 yards per attempt allowed. On the day, they allowed 550 yards and earned 2 turnovers.

In terms of scoring, the Western Illinois Leathernecks have an average of 18.3 PPG. Western Illinois has earned 55 total points and has compiled 7 touchdowns, while sporting an average of 23:03 mins of ball control per contest. In terms of moving the sticks, Western Illinois has compiled 41 first downs through the air and 9 first downs on the ground.

In their last game the Redbirds faced the North Dakota State Bison and were beaten 21-13. Nigel White paced the team on the ground for that contest. He had a long run of 32 yards but he wasn't able to run one in for a touchdown. He ran for 87 yards on 15 carries which had him averaging 6.0 yards per carry. Austin Nagel was the leader in receiving yardage with a tally of 51 yards on 2 catches. He notched an average of 25.5 yards per reception for that contest. Bryce Jefferson went 9/26 with 124 yards through the air and threw 1 TD. He walked away with 1 interception on the day. The Illinois State Redbirds ended up rushing 41 times and added 133 yards earning them an average of 3.2 yards per rushing attempt. In the game, the Redbirds earned a total of 13 1st downs and they had a total of 2 infractions for 10 yards. Overall, they ran 67 plays for a total of 257 yards.

In terms of defense, Illinois State allowed 11 catches on 20 throws totaling 133 yards, and a completion percentage of 55.0%. For the game, they gave up a total of 287 yards and earned 4 turnovers. On the ground, the Redbirds allowed 154 yards on 39 tries which gave them an average of 3.9 yards per rushing attempt allowed.

With an average of 30:01 mins per game when it comes to time of possession, the Redbirds have accumulated 4 TDs and 43 points on the season. In terms of their ability to score points, the Redbirds put up an average of 14.3 points per outing. They have earned 21 first downs on the ground as well as 17 first downs by way of the pass on the year.

Who will win tonight's FCS game against the spread?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Illinois State (-17.5)

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