Minnesota vs. Illinois Prediction: Odds, Expert Picks, QB Matchup, How to Watch, Betting Trends and Stats

The No. 24 Illinois Fighting Illini will host the red-hot Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday afternoon in a showdown between two storied Big Ten teams.

Last week, Illinois suffered its second loss of the season (6-2) to Oregon, 38-9. The loss came nearly a month after the Illini lost to Penn State 21-7. The Illini have four wins remaining, but losing to two of the Big Ten’s top three teams on the road won’t help the selection committee when the College Football Playoff is called.

Minnesota is 5-3 and winners of three straight games and five of its last seven. Minnesota beat Maryland (48-23) at home after beating UCLA (21-17) and USC (24-17). The Golden Gophers are playing only their third road game of the season. Minnesota is 1-1 with a four-point win over UCLA (21-17) and a three-point loss at Michigan (27-24). Three of Minnesota’s last four games will be on the road.

NBC Sports has all the latest information and analysis you need, including how to tune in for kickoff, odds from BetMGM, news and player updates, and of course, our predictions and the best bets for the game from our experts.

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Game details and how to watch Minnesota @ Illinois

• Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024
• Time: 12:00 pm EST.
• Venue: University of Illinois Memorial Stadium.
• City: Champaign, Illinois
• TV/Streaming: FOX

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Minnesota @ Illinois odds

Latest odds as of Monday afternoon:

O Money line: Minnesota -125, Illinois +105
O Spreading: Minnesota -2.5 (-105)
O General: 45.5 points

*odds provided by BetMGM

The spread opened at Illinois -2.5 and a total of 45.5, but only the total remains available. Sharps quickly stunned Minnesota and turned the Golden Gophers from +2.5 to -2.5 with some key numbers. Minnesota has played four games in a row and won three of them, while Illinois has come out swinging and lost as an underdog on the road at Oregon.

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) has the following best odds for Saturday’s matchup between Minnesota and Illinois:
“Even though Minnesota has been on a hot streak of four games in a row lately (winning three) and is 4-0 in ML and ATS as the favorites this season, I was still surprised to see them as a slight favorite on the road.

Illinois is a 4-1 underdog this season, so both teams have done well at those positions. However, just because Illinois lost to Penn State and Oregon, the season isn’t over and I don’t think this team will go away.

The Fighting Illini can win their remaining four games to reach 10-2 and earn an additional shot at the College Football Playoff. This week and next week will be the last home games for Illinois, so give me the Illini both weeks starting at +2.5 and ML (+105) against Minnesota, a team they have beaten in three straight games.”

BetMGM College Football Roundup: Heisman Trophy

Line movement (open, current)

• Dillon Gabriel +800, +240
• Travis Hunter +3500, +250
• Cam Ward +20000, +300
• Ashton Ginty +5000, +450

Highest percentage of tickets

• Travis Hunter 16.8%
• Niko Yamaleava 8.8%
• Cam Ward 8.5%

Highest processing percentage

• Travis Hunter 31.1%
• Ashton Jeanty 11.4%
• Cam Ward 9.0%

Biggest Responsibility

• Travis Hunter
• Ashton Ginty
• Niko Yamaleava

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Minnesota vs. Illinois quarterback matchup

• Minnesota: Max Brosmer posted a 12-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 1,776 passing yards this season, which was a big surprise for Minnesota. The senior QB hit a career-high 69.5%. Brosmer completed more than 62 percent of his passes over the last two seasons with New Hampshire and passed for a combined 6,613 yards.
• Illinois: Luke Altmeyer has 15 touchdowns and three interceptions, but he threw two of them last week at Oregon. Altmeyer has back-to-back games under 200 yards passing, but his 1,667 passing yards on the season are almost equal to his 1,883 passing yards for Illinois last season.

Golden Gophers @ Fighting Illini player news and recent statistics

• Minnesota has a 40-33-1 record against Illinois with a 16-20-1 road record.
• Illinois has won three straight games against Minnesota.
• Illinois is 5-3 ATS this season, including a 2-2 ATS and 4-0 ML record at home.
• Illinois has a 4-1 ATS record as an underdog this season and a 3-2 ML record.
• Illinois is 6-2 against the Minors this season, while Minnesota is 4-4.
• Minnesota is 6-1-1 this season and has won four straight games.
• Minnesota is a 4-0 ATS and 4-0 ML favorite this season, including two straight wins over the past two weeks.
• Minnesota QB Max Brosmer posted a season-high 320 passing yards and four touchdowns on 26-of-33 (78.8%) against Maryland.
• Minnesota’s Daniel Jackson and Elijah Spencer each scored two touchdowns last week while also recording at least 99 yards.
• Illinois QB Luke Altmeyer recorded his second game of the year without a touchdown and his second straight game with under 200 passing yards.

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• Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
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• Eric Froton (@CFFroton)