Illinois Fighting Illini vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 11/23/2024

Game Time: 12:00 pm ET, Saturday, November 23, 2024

Venue:  SHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ

Where to Watch:  Peacock

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Illinois -1.5, Rutgers +1.5; Over/Under:  48 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Illinois -1, Rutgers +1; Over/Under:  47.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Illinois -1.5, Rutgers +1.5; Over/Under:  48 points

Illinois Fighting Illini:  7-3 (4-3) (5th place, Big Ten)

Rutgers Scarlet Knights:  6-4 (3-4) (9th place, Big Ten)

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Illinois Fighting Illini:  won their last game at home against the Michigan State Spartans 38-16.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights:  won their last game on the road against the Maryland Terrapins 31-17.

Illinois is entering this game with a 7-3 record overall and they have a 4-3 record in their conference games too. They are 6-1 in their home games, 1-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against Michigan State 38-16. Luke Altmyer was the starting QB and he completed 19/32 passes for 231 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Josh McCray led the team in rushing yards with 61 and 3 TDs. Pat Bryant led the receivers with 135 receiving yards on 4 receptions and 1 TD. Mac Resetich led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Seth Coleman led the defense in sacks with 2. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.

 

 

 

Rutgers is entering this game with a 6-4 record overall and they have a 3-4 record in their conference games too. They are 4-2 in their home games, 2-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against Maryland 31-17. Athan Kaliakmanis was the starting QB and he completed 20/30 passes for 238 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Kyle Monangai led the team in rushing yards with 97 and 2 TDs. Dymere Miller led the receivers with 107 receiving yards on 8 receptions and 1 TD. Shaquan Loyal led the defense in that game with 10 solo tackles and 3 assisted tackles while Aaron Lewis led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.

The current betting odds have Rutgers listed as a 1.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Rutgers has looked good in their games this season with their 6-4 record overall which has them bowl eligible, but their 3-4 conference record has them lower in the Big Ten and out of the playoff race. They have looked better in their home games this season with their 4-2 home record and they have also looked a lot better in their games lately, coming off a nice road win over Maryland in their last one. Meanwhile, Illinois has looked really good in their games this season with their 7-3 record overall and they are also ranked inside the top 25, but their 4-3 conference record has them in the middle of the Big Ten and out of the playoff race. They are coming off a big win over Michigan State in their last one, but they were struggling up to that game and haven't looked great lately. They have also struggled a lot more in their road games this year with their 1-2 road record. Rutgers went through their own rough stretch this season, but they have looked a lot better lately and have some momentum on their side from their mini win streak. Rutgers also has a good home advantage with a very tough place to go into and win. Both of these teams value good defense and running the ball, but Illinois has been a different team in their road games this season so the home advantage gives Rutgers the edge here. The best way to place a bet here is on Rutgers to cover the spread in this game. 

Illinois Rutgers Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, November 23, 2024 (12:00 pm ET start time) is Rutgers 21 Illinois 17.

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Illinois Fighting Illini: 9-4 ATS in road lined games. 8-4 ATS off a home win. 12-6 ATS after playing a game at home. 4-1 ATS off a home win against a conference rival. 10-3 1H OVER in road lined games. 7-1 1H OVER when the line is +3 to -3. 14-4 1H OVER after playing a game at home.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights: 4-10 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record. 5-8 ATS after playing their last game on the road. 3-7 ATS in November games. 13-6 OVER in home lined games. 6-3 OVER in a home game where the total is between 42.5 and 49. 10-3 OVER after playing their last game on the road.

Illinois Fighting Illini:  M. Elzy (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. D. Brown (OLB) Questionable - Undisclosed. J. Barna (OLB) Questionable - Undisclosed. D. Rosiek (LB) Out - Leg. K. Feagin (RB) Out - Undisclosed. A. Hollins (WR) Out - Undisclosed. M. Muragin (OLB) Out - Undisclosed. C. Rusk (TE) Out - Knee.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights:  C. Long (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. A. Wright (LB) Out - Undisclosed. T. Needham (OL) Out - Undisclosed. W. Bailey (DL) Out - Undisclosed. V. Konopka (TE) Out - Undisclosed. K. Fletcher (TE) Out - Undisclosed. S. Brown (RB) Out - Leg. B. Felter (OL) Out - Undisclosed. S. Rhodes (OL) Questionable - Undisclosed. M. Toure (LB) Out - Knee.

“This is what we’ve tried to do since we came here five years ago. Change the expectations of what people think of this place and what it is.” - Bret Bielema after his team’s win against MSU in their last game. 

“The whole offense is getting better. Athan is a big part of that.” - Greg Schiano after his team’s win against Maryland in their last game. 

WR Franklin, Zakhari

WR Bryant, Pat 

WR Dixon, Collin 

TE Arkin, Tanner

QB Altmyer, Luke

RB Laughery, Aidan 

WR Long, Chris 

WR Strong, Ian

WR Miller, Dymere 

TE Fletcher, Kenny 

QB Kaliakmanis, Athan 

RB Monangai, Kyle 

Passing: L. Altmyer (2124)

Rushing: J. McCray (391)

Receiving: P. Bryant (717)

Touchdowns: P. Bryant (8)

Passing: A. Kaliakmanis (2128)

Rushing: K. Monangai (1028)

Receiving: D. Miller (645)

Touchdowns: K. Monangai (12)

Coaches:

Illinois Fighting Illini: Bret Bielema (4th season)

Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Greg Schiano (5th season)