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The No. 21 Illinois Fighting Illini (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) welcome the No. 22 Michigan Wolverines (4-2, 2-1) to Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday (CBS). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Michigan vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Illinois is No. 21 and Michigan is No. 22 in the US LBM Coaches Poll.
The Fighting Illini are coming off one of the most thrilling Week 7 games in which they beat Purdue 50-49 in overtime, failing to cover as a 22.5-point home favorite. Illinois is 4-1-1 against the spread (ATS) on the season and 2-1 ATS in conference play. It lost 21-7 to No. 3 Penn State on the road in its game before that Week 7 battle.
Michigan is coming off its 2nd loss of the season before their bye week. In Week 6, it lost 27-17 to the Washington Huskies on the road, failing to cover as a 1.5-point underdog. The Wolverines are 1-5 ATS on the season and 1-2 ATS in conference play. They have uncharacteristically allowed 24 or more points in 4 of their last 5 games.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
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Michigan at Illinois odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated at 9 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Michigan -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Illinois +160 (bet $100 to win $160)
- Against the spread (ATS): Michigan -4.5 (-110) | Illinois +4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 44.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Michigan at Illinois picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 27, Michigan 21
Moneyline
BET ILLINOIS (+160).
Illinois struggles with run defense, and that was clear against Purdue. However, the Boilermakers had the ability to pass, and Michigan doesn’t. The Wolverines had just 113 passing yards against Washington, and that inability will allow Illinois to stack the box. The Fighting Illini are 4-0 at home and 2-1-1 ATS. They have a huge road win over Nebraska on their resume as well.
Michigan is 0-1 on the road and lost to an unranked Washington side. This is just its 2nd road game, and it has yet to top 30 in a single game this season, suggesting it may struggle to keep pace with a high-octane Illinois offense.
Put it all together and take the risk the Fighting Illini keep their strong play alive. Back ILLINOIS (+160).
Against the spread
PASS.
While Illinois has a playable spread, the risk is there to take it on the moneyline instead. The Fighting Illini to win outright is the suggest play here.
Over/Under
BET OVER 44.5 (-110).
The Wolverines have gone Over in 3 straight games, scoring 27 or more in 3 of their last 4 as well. Their defense has struggled to keep teams off the board, allowing 24 or more in 3 straight.
With Illinois, it has scored at least 30 in 3 of its last 4 and is 2-1 O/U in Big Ten play. While it allowed 26 points through its first 3 games, Illinois has allowed at least 21 in 3 straight games. Expect those issues defensively to continue.
Back OVER 44.5 (-110).
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