The University of Illinois Fighting Illini (7-3, 4-3 Big 10) are on the road to take on the No. 3 University of Michigan Wolverines (10-0, 7-0 Big 10) at Michigan Stadium on Saturday for a matchup that pits stifling defense against great offense. The Wolverines are 18-point favorites, and the total is 42.
Illinois is coming off a 31-24 loss at the hands of Purdue at Memorial Stadium last Saturday. Tommy DeVito threw for 201 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Chase Brown ran 23 times for 98 yards and two touchdowns. He added three receptions for 32 yards. Brian Hightower caught five passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.
Michigan won for the 10th straight game last Saturday, beating Nebraska 34-3 at Michigan Stadium. J.J. McCarthy was 8 of 17 for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Blake Corum carried 28 times for 162 yards and a touchdown. Ronnie Bell also scored once. He caught four receptions for 72 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since October 2019, a 42-25 win for the Wolverines.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Fighting Illini are averaging 24.7 points per game for the season, 89th in FBS, and they are facing a Wolverines defense that has surrendered 11.2 PPG (1st). Meanwhile, Michigan has scored 41.4 points a game this season, fifth in the nation, and Illinois is allowing 12.5 PPG (3rd).
The Fighting Illini rank 86th in the country in passing yards per game (218.6) and 40th in rushing (183.5). They will face a tough test, as the Wolverines are fourth in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (160.1) and No. 1 against the run (72.7).
Michigan has been one of the country’s top rushing teams, averaging 251.4 yards per game (4th), while ranking 95th in passing yards (208.9). Illinois’ defense has been equally impressive on the ground, as the Fighting Illini are 6th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (85.9). Against the pass, the Fighting Illini are 5th (161.0).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through 10 games, Tommy DeVito has thrown for 15 touchdowns (3 INT) and 208.3 yards per game to lead Illinois in passing. In three away games this season, he has four TDs (1 INT) and an average of 192.7 yards passing.
Chase Brown leads the team in rushing with an average of 144.2 yards a game over 10 games. He has seven touchdowns on the ground and two through the air. Isaiah Williams is the Fighting Illini’s leading receiver with 55.3 yards a game and five TDs.
J.J. McCarthy has 14 passing touchdowns (2 INT) with 174.4 yards per game through 10 games to lead Michigan. In seven home games this season, he has thrown for eight TDs (1 INT) and an average of 162.0 yards.
Blake Corum has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 134.9 yards a game through 10 games. He has 18 total touchdowns, 17 rushing and one receiving.
Ronnie Bell has been the primary target in the Wolverines’ passing game. He has two touchdowns and a 59.7 yard per game average through 10 appearances.
HOME AND AWAY
Michigan is unbeaten at home this season.
SportsTips’ College Foottball Pick:
Illinois +17.5 (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
