The UTSA Roadrunners and Illinois Fighting Illini meet Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the UTSA at Illinois odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Texas-San Antonio will challenge for a West Division title in Conference USA, and a big reason is RB Sincere McCormick. Not only is he one of the best tailbacks in C-USA, he is a top-tier talent in the nation. QB Frank Harris is also a dual-threat signal caller who can help the Roadrunners pile up the points.
The Fighting Illini (1-0) already have a game under their belts, easing past Nebraska 30-22 in Champaign last weekend as 6.5-point underdogs.
Illinois won in Bret Bielema’s debut erasing an early 9-2 deficit for the eight-point win. The Illini offense was balanced, posting 167 rushing yards and 159 yards through the air. Illinois was able to get to the quarterback, recording five sacks, while going even in the turnover department.
UTSA at Illinois odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: UTSA +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Illinois -205 (bet $205 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): UTSA +4.5 (-112) | Illinois -4.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 50.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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UTSA at Illinois odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 29, UTSA 26
Money line
Illinois (-205) will cost you over two times your potential return, and that’s risky business against an underrated opponent.
AVOID.
Against the spread
UTSA +4.5 (-112) is a dangerous opponent, and Illinois -4.5 (-108) should not look past the Sun Belt Conference visitors. McCormick is Power 5 quality, and he could gash an Illini defense that yielded 160 yards on the ground last weekend.
I don’t think the Roadrunners have the goods to pull the upset, but it could easily happen in this trap game. After an emotional win over Nebraska, Illinois could easily take its eye off the ball against a non-conference team they feel they might be above.
Over/Under
OVER 50.5 (-112) is the play here. The Illini offense showed a lot of promise last weekend hanging 30 on the visiting Cornhuskers. The Roadrunners of UTSA boast an underrated offensive unit with some big-time stars, and the Roadrunners allowed 25.7 PPG in 2020. We should easily see a total pushing the mid-50’s.
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