Florida Atlantic Owls (1-2) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (1-2)
Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 9/23/23 – Both the Florida Atlantic Owls and the Illinois Fighting Illini will look to get their season back on track as they each sit at a 1-2 record. This NCAAF Week 4 contest is set to take place on September 23, 2023, at Memorial Stadium and will be broadcast on BTN at 3:30 PM ET.
The Owls have been receiving notable contributions from running back Larry McCammon, who has 148 rushing yards and a touchdown so far this season. Wide receiver LaJohntay Wester has also been a standout, racking up 264 receiving yards and a touchdown.
On the Illinois side, running back Reggie Love III has been a driving force on the ground, with 163 rushing yards and a touchdown. Isaiah Williams, while yet to find the end zone, has accumulated 213 receiving yards and looks to be a key playmaker for the team. For free expert NCAAF picks, continue reading our analysis.
Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 9/23/23 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 3:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Memorial Stadium |
| TV: | BTN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Casey Thompson QB vs. Luke Altmyer QB
Casey Thompson, the quarterback for the Florida Atlantic Owls, has put up respectable numbers thus far, completing 50 of his 79 pass attempts for 509 yards. With a completion rate of 63.3%, Thompson has shown some accuracy, but his 5 touchdowns are equally offset by 5 interceptions. These turnovers highlight a crucial issue with Thompson’s decision-making, which can be costly in tight games. Despite these lapses, Thompson’s ability to launch deep balls, as evidenced by his longest pass of 72 yards, offers a threat that Illinois will need to contain. The big question going into this game is whether Thompson can limit turnovers while exploiting the Illini’s defensive vulnerabilities.
On the other side of the field, Luke Altmyer will be taking snaps for the Illinois Fighting Illini. Altmyer has similarly decent statistics, completing 52 of his 82 attempts for a total of 571 yards. While his completion rate of 63.4% is marginally higher than Thompson’s, his 3 touchdowns are dwarfed by a concerning 7 interceptions. These turnovers can’t be ignored, especially when facing an Owls’ defense eager to change the momentum of the game. Furthermore, Altmyer has been susceptible to sacks, having been brought down 9 times this season for a loss of 45 yards. His ability to cope with pressure, both in terms of pass-rush and game situation, will be pivotal for Illinois’ offensive performance and could significantly impact the game’s outcome.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Illinois Fighting Illini -625, Total Odds: 45.5
The Illinois Fighting Illini are clear favorites here, with a Moneyline of -625 and a spread of -15. The total over/under is pegged at 45.5. Given the recent performance of both teams, the spread and Moneyline appear to reflect the Illini’s home-field advantage more than anything else.
Florida Atlantic Owls Betting Trends
The Owls have struggled recently, both outright and against the spread, going 1-4 ATS and 1-4 SU in their last 5 games. The total has consistently gone OVER in 5 of their last 6 games, indicating their defense’s struggles. They also have an abysmal 1-8 SU record in their last 9 road games and an equally disheartening 0-8 SU record against Big Ten opponents.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends
Illinois isn’t faring much better against the spread, standing at 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games. The team is also 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games, suggesting that home-field advantage hasn’t been particularly beneficial for them. However, the total has gone UNDER in 8 of their last 9 games played in September, aligning with the under-betting trend.
Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 9/23/23 Betting Picks
Based on both teams’ recent performances and betting trends, this game might be closer than the odds suggest. While Illinois is the favorite, their recent struggles at home and against the spread indicate that taking Florida Atlantic with the points could offer value.
If you’re considering prop bets or over/under wagers, the trend towards low-scoring games for Illinois and high-scoring affairs for Florida Atlantic could make the total of 45.5 a tricky proposition. However, given the vulnerabilities in both defenses, taking the OVER might be worth considering. If you’re seeking more guidance on prop bets and other betting options, don’t forget to check out reliable free sports picks.
Free Pick and Prediction: Illinois Fighting Illini 28, Florida Atlantic Owls 20.