Illinois vs Northwestern Prediction, Preview, and Betting Lines: Can the Illini Take Back the Rivalry?

Northwestern was having a great year before this one.

It seemed like almost everything went right for the Wildcats in the last few games of the season. They were hot and on their way to a bowl game. Their 45–43 win over Illinois was the cherry on top.

Now it is the other way around; they have lost four of their last five games, including games against Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin, by a total of 144-30. Since this is the last game of the season, beating Illinois would have to be enough to win.

Illinois, on the other hand, got back on track after a short slide with two straight wins, making it four wins in the last six games.

If Illinois wins this game, they will almost certainly get to play in a special bowl game. This is because so many Big Ten teams are likely to make it into the expanded CFP.

Illinois vs Northwestern: How to Watch and Game Preview

Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
How To Watch: Big Ten Network
Venue: Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium, Evanston, IL
Teams: Northwestern (4-7), Illinois (8-3)

Why Illinois Will Win

The Northwestern offense has lost its way. It can not move the chains, has one of the worst first-down offenses in the country, and does not have a passing game that can clear the field.

In the last eight games, the ground game has only gained 100 yards six times. This is because the blocking is not very good. Illinois has had trouble with run defense in the past, but not this time.

Why Northwestern Will Win

Can Northwestern’s run defense show up?

Illinois has, for the most part, been a passing team with QB Luke Altmyer coming up with a terrific run. It’s not that the Illini can’t run, but it’s not dominant.

Without the offense to keep up, Northwestern has to own the tempo, keep the score low, and be great against an Illinois ground game that has to be held well under five yards per pop. Northwestern is 0-7 when diving up over 90 yards on the ground and …

Illinois vs Northwestern: Who Will Win?

They are going to run for at least 90 yards.

The Illinois team is not always reliable, but it works well and is fine when it does not go wrong. Can Northwestern make a lot of turnovers? Illinois is 1-3 when they turn the ball over more than once and 7-0 when they don’t.

Northwestern has not had more than one turnover since the middle of October, and that was in a loss to Wisconsin.

They will grind it out if it is really, really cold.