Illinois Fighting Illini vs Northwestern Wildcats Prediction, 11/30/2024 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Northwestern Wildcats

Date: Saturday, November 30, 2024

Location: Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium in Evanston, IL

TV: BTN

Odds/Point Spread: Wildcats (+7.5)

Total/Over-Under: 44

The Illinois Fighting Illini (8-3) are hitting the road to Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium on Saturday, November 30, 2024 where they will attempt to beat the Northwestern Wildcats (4-7). Illinois opens as 7.5-point favorites. The over/under is 44.

The Illinois Fighting Illini step onto the field holding a record of 8-3 this season. The last time they took the field, the Fighting Illini played the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and earned the victory with a final of 38-31. When all was said and done, they had 62 plays which totaled 431 yards. The Illinois Fighting Illini ended up running the ball 36 different times and compiled 182 yards, earning them an average of 5.1 yards per attempt. On the ground, the Fighting Illini gave up 213 yards on 45 attempts, which is an average of 4.7 yards per rush allowed. Illinois gave up 18 completions on 36 attempts for a total of 174 yards, and a completion percentage of 50.0%.

Regarding scoring points, the Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 28.1 points per game. As a unit they average 145.6 yards in the run game which ranks them 82nd in the nation. The Fighting Illini have attained 4,004 total yards for the season. When it comes to notching touchdowns, Illinois has totaled 20 passing touchdowns and 17 rushing touchdowns. Illinois has recorded 229 1st downs as an offense, and they have committed 59 infractions for 457 yards. They have turned the football over 10 different times.

The Fighting Illini rank 36th in the country when it comes to their opponents scoring, conceding 21.5 points per contest. Opposing teams are running for an average of 4.4 yards per rush on the ground and 153.3 rushing yards per game so far this year. For the season, they have given up 1,686 yards on the ground through 11 games. Concerning yards through the air, the Fighting Illini have given up 2,333 yds which ranks them 56th in D-1. They have surrendered 212.1 yards per outing through the air in addition to allowing a completion percentage of 60.1%. Overall, they are granting 365.4 yards/outing which has them ranked 64th in the nation. They have conceded 17 touchdowns via the pass and 11 touchdowns running the ball.

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The Wildcats come into this matchup with a record of 4-7 for this season. The last time they took the gridiron, the Wildcats walked away with a loss by a score of 50-6 when they faced the Michigan Wolverines. Northwestern rushed the ball for 0.4 yards per attempt, finishing the contest with 10 yards on 25 attempts. The Wildcats finished the contest with 127 yards while running 49 plays (2.6 yards per play). The Wildcats pass defense conceded a completion rate of 74.3%, relinquishing 195 yards on 26 out of 35 passing. Northwestern conceded 35 rushing attempts for 201 yds (5.7 yards per rush).

The Northwestern Wildcats average 270.1 yards per outing, which ranks them 132nd in Division 1. The Northwestern offense has totaled 449 yards of penalties on 55 infractions, which ranks 112th in the nation in terms of hurting your team. They hold an average of 97.2 run yards per game and have run for 1,069 yards in total. They have thrown 8 interceptions while losing 6 fumbles and they have been able to earn 164 first downs. In relation to the points being put on the board, the Wildcats currently rank 130th in D-1 holding an average of 16.9 PPG. Over the course of the season thus far, the Wildcats have thrown for 1,902 yards through the air in addition to an average of 172.9 passing yards per game, which ranks 120th in D-1.

Northwestern has given up a total of 1,348 yards rushing (122.5 yards per game) and 18 touchdowns via the rush on the season. They have conceded 14 touchdowns through the air in addition to 237.5 yards/outing, which has them ranked 97th in college football. They have compiled 6 fumbles and 8 picks on the season. The Wildcats defense has taken part in 728 plays, which ranks 69th in the nation. The Wildcats are surrendering 25.3 PPG, which has them ranked 73rd in Division 1. Over the course of the season, they have conceded 278 points.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Fighting Illini -7.5

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