Free NCAA Football Prediction: Panthers vs. Sycamores Odds
Looking for Eastern Illinois Panthers vs. Indiana State Sycamores free picks? College football betting sees the Panthers taking on the Sycamores on Saturday, August 28 at Memorial Stadium, Terre Haute, Indiana. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 1 predictions like this Eastern Illinois Indiana State free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 1
(0-0) Eastern Illinois Panthers vs. Indiana State Sycamores (0-0)
Date: Saturday, August 28th 2021
Time: 6 pm EST
Venue: Memorial Stadium, Terre Haute, Indiana
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: Panthers +13.5 | Sycamores -13.5
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Panthers +470 | Sycamores -700
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 50.5
The Indiana State Sycamores will host the Eastern Illinois Panthers to kick of their 2021 season. The Panthers went 1-5 during the shortened season, while this will be the Sycamores first game in 644 days.
HISTORY: Indiana State defeated Eastern Illinois at home in 2019, 16-6.
Eastern Illinois Panthers
Eastern Illinois finished last in the Ohio Valley Conference last year. They begin the season with three road contests, before they host in-state rival Illinois State for their home opener.
Head coach Adam Cushing will be entering his third season after posting a 2-16 record during his first two years in Charleston. Every loss has been by multiple scores but two.
Otto Kuhns ended the season as the starter, and he’s the favorite to open the year at the helm. In four games of action, Kuhns threw for 509 yards and five touchdowns to four interceptions.
Jaelin Benefield returns after leading the with 258 rushing yards. In 12 games in 2019 Benefield totaled 706 all-purpose yards, 39 catches and six touchdowns.
Sophomore Demetrius Garrett Jr. led the team in receiving 241 yards, while Jay Vallie led the team in catches (18) and touchdowns (3).
The Panthers struggled defensively, giving up 33.5 points per game during spring ball.
Indiana State Sycamores
Indiana State opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sycamores finished third in the Ohio Valley Conference with a 5-7 record in 2019.
Curt Mallory will enter his fourth season at the helm, and he’s 12-22 with a winning season in 2018.
Junior Kurtis WIlderman returns after a solid 2019 season. He threw for 1,170 yards and six touchdowns to four interceptions, and he won his final two starts of the season.
Peterson Kerlegrand will lead the backfield for a second season. The senior back ran for 746 yards, three scores and caught 19 passes out of the backfield.
Junior wideout Dante Hendrix returns after leading the Sycamores in receiving during the last two seasons and he caught 51 passes for 653 yards and two touchdowns. Cornell transfer Phazione McClurge and tight end Zach Larkin should also give Eastern Illinois’ trouble.
Indiana State gave up 22.8 points per game defensively, but they only scored 19.5 points per game offensively.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
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Free Week 1 NCAA Football Pick
Indiana State couldn’t have asked for a better matchup to return to play. Eastern Illinois has only won two games in the past two seasons, and the Sycamores should take full advantage.
4* Free Week 1 NCAA Betting Pick: Indiana State -13.5
After missing over 600 days of action, Indiana State will naturally need to shake off some rust. Despite not playing last season, they still have an advantage in experience and talent on the offensive end. Eastern Illinois’ quarterback situation is shaky, and the lack of playmakers is glaring.
Look for the Panthers to kick off their season with a home victory. Bet on Indiana State to cover their -13.5 spread confidently.
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