Rutgers Scarlet Knights @ Illinois Fighting Illini | Week 9 Game Preview

When: Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 12:00 PM ET

Where: Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois

How: Big Ten Network

Spread: Rutgers -2

Total: 42

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Rutgers Spotlight

The Rutgers Scarlett Knights have been in miserable form lately, dropping their last 4 games, averaging just 11.5 points per game, while allowing 31 points per game. It’s been even uglier for them on the road, losing 11 of their last 13 games on the road, while going 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games facing an opponent with a losing record. They have played some strong competition, but they weren’t even competitive in those games.

Illinois Spotlight

The Illinois Fighting Illini are coming off a massive upset over the Penn State Nittany Lions, as they outlasted the Nittany Lions in overtime for the victory and the ATS cover as 24.5 point underdogs! The Fighting Illini actually have been thriving as underdogs where they’ve gone 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games as underdogs, and 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games as home underdogs. Add in to the mix that they’ve played tough versus Big Ten competition, going 4-1 ATS in their last 5 conference games.

Final Say

Sure, the Fighting Illini are coming off a huge victory over the Nittany Lions, and could be viewed as having the potential of riding a little too high up in the clouds coming into this one, but their defense just held a strong offense to 18 points, in a game that went to over time. Now they get to face an offense that has been averaging 11.5 points per game lately. The Fighting Illini have been winning the turnover battle with a +5 turnover differential in their last 5 games, compared to the Scarlet Knights -4 differential. Illinois has won 3 straight versus Rutgers by an average of 18 points per game, and I expect them to continue that streak.

Pick: Illinois Fighting Illini +2