Michigan Wolverines vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction, 10/19/2024 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Michigan Wolverines vs Illinois Fighting Illini

Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024

Location: Memorial Stadium in Champaign, IL

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Fighting Illini (+1.5)

Total/Over-Under: 43.5

The Illinois Fighting Illini (5-1) will take on the Michigan Wolverines (4-2) at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Michigan opens this contest as 1.5-point favorites. The over/under comes in at 43.5.

The Michigan Wolverines head into this matchup 4-2 for this season. In their last matchup, the Wolverines faced off with the Washington Huskies and ended up losing by a score of 27-17. The Michigan Wolverines ran the ball 37 times and tallied 174 yards, which came out to an average of 4.7 yards per attempt. In all, they had 62 plays which gave them a total of 287 yards. Michigan relinquished 23 completions on 33 tries for 315 yards, and a completion rate of 69.7%. Against the run, the Wolverines gave up 114 yards on 35 attempts, which is 3.3 yds per run allowed.

Concerning getting in the endzone, the Michigan Wolverines are averaging 23.5 points per game. As a unit they are averaging 191.3 yards on the ground which has them sitting 39th in the country. The Wolverines have tallied 1,838 total yards for the year. When it comes to scoring touchdowns, Michigan has amassed 6 touchdowns via the pass and 9 touchdowns on the ground. Michigan has compiled 95 first downs as a unit, and they have been hurt by 29 infractions for 288 yards. They have surrendered the ball 12 times.

When it comes to yards through the air, the Wolverines have given up 1,559 yards which puts them in 106th in the nation. They have relinquished 259.8 yards per game via the pass as well as giving up a completion percentage of 62.0%. Over the course of this season, they have yielded 336.2 yards/contest which puts them 44th in Division 1. They have yielded 12 touchdowns through the air in addition to 4 touchdowns via the ground game. Opposing teams are running for an average of 2.9 yards per tote and 76.3 rushing yards per contest so far this season. Overall, they have given up 458 running yards through 6 games. The Wolverines are ranked 57th in D-1 in terms of team defense, giving up 22.3 PPG.

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The Fighting Illini step onto the field holding a record of 5-1 for this year. When they last stepped on the gridiron, the Fighting Illini got the win with a final of 50-49 when they played the Purdue Boilermakers. The Fighting Illini finished the contest with a total of 556 yards while they ran 73 plays (7.6 yds per play). Illinois rushed the football for 4.5 yds per attempt, totaling 177 yards on 39 attempts. Illinois gave up 32 run attempts for 239 yds (7.5 yds per rush). The Fighting Illini passing defense gave up a completion percentage of 69.2%, relinquishing 297 yards on 18 for 26 passing.

Regarding how much they score, the Fighting Illini are ranked 50th in D-1 averaging 31.0 points per game. The Illinois Fighting Illini hold an average of 382.0 yards/contest, which is good for 76th in D-1. The Illinois offense has racked up 271 yards of penalties on 35 violations, which is 86th in college football in terms of hurting your team. They have thrown 1 interceptions while losing 5 fumbles and they have been able to record 131 first downs. For the season thus far, the Fighting Illini have racked up 1,455 yards through the air together with holding an average of 242.5 passing yards per contest, ranking them 58th in the country. They have an average of 139.5 run yards per game and have run for 837 yards for this season.

The Fighting Illini are relinquishing 20.0 points per game, which has them 32nd in Division 1. Illinois has surrendered a total of 895 yards rushing (149.2 yards per game) and 5 touchdowns via the rush so far this year. This season, they have given up 120 total points. They have surrendered 8 touchdowns via the pass as well as 197.3 yards per contest, which puts them in 43rd in Division 1. The Fighting Illini defense has been on the field for 372 plays, which ranks them 35th in college football. Their defense has earned 3 fumbles recovered and 7 picks on the year.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Fighting Illini +1.5

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