Illinois Fighting Illini vs Western Michigan Broncos Picks and Predictions September 13th 2025

Illinois Riding High Early in the Season

Illinois football is enjoying its best start in decades, breaking into the top 10 of the national rankings for the first time in 24 years. Sitting at No. 9, the Fighting Illini will conclude non-conference play on Saturday night when they host Western Michigan in Champaign.

Illinois (2-0) has looked the part of a contender, cruising past Western Illinois in its opener and then earning a 45-19 road victory at Duke. The Illini pulled away in the second half behind a sharp offensive performance and a defense that forced five turnovers, including four fumbles. Fans following college football previews have started to see Illinois emerge as a program to watch.

Quarterback Luke Altmyer has been highly efficient, completing 39 of his 52 passes for 513 yards and six touchdowns without an interception. Running back Kaden Feagin, a 6-foot-3, 255-pound converted quarterback, has added power to the backfield with 122 rushing yards and two scores.

Focused on Staying Grounded

Head coach Bret Bielema is making sure his team does not overlook the challenge ahead despite the attention that comes with being in the top 10. With the Big Ten opener against No. 22 Indiana looming, Bielema insists Illinois is focused on the task at hand.

“Western Michigan is a very good team,” Bielema said. “We know we’re going to get their best shot. Every week is an opportunity to improve.”

For Illinois fans and bettors keeping track of NCAAF scores and odds the Illini have the tools on both sides of the ball to continue their strong start.

Western Michigan Searching for First Win

Western Michigan (0-2) is still chasing its first victory of 2025. The Broncos suffered a tough 33-30 overtime loss to North Texas after leading by 10 points in the fourth quarter. In their opener, they fell 23-6 at Michigan State.

Coach Lance Taylor is looking for more consistency, stressing that his team needs to play a complete game. Running back Jalen Buckley, a former 1,000-yard rusher, carried the load with 112 yards on 30 attempts against North Texas. Quarterback Broc Lowry added two rushing touchdowns, but the passing game has produced limited results so far.

The Broncos’ defense has been a bright spot, generating seven sacks in their first two games. That pressure could test Illinois’ offensive line in this matchup. Bettors considering college football picks will want to see if Western Michigan’s defense can create enough disruption to keep the contest competitive.

Series History and Expectations

Illinois holds a 4-2 lead in the all-time series, though Western Michigan stunned the Illini 34-10 in Champaign back in 2016. With Illinois carrying its highest ranking since 2001, when it finished the regular season with seven straight wins and earned a Sugar Bowl berth, expectations are high once again.

As Bielema emphasizes, the Illini can’t afford to look past any opponent. Western Michigan will bring energy and motivation as it looks to spoil Illinois’ rise. For those following the action through NCAAF team pages and monitoring expert handicappers this matchup offers storylines on both sides.

Betting and Handicapping Insights

Illinois enters as the heavy favorite, with momentum, efficiency, and a balanced attack. The Broncos will need to lean on their running game and defense while hoping for improvement through the air.

Fans looking to get an edge on this matchup can explore the buy picks marketplace or review the top handicappers leaderboard for expert insight before placing wagers.