The Minnesota Golden Gophers (0-2 overall, 0-2 Big Ten) visit the Illinois Fighting Illini (0-2, 0-2), which have been ravaged by COVID-19 protocols. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Minnesota-Illinois college football betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Minnesota at Illinois: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 9 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Minnesota -271 (bet $271 to win $100) | Illinois +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
- Against the spread/ATS: Minnesota -7 (-115) | Illinois +7 (-106)
- Over/Under: 61.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Minnesota at Illinois: Three things to know
- The Illini have been hit hard by COVID-19, missing 14 players in last week’s 31-24 home loss to Purdue due to positive tests and contact tracing. They covered as 9.5-point underdogs thanks to a 14-0 fourth-quarter. At least 12 players, including QB Brandon Peters and PK James McCourt, are expected to miss Saturday’s contest. Fourth-string QB Coran Taylor could make his first career start – he played the majority of the Purdue game (273 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions) after third-stringer Matt Robinson injured his ankle on the Illini’s first possession. Robinson’s status is unknown as of Thursday.
- Minnesota blew a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter of a 45-44 overtime loss at Maryland last week. The Gophers gave up 675 total yards, including 281 on the ground, to the Terps. A bright note for Minnesota was RB Mohamed Ibrahim, who ran for 207 yards (on 41 carries) and tied the school record with 4 rushing touchdowns. The Gophers will be without defensive coordinator Joe Rossi Saturday as he tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week.
- The Gophers have won four of the their last five vs. the Illini, including a 40-17 rout in Minneapolis last year. The Illini are 19-15-1 at home in the series, including a 55-31 victory in 2018.
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Minnesota at Illinois: Odds, predictions, betting lines and picks
Prediction
Minnesota 35, Illinois 24
Money line (ML)
AVOID. The Gophers (-271) should win against the undermanned Illini, but the price is a bit high. Plus, it’s definitely not worth the risk considering how Minnesota fell apart in the final quarter last week.
Against the spread (ATS)
MINNESOTA -7 (-115) is the STRONGEST PLAY – 1½ times your usual wager. With Illinois short-handed, Minnesota should be able to build a decent lead and will be determined and focused to shut the door in the final quarter following last week’s debacle. The Gophers defense is a concern, but the Illini will struggle to run the ball with the personnel they have available.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the UNDER 61.5 (-110). This number is too high for these two. Minnesota has enough offensive weapons to score in the 30’s, but Illinois doesn’t.
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| Johnny’s 2020 CFB record / Strongest plays | 7-7 / 3-2 |
| 2020 overall record (all sports) | 131-101-3 |
| Strongest plays (all sports) | 66-38-1 |
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