The Wyoming Cowboys open the season Saturday against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET (BTN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Wyoming vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Cowboys were hit hard by defections via the transfer portal, including star RB Xazavian Valladay, who is now at Arizona State. Wyoming must start anew under center, too, losing productive WR Isaiah Neyer to Texas. It will be a slow go for the Pokes early on.
The Fighting Illini turn to former Syracuse starting QB Tommy DeVito to try and snap a streak of 10 consecutive seasons with a losing record. Illinois made some strides down the stretch, and new offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. is a good add to Bret Bielema’s staff.
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Wyoming at Illinois odds
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 5:04 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Wyoming +370 (bet $100 to win $370) | Illinois -520 (bet $520 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Wyoming +10.5 (-105) | Illinois -10.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 43.5 (O: -117 | U: -103)
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Wyoming at Illinois picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 25, Wyoming 12
Money line
Illinois (-520) is expected to be a little better this season, and should challenge for bowl eligibility. Wyoming (+370) was crushed by the transfer portal, and have a lot of big shoes to fill. Look for the Illini to get off to a quick start in this one, the 1st-ever meeting between these universities.
However, risking more than 5 times your potential return isn’t a recommended strategy normally, but especially on a team like the Illini, which has had limited success recently.
AVOID.
Against the spread
Take ILLINOIS -10.5 (-115), not so much because the Illini will be a powerhouse, but because Wyoming +10.5 (-105) is expected to struggle out of the gate.
The Illini pushed as a double-digit favorite last season against Charlotte, winning 24-14 as a 10-point fave on Oct. 2. The last time the Illini won as a double-digit fave was Nov. 2, 2019, against Rutgers 38-10. They’re actually 3-1 ATS since the start of the 2019 campaign as a favorite of 10 or more points.
Over/Under
The UNDER 43.5 (-103) is the lean in this matchup, but play it lightly.
In this day and age of college football, playing Unders in risky business. But Wyoming is going to struggle to move the chains, and Illinois isn’t exactly an offensive juggernaut.
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