Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 11/02/2024

Game Time: 12:00 pm ET, Saturday, November 2, 2024

Venue:  University of Illinois Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL 

Where to Watch:  Fox Sports 1

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Minnesota -3, Illinois +3; Over/Under:  45 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Minnesota -3, Illinois +3; Over/Under:  45 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Minnesota -3, Illinois +3; Over/Under:  45.5 points

Minnesota Golden Gophers:  5-3 (3-2) (7th place, Big Ten)

Illinois Fighting Illini:  6-2 (3-2) (5th place, Big Ten)

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Minnesota Golden Gophers:  won their last game at home against the Maryland Terrapins 48-23.

Illinois Fighting Illini:  lost their last game on the road against the Oregon Ducks 38-9.

Minnesota is entering this game with a 5-3 record overall and they have a 3-2 record in their conference games too. They are 4-2 in their home games, 1-1 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 Maryland 48-23. Max Brosmer was the starting QB and he completed 26/33 passes for 320 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Darius Taylor led the team in rushing yards with 81 and 1 TD. Daniel Jackson led the receivers with 117 receiving yards on 9 receptions and 2 TDs. Cody Lindenberg led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 5 assisted tackles while no one on the defense recorded a sack for them. Justin Walley and Koi Perich each came away with 1 interception for them in that one.

 

 

 

Illinois is entering this game with a 6-2 record overall and they have a 3-2 record in their conference games too. They are 5-0 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 at home for this game. They lost their last game against Oregon 38-9. Luke Altmyer was the starting QB and he completed 17/35 passes for 161 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Aidan Laughery led the team in rushing yards with 69. Zakhari Franklin led the receivers with 72 receiving yards on 6 receptions. Xavier Scott led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 0 assisted tackles while Gabe Jacas led the defense in sacks with 1. Tyson Rooks came away with the only interception for them in that one.

The current betting odds have Illinois listed as a 3 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Illinois has looked really good in their games this season with their 6-2 record overall and their 3-2 conference record. Their conference record has them in the middle of the Big Ten with no real chance at getting to the Big Ten Championship, but their 2 losses were against Penn State and Oregon who are both 2 of the best teams in the nation. They have looked great in their home games this season too with their 5-0 home record. Meanwhile, Minnesota has looked good in their games this season with their 5-3 record overall and their 3-2 conference record. They haven't really had a tough schedule though and a majority of their games have been at home too. They are only 1-1 in their road games and the only 2 teams they have faced this season that were ahead of them in the conference were both losses. Minnesota doesn't have a great offense and they will struggle to move the ball against this Illinois defense that has looked great all season. Illinois is also coming off a loss to the 1st ranked team in the nation so they will be looking to bounce back now that they are back at home. The best way to place a bet here is on Illinois to cover the spread in this game. 

Minnesota Illinois Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, November 2, 2024 (12:00 pm ET start time) is Illinois 20 Minnesota 13.

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Minnesota Golden Gophers: 4-0 ATS after scoring 37 points or more last game. 6-3 1H ATS when the line is +3 to -3. 4-0 1H ATS after scoring 37 points or more last game. 7-3 UNDER off a win against a conference rival. 6-3 UNDER after a win by 17 or more points. 3-0 UNDER after 3 or more consecutive straight up wins.

Illinois Fighting Illini: 3-7 ATS in a home game where the total is between 42.5 and 49. 3-9 ATS after playing their last game on the road. 0-6 ATS versus poor rushing teams - averaging 120 rushing yards/game or less. 20-12 UNDER in all lined games. 11-4 UNDER as an underdog. 5-1 UNDER vs. good defensive teams who give up 17 or less points/game.

Minnesota Golden Gophers:  D. Green (DB) Questionable - Undisclosed. N. Jones (TE) Questionable - Undisclosed. Q. Redding (WR) Out - Undisclosed. P. Walsh (TE) Questionable - Leg. J. Williams (OL) Out - Undisclosed. J. Simpson (TE) Questionable - Undisclosed. C. Driver (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. R. Sunram (DL) Out - Undisclosed. S. Macy (DL) Out - Undisclosed. J. Wright (RB) Out - Undisclosed. S. Seidl (CB) Out - Undisclosed.

Illinois Fighting Illini:  P. Bryant (WR) Probable - Head. M. Moller (OL) Questionable - Undisclosed. D. Brown (OLB) Questionable - Undisclosed. K. Feagin (RB) Out - Undisclosed. A. Hollins (WR) Out - Undisclosed. M. Muragin (OLB) Out - Undisclosed. C. Rusk (TE) Out - Knee.

“You keep him back there clean, he can do what he just did.” - P.J. Fleck after his team’s win against Maryland in their last game. 

“I thought our guys really took that to heart and did some things, we just couldn't capitalize. Any time you have two or three opportunities when you walk away zero points inside the red area, you're not going to win many games, let alone against the No. 1 team in the country.” - Bret Bielema after his team’s loss against Oregon in their last game. 

WR Spencer, Elijah 

WR Brockington, Le'Meke 

WR Jackson, Daniel 

TE Geers, Jameson 

QB Brosmer, Max 

RB Taylor, Darius 

WR Franklin, Zakhari

WR Bryant, Pat 

WR Dixon, Collin 

TE Arkin, Tanner

QB Altmyer, Luke

RB Laughery, Aidan 

Passing: M. Brosmer (1776)

Rushing: D. Taylor (513)

Receiving: D. Jackson (568)

Touchdowns: D. Taylor (9)

Passing: L. Altmyer (1667)

Rushing: K. Feagin (306)

Receiving: P. Bryant (510)

Touchdowns: P. Bryant (7)

Coaches:

Minnesota Golden Gophers: P.J. Fleck (8th season)

Illinois Fighting Illini: Bret Bielema (4th season)