Illinois Fighting Illini vs Purdue Boilermakers Prediction, 9/30/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Purdue Boilermakers

Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023

Location: Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN

TV: Peacock

Odds/Point Spread: Boilermakers (-1)

Total/Over-Under: 53.5

Ross-Ade Stadium is the site where the Purdue Boilermakers (1-3) will compete against the Illinois Fighting Illini (2-2) on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Illinois is 1-point dogs from Vegas oddsmakers. The over/under has been set at 53.5.

The Illinois Fighting Illini come into this game with a record of 2-2 for this year. The last time they stepped onto the field, the Fighting Illini played the Florida Atlantic Owls and took home the win by a score of 23-17. Luke Altmyer finished 25/36 with 303 yds passing and 1 touchdown. He had a quarterback rate of 149.3 and walked away from the contest with no picks. Reggie Love III was the rushing leader for the Fighting Illini with 12 attempts for 85 yds (7.1 yds per attempt). When the final whistle blew, they had 77 plays which converted into 510 yards. The Illinois Fighting Illini ran the football 41 different times and totaled 207 yds, which is an average of 5.0 yards per tote. When it came to stopping the run, the Fighting Illini conceded 97 yds on 24 attempts, which calculates to 4.0 yards per rush surrendered. Illinois relinquished 28 pass completions on 49 attempts for a total of 256 yards, and a completion percentage of 57.1%.

Regarding scoring, the Illinois Fighting Illini are sitting at 22.3 PPG. As a team they average 148.0 yards rushing ranking them 76th in the country. The Fighting Illini currently have 1,579 total yards for the season. In terms of distribution of touchdowns, Illinois has totaled 5 touchdowns through the air and 6 rushing touchdowns. Illinois has accounted for 86 1st downs offensively, and they have been called for 28 penalties for 277 yards. They have turned the ball over 10 different times.

The Fighting Illini are ranked 90th in the nation when it comes to their opponents scoring, allowing 27.3 points per contest. They are allowing an average of 4.7 yards per rushing attempt and 177.3 rushing yards per game for the year. In total, they have allowed 709 rushing yards through 4 games. When talking about yards through the air, the Fighting Illini are giving up 982 yds which puts them in 93rd in Division 1. They have relinquished 245.5 yards per outing via the pass as well as allowing a completion percentage of 56.6%. In total, they are giving up 422.8 yards per contest which puts them 116th in college football. They have relinquished 7 touchdowns through the air as well as 5 touchdowns on the ground.

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The Boilermakers come into this matchup with a record of 1-3 this season. The last time they took the field, the Boilermakers took a loss by a final score of 38-17 against the Wisconsin Badgers. Tyrone Tracy Jr. ran the football 8 times for 84 yds, ending the game with 10.5 yds per carry for Purdue. Hudson Card ended the contest with 202 yards on 21/38 passing while his QB rating was 89.4. He threw 2 interceptions and his average yards per pass attempt was 5.3. Purdue gave up 43 rushing attempts for 195 yds (4.5 yds per carry). The Boilermakers passing defense gave up a completion percentage of 64.3%, surrendering 193 yds on 18 out of 28 passing. The Boilermakers finished the contest with a total of 400 yards while running 69 plays (5.8 yards per play). Purdue ran for 6.4 yds per carry, totaling 198 yds on 31 carries.

Regarding their scoring prowess, the Boilermakers rank 92nd in the nation holding an average of 24.0 PPG. The Purdue Boilermakers have an average of 398.3 yards per outing, which has them ranked 64th in D-1. The Purdue offense has totaled 283 penalty yards on 29 violations, which is 31st in D-1 in terms of giving up free yards. They have given away 3 picks while conceding 4 fumbles and they have tallied 93 1st downs. For the season to this point, the Boilermakers have a total of 1,027 yards through the air as well as an average of 256.8 passing yards per contest, ranking them 50th in college football. They average 141.5 yards via the ground game and have run for 566 yards overall.

Purdue has given up a total of 593 yards rushing (148.3 yards per contest) and 10 touchdowns on the ground so far this year. They have allowed 6 touchdowns through the air and 255.8 yards per game, which has them ranked 104th in college football. They have earned 0 fumbles recovered and 5 picks on the season. The Boilermakers defense has been on the field for 287 plays, which ranks 108th in the country. The Boilermakers are relinquishing 32.3 PPG, which has them 111th in D-1. Overall, they have surrendered 129 total points.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Fighting Illini +1

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