The Big 10’s second-leading passer, Wes Lunt (2,520 yards, 14 TDs), and the Illinois Fighting Illini meet third-leading rusher, Justin Jackson (1,172 yards, 3 TDs), and the No. 17 Northwestern Wildcats. This rough season has shown no signs of improvement for Illinois (5-6). In recent weeks, it has lost four of its last five. The game starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov 28 and will air on ESPU.
Illinois was defeated by Minnesota 32-23 last week. Malik Turner had a big game in the loss, totaling 11 receptions for 126 yards and one TD. Wes Lunt also had a big day, contributing 279 yards and two TDs through the air. Northwestern is hoping for another victory like last week’s performance, when it beat Wisconsin 13-7. Justin Jackson had an outstanding performance on the ground for the Wildcats, rushing for 139 yards and one TD on 35 carries.
Northwestern is a slim three-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable.
Heading into Week 13 of the college football season, the Fighting Illini are 5-6 for both Straight Up (SU) and Against The Spread (ATS). In the past five games, Illinois is 1-4 for both SU and ATS. The Fighting Illini utilize their passing attack frequently. They pass 43.4 times per game, which is the fourth-most in the nation. Turning to the Fighting Illini defense, a few key spots could be deciding factors this week. The Fighting Illini have the 23rd-best pass defense in the nation and give up 187.4 yards per game through the air.
On the other side, the Wildcats have 9-2 SU and 7-4 ATS records this season. In the previous five games, Northwestern has a record of 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS. The Wildcats like to keep the ball on the ground. On average, they run 46.3 times per game. Switching gears to the Northwestern defense, it has some favorable matchups that it may be able to take advantage of as well. The Northwestern defense has allowed just 121.5 rush yards per game this season, 18th in the nation.
Predictions: SU Winner – Northwestern, ATS Winner – Northwestern
Notes
Illinois is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games.
Illinois is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Illinois’s last 10 games.
Illinois is 5-10 ATS in its last 15 games when playing Northwestern.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Illinois’s last 5 games when playing Northwestern.
Northwestern is 8-0 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. Illinois is 4-0 SU when leading after three quarters.
Illinois is only 1-2) SU in games where it wins the turnover battle, yet 4-1 SU when losing the turnover battle.
Since the start of last year, Illinois is only 5-10 SU against Big 10 opponents, while Northwestern is 8-7 SU against in-conference foes.
The Northwestern run defense is ranked 18th nationally, and will look to contain the 110th-ranked rushing attack of Illinois.
