Prediction, Preview, and Betting Lines for Illinois vs. Rutgers

After beating Minnesota and Maryland, Rutgers no longer has to worry about making it to a bowl game.

The team is playing well, like Rutgers always does when things are going well, so now it is time to have fun. The team does not do anything crazy, but if you like tough fights, they play fun games.

It looks like Illinois will keep rolling to wins.

If it wins out, they might have a chance at a ten-win season. The last one was in 2001, and there have only been three in the past 133 years. They need to win here, at Northwestern, and in the bowl game.

There is some good stuff going on with the passing game and the defense. Head coach Bret Bielema has put together a nice run.

Illinois vs Rutgers: How to Watch and Game Preview

Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
How To Watch: Peacock
Venue: SHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ
Teams: Rutgers (6-4), Illinois (7-3)

Why Illinois Will Win

Illinois is the type of team Rutgers doesn’t want to deal with – it doesn’t screw up.

The Scarlet Knights win by controlling the tempo, winning the turnover battle, and not getting penalized.

They do all the little things right. Illinois is in the top ten in America in fewest penalties and penalty yards, and while turnovers were a little bit of an issue in the losses to Oregon and Minnesota, there’s just ten on the season.

Rutgers isn’t going to throw its way to a win, Illinois just has to be okay on the ground and should be able to average close to five yards per carry, and …

Why Rutgers Will Win

Illinois can lose if they can not stop the run.

This season, Illinois’s production has gone to a whole new level thanks to the growth of quarterback Luke Altmyer and the passing attack. But the team wins when it runs the ball well.

Illinois is 6-0 when it runs for at least 135 yards and 1-3 when it doesn’t. But here’s the strange thing…

The Rams do well when their teams run well. It has a 4-1 record when giving up more than 135 yards. When it bends but does not break, it does okay. The Illini should slow down as it loads. It will run the clock and keep the score low, and…

Illinois vs Rutgers: Who Will Win?

Can Illinois get a run going? Rutgers is not set up to make a big comeback. This needs to stay in this range.

Last week, Rutgers led early, kept it close, and then took over late. It led early against Minnesota, kept it close, and then took over late.

It was down 21-3 in the first half against USC and never came back. It was down 28-0 against Wisconsin and never came back. Illinois scores 68 points in the first quarter, which is their best.