Florida Atlantic Owls vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction, 9/23/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Florida Atlantic Owls vs Illinois Fighting Illini

Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023

Location: Memorial Stadium in Champaign, IL

TV: BTN

Odds/Point Spread: Fighting Illini (-13)

Total/Over-Under: 49

Memorial Stadium is the location where the Illinois Fighting Illini (1-2) will attempt to defeat the Florida Atlantic Owls (1-2) on Saturday, September 23, 2023. Illinois opens as 13-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The over/under is set at 49.

The Florida Atlantic Owls come into this game with a record of 1-2 for this season. The last time they stepped onto the field, the Owls played the Clemson Tigers and went home with a loss by a final score of 48-14. Daniel Richardson connected on 18/32 with 120 yards passing. He had a quarterback rating of 81.5 and finished the game with 1 pick. Kobe Lewis led the offense in rushing for the Owls with 14 attempts for 49 yds (3.5 yds per carry). The Florida Atlantic Owls rushed the ball a total of 36 times and compiled 83 yards, which is an average of 2.3 yards per attempt. When the final whistle blew, they ran 82 plays which gave them 293 yds. Florida Atlantic surrendered 20 pass completions on 33 tries for 204 yds, and a completion percentage of 60.6%. On the ground, the Owls conceded 163 yds on 33 tries, which is an average of 4.9 yards per rush allowed.

Concerning scoring points, the Florida Atlantic Owls are averaging 22.0 points per contest. As a team they're maintaining an average of 100.3 yards via the ground game ranking them 119th in Division 1. The Owls have racked up 971 total yards for the season. In terms of scoring, Florida Atlantic has compiled 6 touchdowns via the pass and 2 rushing touchdowns. Florida Atlantic has tallied 55 first downs as a team, and they have committed 14 penalties for 157 yards. They have surrendered the football 8 times.

The Owls are ranked 95th in the nation regarding their opponents scoring, giving up 28.3 points per game. The opposition is running for 3.7 yards per run and 142.0 rushing yards per game this year. During the season, they have allowed 426 yards on the ground through 3 games. When it comes to passing yardage, the Owls have allowed 656 yds which ranks them 76th in college football. They are giving up 218.7 yards per outing via the pass in addition to giving up a completion percentage of 58.7%. Over the course of this year, they are surrendering 360.7 yards per contest which has them sitting 73rd in D-1. They have conceded 6 touchdowns by air in addition to 5 touchdowns running the ball.

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The Fighting Illini come into this matchup with a record of 1-2 this season. In their last game, the Fighting Illini went home defeated by a final of 30-13 when they played the Penn State Nittany Lions. Reggie Love III carried the football 12 times for 55 yards, finishing the contest with 4.6 yds per carry for Illinois. Luke Altmyer walked away from the game with 163 yards on 15/28 through the air while his QB rate was 73.9. He tossed 4 interceptions and his Y/A was 5.8. Illinois conceded 40 attempts on the ground for 164 yds (4.1 yds per rush). The Fighting Illini passing defense gave up a completion rate of 45.9%, surrendering 219 yds on 17 for 37 through the air. The Fighting Illini finished the game with 354 yards and they ran 73 plays (4.8 yards per play). Illinois ran the football for 2.1 yards per attempt, totaling 62 yds on 29 carries.

The Illinois Fighting Illini hold an average of 356.3 yards/outing, which has them ranked 88th in the nation. The Illinois offense has accrued 205 yds of penalties on 22 violations, which is good for 36th in D-1 in terms of making mistakes. They average 123.0 rushing yards per game and have rushed for 369 yards overall. They have tossed 7 interceptions while allowing opponents to recover 1 fumbles and they have been able to earn 60 1st downs. Concerning how much they score, the Fighting Illini are ranked 105th in college football averaging 22.0 PPG. For the season so far, the Fighting Illini currently have a total of 700 passing yards not to mention an average of 233.3 passing yards per outing, ranking them 73rd in college football.

Illinois has allowed a total of 612 rushing yards (204.0 yards/game) in addition to 5 touchdowns via the rush for the season. They have allowed the opposition 5 touchdowns via the pass and 242.0 yards/outing, which has them sitting 97th in college football. Their defense has 1 fumble recovered and 2 interceptions this year. The Fighting Illini defense has taken part in 229 plays, which is 118th in the country. The Fighting Illini are giving up 30.7 points per contest, which has them ranked 111th in the country. Over the course of the season, they have surrendered 92 pts.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Fighting Illini -13

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