Illinois Fighting Illini at Indiana Hoosiers Betting Preview/Prop Picks
02 September 2022
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Illinois 79.974; Indiana 87.042
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 7; 43
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 4 ½; 48
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-4 ½); Under
Big Ten Conference rivals meet up on Friday night as the Indiana Hoosiers host the Illinois Fighting Illini. The Big Ten is wasting no time in having conference rivals meet up, and it should set up for a great battle in Week 1 of the college football season.
Illinois comes into this game with a 1-0 record as they were able to get the season started in Week 0. The Fighting Illini blasted Wyoming at home last Saturday, but they are facing a much tougher challenge in this matchup.
Indiana is hoping to bounce back quickly after a disappointing 2021 season that saw them go just 2-10 overall and 0-9 in Big Ten action. The Hoosiers are always a threat to win at home, especially in the season opener.
The Indiana Hoosiers are 4.5-point betting favorites over the Illinois Fighting Illini on Friday night.
Fighting Illini Want to Run
Illinois running back Chase Brown is one of the best in the country, and he had 151 rushing yards and three touchdowns in Week 0. The Fighting Illini want to run the football, and good offensive line play will be a key.
Quarterback Tommy DeVito is also going to have to play well in this game, as Illinois must find some balance. It’s hard to win Big Ten Conference football games by simply trying to run it all game long.
The Illinois defense is a veteran group, and they are looking to have a big game in this one also. This unit recorded no sacks against Wyoming but also kept the Cowboys out of the end zone.
Indiana Must Find Defense
The Indiana Hoosiers were dreadful on defense a season ago, giving up over 33 points per game. There is some veteran presence on that unit, and stopping the run would be a good way to get this game under control.
Jack Tuttle is back for his fourth season as quarterback at Indiana, but it might not be his job to begin the year. Missouri transfer Connor Bazelak is also in the mix for the job, and he would provide a huge spark to an offense that needs one.
Indiana will have to run the football to give this offense a chance to extend drives, but that was a struggle a year ago. The Hoosiers are going to have to hit on some big plays, or it could be a long night.
Hoosiers Use Home Crowd to Get Win
There is no love lost between Illinois and Indiana, and the environment for this game should be tremendous to see. Illinois comes into this game with some momentum, but that can change quickly on the road in the Big Ten Conference.
Illinois is going to be able to run the football in this game, but they are also trying to look for more balance on offense. Indiana should be a much better overall team in 2022, and they have some new pieces that are going to make a big difference on Friday night.
Bet the Indiana Hoosiers -4.5 as they take care of business at home and cover the spread against Illinois.
Prop Picks
Illinois (-110) UNDER 22.5 Points
Illinois averaged 20.2 points per game on offense last season, which ranked No. 111 in FBS. That average decreased to 16.0points per game on the road.
With Dunkel predicting an Indiana win by the score of 25-18,take the Fighting Illini (-110) to finish UNDER their Vegas teamtotal of 22.5 points against the Hoosiers.
Connor Bazelak (-115) UNDER 189.5 Passing Yards
Indiana averaged 177.0 passing yards per game last season, which ranked No. 110 in FBS. That average decreased to 149.2yards per game at home.
With Dunkel predicting the final score staying UNDER the Vegas point total, take Bazelak (-115) to finish UNDER 189.5 passing yards versus Illinois.
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