On Saturday, the Michigan Wolverines will be looking to extend their winning ways when they visit Illinois for their Week 7 Big Ten clash against a Fighting Illini team that will be looking to get back in the win column following their loss the last time out. With both teams going all out for the win in this one, let’s find out which Big Ten title hopeful is offering the best value against their College Football odds in this matchup.
Michigan vs Illinois 2019 College Football Week 7 Spread & Expert Analysis
- When: Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 12:00 PM ET
- Where: Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois
- TV: ABC
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
- College Football Week 7 Odds: Michigan -22.5 / Total: 49
Weather Forecast
- Sunny: 9°C/48°F
- Humidity: 44%
- Precipitation: 1%
- Wind: 14 mph WSW
- Cloud Cover: 1%
- Type of Stadium: open
Why Bet On Michigan?
The Wolverines look good in this one because they some momentum having won two straight including their uneventful 10-3 win over Iowa last weekend to move to 11-0 over their last 11 home games. Another good reason to back Michigan is because they’ve won four straight over Illinois including an emphatic 41-8 smackdown last season as a 39.5-point home favorite. Last but not least, the Wolverines have an elite defense that limits the opposition to just 16.0 points pe game while Illinois gives up 28.4 points per contest defensively.
“We’re right where we want to be as we’re getting better, learning and growing every single week,” Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson told reporters. “We’re all trusting the process and we think it’s going to take off.”
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 28
- Total Yards:
- Pass Yards: 238.60
- Rush Yards: 128.40
- Average Score Against: 16
- Total Yards:
- Pass Yards: 154.20
- Rush Yards: 134.60
Why Bet On Illinois?
The best reasons to back Illinois in this one is because they average more points per game than Michigan and are playing at home in this Week 7 Big Ten battle. The bad news is that the Fighting Illini have dropped three straight including a dismal 40-17 loss at Minnesota last weekend. To make matters even worse is the fact that starting quarterback Brandon Peters, who spent the previous two seasons at Michigan, may not play in this one after leaving the game against the Golden Gophers with concussion-like symptoms.
“He’s getting better and we’re hopeful because we’ll need everyone to beat a team like Michigan,” Illinois coach Lovie Smith told reporters. “When you do move to your next option at the quarterback position, then others have to pick up their game.”
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 31.80
- Total Yards:
- Pass Yards: 190.20
- Rush Yards: 163.20
- Average Score Against: 28.40
- Total Yards:
- Pass Yards: 240.20
- Rush Yards: 186.60
College Football Week 7 Betting Trends for Michigan vs Illinois
- Michigan are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games
- Michigan are 14-3 SU in their last 17 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Michigan’s last 7 games
- Illinois are 4-8 ATS in their last 12 games
- Illinois are 3-9 SU in their last 12 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Illinois’ last 6 games
Michigan vs Illinois Expert Analysis and Prediction
While I’m not real fond of the high point spread in this matchup, I’m going to urge you to back the Michigan Wolverines to get the win and ATS cover, seeing as how Illinois looked completely awful against Minnesota last weekend and may not have their starting quarterback under center in this affair.
The Road team in this Big ten battle has gone 5-2 ATS in their last 7 meetings while Michigan has gone 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win. Illinois is just 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games against an opponent with a winning record and the Fighting Illini don’t look like they stand a chance in this matchup even though Michigan clearly isn’t that explosive offensively.
Pick: Michigan 35 Illinois 10
