Free Week 8 Prediction: Fighting Illini vs Golden Gophers Odds
Looking for Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Minnesota Gophers free picks? Week 8 betting sees the Illini taking on the Gophers Saturday October 21st at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football predictions like this Illinois Minnesota free pick.
College Football Handicapping: Week 8
(2-4) Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-3)
Date: Saturday, October 21st
Time: 3:30 pm EST
Venue: TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota
NCAA Football Spread: Minnesota -14
NCAA Betting Total: 48
Live CFB Odds
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The Gophers and the Illini have really struggled this year both losing 3, and 4 games each. They both have also struggled in Big 10 play as well, with the Gophers not yet winning a conference game.
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PJ fleck is looking to win his first game in the Big Ten as he plays the Illini. While Lovie Smith is also trying to turn it around in Illinois and right the ship with his 2-4 team.
Illinois Illini
The Illini have really struggled to score the ball, only averaging 18 points a game and not moving the ball well. All while giving up almost 500 yards a game and giving up 30 points a game.
This combination will have to be changed if they want to win this game away from home. The quarterback play has been really bad and the only formidable offense that they have is the running game which will have to be really good on Saturday.
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Lovie Smith is looking for his first Big Ten win this year as they are 0-3. This will be a really tough road game to make this happen and move forward trying to turn the program around.
Minnesota Gophers
Conor Rhoda leads the Gophers out onto the field as they are trying to capture their first Big Ten win as well. He has not played great halfway through the season but is Minnesota’s best option to throw and run the option.
We should see the ground game to get established because of how bad the throwing game has been. It will be interesting to see if the run blocking gets better as the season moves on.
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Minnesota has also been banged up and they are trying to get the O-Line healthy for the stretch run. This season has flown by but PJ fleck is giving valuable playing time to young guys.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- Over is 6-2 in ILL last 8 conference games.
- ILL are 8-20 ATS in their last 28 road games.
- Over is 7-3 in ILL last 10 games as an underdog.
Free Week 8 NCAA Football Pick
This game is a true toss-up so I am going to give this to PJ Fleck and the home team. I think Fleck will win his first Big Ten game and get a big win for the program moving forward trying to change the culture there.
4* Free NCAA Betting Pick: Illinois +14
Minnesota should also be able to cover the points in this one as well. Because of how bad the defense is of Illinois I do not believe they will be able to stop the running game.
The only chance the Illini have is if they are able to get the Gophers to turn over the ball and get the Gophers confused. Leave it to Lovie Smith to do this, but I don’t think he will have enough talent to execute.
Week 8 Free Score Prediction: Illinois 21 – Minnesota 31
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