Illinois Fighting Illini vs Iowa Hawkeyes Prediction, 11/18/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Iowa Hawkeyes

Date: Saturday, November 18, 2023

Location: Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, IA

TV: FS1

Odds/Point Spread: Hawkeyes (-4)

Total/Over-Under: 30.5

Kinnick Stadium is the location where the Iowa Hawkeyes (8-2) will try to defeat the Illinois Fighting Illini (5-5) on Saturday, November 18, 2023. Iowa is 4-point favorites. The over/under has been set at 30.5.

The Illinois Fighting Illini come into this matchup with a record of 5-5 for this year. The last time they stepped onto the field, the Fighting Illini faced off with the Indiana Hoosiers and walked away with a win by a score of 48-45. Reggie Love III was the best rusher for the Fighting Illini with 24 totes for 140 yards (5.8 yds per carry). John Paddock finished 24/36 with 507 yds through the air and 4 TDs. He had a quarterback rating of 216.1 and finished the contest with 1 interception. Against the run, the Fighting Illini conceded 162 yds on 43 attempts, which calculates to 3.8 yds per run allowed. Illinois allowed 22 pass completions on 33 tries for 289 yds, and a completion percentage of 66.7%. Once the final whistle blew, they tallied 71 plays which totaled 662 yards. The Illinois Fighting Illini ran the rock 35 times and totaled 155 yards, which earned them an average of 4.4 yards per attempt.

When talking about getting in the endzone, the Illinois Fighting Illini are sitting at 23.8 points per outing. As a team they are averaging 134.5 yards on the ground ranking them 93rd in the country. The Fighting Illini have earned 3,957 yards in total for the season. When it comes to getting the ball in the endzone, Illinois has earned 19 passing touchdowns and 11 touchdowns via the ground. Illinois has accumulated 207 first downs as an offense, and they have been called for 72 infractions for 686 yards. They have turned the ball over 19 different times.

The Fighting Illini are sitting in 101st in the country when it comes to the opposition scoring, conceding 29.3 points per game. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 4.0 yards per run and 154.3 rushing yards per game for the year. During this campaign, they have given up 1,543 rushing yards through 10 outings. When it comes to yards via the pass, the Fighting Illini are allowing 2,336 yds which has them sitting in 79th in the nation. They have surrendered 233.6 yards per contest through the air as well as conceding a completion percentage of 58.6%. Over the course of this year, they have given up 387.9 yards/contest which ranks them 79th in college football. They have conceded 19 touchdowns by air and 15 touchdowns via the ground game.

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The Hawkeyes head into this game 8-2 for this season. In their last game, the Hawkeyes got the victory with a final of 22-0 when they played the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Deacon Hill (1 touchdown) ended the contest with 223 yds on 20/31 through the air while his QB rate was 129.1. He threw 1 interception and his average yards per attempt was 7.2. Leshon Williams ran the football 13 times for 63 yds, ending the game with 4.8 yds per attempt for Iowa. The Hawkeyes finished with a total of 402 yds on 77 plays (5.2 yards per play). Iowa rushed for 3.9 yards per carry, totaling 179 yds on 46 carries. Iowa surrendered 23 running attempts for 34 yds (1.5 yards per rush). The Hawkeyes passing defense allowed a completion percentage of 38.9%, surrendering 93 yards on 7 for 18 passing.

The Iowa Hawkeyes maintain an average of 243.0 yards per outing, ranking them 133rd in D-1. The Iowa offense has compiled 266 yards of penalties on 31 violations, which ranks 132nd in college football in terms of helping out the other team. They have an average of 121.0 rushing yards per game and have toted the ball for 1,210 yards overall. They have thrown 8 picks while surrendering 7 fumbles and they have obtained 131 1st downs. In terms of the points being put on the board, the Hawkeyes rank 123rd in college football holding an average of 18.8 points per game. Over the course of the season so far, the Hawkeyes have earned 1,220 passing yards not to mention holding an average of 122.0 throwing yards per contest, giving them a rank of 130th in the nation.

The Hawkeyes are conceding 12.3 points per game, which has them 3rd in the nation. Iowa has allowed a total of 1,127 yards on the ground (112.7 yards per game) and 1 touchdown on the ground so far this year. In total, they have conceded 123 points in total. They have given up 9 touchdowns from the passing game and 168.8 yards per game, ranking them 10th in Division 1. The Hawkeyes defense has participated in 704 plays, which has them sitting 102nd in Division 1. They have totaled 3 fumbles recovered and 9 picks this season.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Hawkeyes -4

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