Two squads that posted identical records a year ago, the Fighting Illini of Illinois (-17) are set to welcome the Akron Zips (+17) to Memorial Stadium. BTN will broadcast the action and kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Akron Zips vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
Akron is a big road underdog in this game and is currently being given 17 points. In order to take the home favorite, moneyline gamblers would currently have to lay down $1,200 to win $100 back on the Fighting Illini (-1200). The Zips are getting +710 moneyline odds. If one team can create a bunch of points early it’ll produce a solid in-game betting scenario. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 58.5 points.
The early action has slanted in the direction of both the Fighting Illini and the over. The opening line was initially -16 while the game’s O/U was originally pegged at just 56.5.
Against the spread (ATS) last year, the Zips went 5-7. The over cashed in four of those matchups while the under hit in eight. The Fighting Illini compiled an ATS record of 5-7 with an O/U record of 7-5.
Both schools recorded 4-8 straight up (SU) campaigns last season. When playing against conference foes, the Zips were 2-6 SU while the Fighting Illini were 2-7 SU versus Big Ten schools. Both schools finished 2-1 SU against non-conference competition in 2018.
The Zips averaged 193.1 passing yards per game and 85.0 rushing yards per game against their eight in-conference opponents last year. The team managed to score 16.4 points per game against those opponents while giving up 28.9 per contest. When playing out-of-conference competition, those figures improved across the board, as they averaged 24.0 points and 23.8 points-allowed, along with 211.3 pass yards per game and 115.8 rush yards per game.
Against out-of-conference competition in 2018, the Fighting Illini passed for 165.3 yards per game and rushed for 243.0 per game on their way to 28.0 points per outing. When facing only Big 10 opponents, the offensive unit registered 25.3 points per game by averaging 165.8 passing yards and 243.0 rushing yards. The Fighting Illini defense allowed 21.0 PPG to non-conference foes and 45.6 to Big 10 teams.
Akron Zips vs. Illinois Fighting Illini NCAA Tip
SU Winner: Illinois, ATS Winner: Illinois, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The Zips created five rushing touchdowns last season.
- The Fighting Illini put up 25 rushing touchdowns last season.
- The Zips logged 2.9 yards per carry last season while allowing 4.5 yards per rush attempt to opponents.
- The Fighting Illini ran for 5.9 yards per carry last season and allowed a YPC of 6.0 to opponents.
- The Zips recorded 16 passing touchdowns last season.
- The Fighting Illini only threw for 10 passing touchdowns last season.
