Michigan vs. Illinois Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Heisman Candidate Blake Corum, Michigan Run Over Illinois?
Michigan vs. Illinois Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Heisman Candidate Blake Corum, Michigan Run Over Illinois?
The Illinois Fighting Illini will head out on the road to take on the Michigan Wolverines in a Week 12 Big Ten matchup.
A few weeks ago, some analysts thought this matchup would be a Big Ten Championship matchup.
But the Fighting Illini have now lost two straight games and are in danger of losing three straight on the road against Michigan. Illinois no longer controls its destiny in the Big Ten West.
However, Michigan controls its destiny in the Big Ten East. They're currently undefeated and need to win out over ranked opponents such as Illinois and then Ohio State next weekend.
Can Michigan cover a 17.5-point spread against a Big Ten-ranked opponent on Saturday?
Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Saturday's game between the Michigan Wolverines vs. Illinois Fighting Illini.
Think Heisman candidate Blake Corum and Michigan can run over Illinois this Saturday? Just click here to go to our free bets page to claim over $5,000 worth of sports betting bonuses for Michigan vs Illinois and any other NCAAF Week 12 game!
Michigan vs. Illinois Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
- Date: November 19, 2022
- Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ABC
Michigan vs. Illinois Odds
- Spread: Michigan -17.5 (-110), Illinois +17.5 (-110)
- Total Odds: O/U 44.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Michigan (-950), Illinois (+700)
Click here for Michigan vs Illinois Odds
Michigan vs. Illinois Injury Report
Illinois
Questionable: RB Chase Brown (Leg) Out: WR Shawn Miller (Undisclosed), DB Tahveon Nicholson (Concussion)
Michigan
Out: TE Erick All (Undisclosed), QB Cade McNamara (Knee)
Michigan Wolverines vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction
Illinois has had a solid run this season. They've won seven games on the year and are still in contention to play in the Big Ten Championship.
The Fighting Illini has already earned 402.2 yards per game with 24.7 points per game. They're led by Tommy Devito, who transferred from Syracuse. He's thrown 15 touchdowns and three interceptions and has a QBR of 72.2.
Devito has done well, limiting turnovers. Meanwhile, the run game has been excellent this year, with Chase Brown getting the bulk of the carries. Brown has rushed for 1,442 yards with seven touchdowns. He's averaged 5.2 carries on 280 carries. Last week, he had 23 rushes for 98 yards and two more touchdowns. But he's currently questionable with a lower leg injury. That would sting if he missed some time.
Meanwhile, the Illinois defense has looked tremendous this year, holding teams to 246.9 yards per game. Offenses have averaged 161 yards in the passing game and just 85.9 yards in the run game.
However, they've allowed at least 23 points in each of their last two games, resulting in losses.
On the other hand, J.J. McCarthy has been just as good as Devito in limiting turnovers. He's thrown 14 touchdowns and just two interceptions on the season. McCarthy has a 79.5 QBR and usually makes the right reads.
Michigan, like Illinois, is much better in the ground game. Blake Corum has rushed for 1,349 yards and 17 touchdowns on 227 carries. He's been elite as a runner and is currently a Heisman candidate.
Michigan has averaged 460.3 yards per game, with 251.4 yards coming on the ground. You can thank Corum.
On defense, the Wolverines have allowed just 232.8 yards per game. Like Illinois, Michigan has been elite defensively, allowing just 11.2 points per game.
Illinois allows just 12.5 points per game this season.
Both teams are built to run the football and earn a ton of stops. Michigan's offense is a little bit more consistent, but overall, the expectation is that the defenses will step up and force the clock to continue to run.
Let's back the Under.
Michigan Wolverines vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Pick
- Under 44.5 (-110). Bet $100 to Collect $190.
Article Author
Jason grew up an avid sports fan. His passion for sports writing grew in high school and he developed a blog that was strictly for New York Sports. From his work, you will quickly realize that he loves looking at games from an analytical and numbers perspective and hopes to provide you with that same perspective in his articles.