Northwestern Wildcats at No. 24 Illinois Fighting Illini (-10), Total 51 |
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Northwestern has captured wins in six of its last eight meetings with Illinois, with an average margin of victory of 12.3 points in its six wins. The Wildcats won their last trip to Memorial Stadium, a 21-16 victory in 2009 as six-point underdogs.
Saturday’s game will likely mark the return of quarterback Dan Persa, who missed the last three games, recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. He has 2,805 career passing yards and was 7-3 as a starter in 2010.
The offensive line returned four starters from a year ago, as the 137 total combined starts was the second-highest among all teams nationally.
Offensively, the team has eight rushing touchdowns coming from five different players. Wide receiver Jeremy Ebert is also a weapon on the outside with 1,502 career receiving yards.
The program is known for playing close games, posting a 20-9 mark in games decided by seven points or less under Pat Fitzgerald since the 2006 season.
Sportsbooks bettors will find that the Wildcats are 36-17 ATS as a underdog of 3.5 to 10 points, while being 6-10 ATS in conference action.
Illinois is 4-0 for the first time since 1951 and has won five in row dating back to last season. The Fighting Illini rank fifth nationally in rushing defense, allowing a Big Ten-best 56.5 yards per game.
The stop unit has also not allowed a point following the team’s six turnovers this season, while forcing nine miscues and scoring 27 points of their own. Illinois has converted 18-of-19 red zone opportunities this year, scoring 12 touchdowns and kicking six field goals.
Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase is a star and ranked 16th nationally in passing efficiency, while he has also thrown 17 touchdowns and just three interceptions in his last 11 games.
Head coach Ron Zook loves the running game and the program has averaged 206.7 yards per game since he stepped on campus in 2005, which is best in the Big Ten over that span, just above Wisconsin’s 200.9.
College football bettors will find that the Fighting Illini are 1-5 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points, while the ‘under’ is 4-2 in those games.
