Wisconsin vs. Illinois NCAA Football Odds
The Wisconsin Badgers are currently ranked No. 25 entering their matchup with the Illinois Fighting Illini. Wisconsin is coming off of a 35-6 beatdown of the then-No. 19 Northwestern Wildcats, while Illinois is dealing with a 39-19 loss to Nebraska in its rearview mirror.
No. 25 Wisconsin (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) @ Illinois (3-2, 0-1 Big Ten)
Saturday, Oct. 19 8:00 PM ET @ Memorial Stadium
Moneyline: N/A
Spread: Wisconsin -10.5
O/U: 57
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These two will face off on Saturday at 8:00pm ET at Memorial Stadium.
Wisconsin
Entering this contest, Wisconsin has a chance to win back-to-back games for the first time since the first two weeks of the year. Arizona State and Ohio State are the only two losses on the schedule thus far, and a favorable schedule the rest of the way gives fans hope after beating Northwestern.
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At this point in the year, Wisconsin has made a name for itself with the running game. The team is just 73rd in the country throwing the ball, but it is fifth (first in the Big Ten) in rushing yards per contest with 298.2 yards per game.
The Badgers can find solace in the fact that Illinois has had trouble defending the run, especially in losses.
As much as the Wisconsin offense will be looking forward to this matchup, the defense will have its work cut out for it. Through five games, the Fighting Illini are averaging 36 points per contest and have established a passing game that is good enough for 281.4 yards per game.
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Nathan Scheelhaase is the conference’s No. 1 quarterback in terms of efficiency, and putting pressure on him has to be a focus for the Badgers’ defense.
Illinois
Where Illinois is going to struggle is in defending the run. The passing attack will get work done on Saturday, as the team has the fifth-highest yards-per-game average in the Big Ten, but the Illini will have more than just one person to focus on when they’re on defense.
For Wisconsin, James White, Melvin Gordon, Jared Abbrederis and Joel Stave have the potential to break off big plays at any moment.
Wisconsin has had the edge in this matchup in recent history, but Illinois should consider that it is 4-1 (against Wisconsin) in the last five times the Badgers had a three-game win streak (against Illinois). Additionally, the Illini have kept the past two meetings close even if they haven’t been able to win.
If Illinois is going to stand a chance, the game must be won with offense, and it has to be done through the air.
While Illinois is in a situation where every game counts, it’s the Badgers who have more to play for. As a nationally ranked team, Wisconsin has a legitimate chance of contending in the Big Ten.
The problem is that Ohio State doesn’t look as if it will win anytime soon, further motivating this Badgers squad to play their best week in and week out.
Score Prediction: Wisconsin 37 – Illinois 24
