Virginia Cavaliers
Free NCAA Football Prediction: Illini vs. Cavaliers Odds
Looking for Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Virginia Cavaliers free picks? College football betting sees the Fighting Illini taking on the Cavaliers on September 11, 2021 at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 2 predictions like this Illinois Virginia free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 2
Illinois Fighting Illini (1-1) vs. Virginia Cavaliers (1-0)
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 11:00 am EST
Venue: Scott Stadium, Charlotteville, VA
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: Virginia -10
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Illinois +296, Virginia -362
NCAA Betting Total Odds: 55
Illinois came back down to earth losing to UTSA last week. A 1-1 start is what was predicted it just came together a little differently.
Virginia was not challenged in their game against FCS William and Mary last week. It will be interesting to see how ready they are for this one.
Two veteran coaches here that like physical football. I would expect this one to be won or lost in the trenches.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois got that opening win over Nebraska in Week 0. That set them up to be favorites last week but they were a popular upset pick last week against UTSA.
It was a loss and a non cover at home against a team from Conference USA. That never sits well but it probably says more about the Roadruners than the Illini. That is a quality team with lots of experience.
QB Brandon Peters was hurt in the opener and replaced by former Rutgers starter Artur Sitkowski. He played well too, 266 yards with 3 TDs and no interceptions.
It was the defense of the Illini that really let them down. The Roadrunners rushed for more than 200 yards against Illinois. The Illini could not run the ball last week and that is how they want to attack.
Virginia Cavaliers
We definitely do not want to read too much into the Cavaliers lone data point of the season. If you are an FBS program and you know what you are doing you are supposed to win big in situations like that.
In the win QB Brennan Armstrong had a very big day, throwing for 339 yards with 2 TDs. He was able to strike for some big plays that will be harder to find with a more evenly matched opponent.
Coach Bronco Mendenhall has to be pleased with the fact that they played a pretty clean game, just 2 penalties and no turnovers. If they can do that again they have the talent to beat Illinois.
They were able to run the ball against the Tribe but really spread around the carries. That makes them harder to prepare for this week. It was a good Week 1 for the Cavaliers but the real season starts now.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Illinois’s last 6 games
- Illinois is 6-17 SU in its last 23 games on the road
- Virginia is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
- Virginia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Free Week 2 NCAA Football Pick
The Cavaliers definitely deserved to be favored but I would have made this game closer to around +7. I am still leaning to the home side but with having to cover more than a TD there is some backdoor risk there.
4* Free Week 2 NCAA Betting Pick: Virginia -10
The Cavaliers are the much more complete team. They might take a little while to get going given the step up in competition but I am confident that they will find some things that work enough to win each half by a score on the way to the cover.
4* Free Week 2 NCAA Betting Pick: Cavaliers -10
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