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Game Preview Northwestern @ Illinois
The Illinois Fighting Illini will try to close the regular season on a high note Saturday night when they host the Northwestern Wildcats at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. Both teams enter at 4-4 in Big Ten play, and while Northwestern already secured bowl eligibility at 6-5, Illinois (7-4) is seeking a momentum win to cap a season that many feel could’ve delivered more.
Illinois has shown flashes of offensive balance behind quarterback Luke Altmyer, but losses in three of their last five—including a 27-10 defeat at Wisconsin—have raised concerns about their offensive line and inability to respond against elite fronts.
Northwestern is coming off a thrilling 38-35 win over Minnesota, where quarterback Preston Stone delivered a perfect second half and kicker Jack Olsen nailed the game-winning field goal. The Wildcats may be underdogs, but they’re trending in the right direction.
Find more Big Ten rivalry previews in the college football picks section.
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Odds and Key Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Spread | Illinois -7.0 |
| Moneyline | Illinois -258 / Northwestern +209 |
| Total (O/U) | 47.5 |
| Location | Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL |
| Time & Date | Saturday, Nov. 29, 7:30 PM ET |
| TV Coverage | FOX |
Check updated odds and line moves at the NCAAF scores and odds page.
Northwestern Outlook
The Wildcats have exceeded expectations under coach David Braun. A 6-5 record, bowl eligibility, and a balanced offense have turned a rebuilding year into one of optimism.
Quarterback Preston Stone earned Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors after completing all 15 of his second-half passes against Minnesota. He’s now thrown for over 2,100 yards with a 66.8% completion rate this season.
Running back Caleb Komolafe has carried the load on the ground with 886 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, while Griffin Wilde has hauled in 755 receiving yards and 6 scores. Defensively, Northwestern ranks top-25 nationally in both sacks (17) and interceptions (8), creating consistent disruption.
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Illinois Outlook
While the Fighting Illini boast a 7-4 record, they’ve dropped three of their last five and have been outscored 105-37 in their last four losses. Last week’s game at Wisconsin saw Illinois outrushed 209-50 and sacked five times.
Still, quarterback Luke Altmyer remains a bright spot. He’s completed 68.1% of his passes for 2,675 yards, 21 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. The offense ranks 33rd in first downs and has averaged nearly 250 passing yards per game.
On defense, Illinois ranks 4th nationally in interceptions and tends to play well at home, as evidenced by their 5-1 home record and recent 24-6 win over Maryland.
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Key Matchup Table
| Matchup | Edge |
|---|---|
| Passing Offense | Illinois |
| Rushing Offense | Northwestern |
| Offensive Line Play | Northwestern |
| Turnovers Forced | Illinois |
| Quarterback Play | Even |
| Home Field Advantage | Illinois |
Betting Trends
- Illinois is 22-5 SU as a favorite in its last 27 games.
- Illinois is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 as a favorite.
- Northwestern is 3-0 O/U as an underdog in 2025.
- The total has gone over in 4 straight Northwestern games.
- Illinois is 11-2 SU at home since 2024.
- Northwestern is 6-0 SU in its last 6 games as a favorite.
- The over has hit in 8 of Illinois’ last 14 games.
- Northwestern is 1-3 ATS in road games this season.
- Illinois has won 3 of the last 4 meetings in Champaign.
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Prediction
Illinois has the stronger resume and has been excellent at home, but Northwestern enters with more momentum and a quarterback playing at a high level. If Stone is able to handle Illinois’ secondary and Komolafe finds space on the ground, the Wildcats can keep it close.
That said, Illinois’ dominance as a favorite and their ability to force turnovers should help them control the tempo late.
Projected Score: Illinois 31, Northwestern 21
Spread Pick: Illinois -7.0
Total Lean: Over 47.5
Find more rivalry game forecasts at our NCAAF betting page.
Why You Need Expert Picks
When in-state rivalries like Illinois vs Northwestern come with bowl implications and emotional stakes, public betting often misses key trends. That’s where expert picks shine—analyzing not just data, but motivation, coaching, and matchup dynamics.
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