Illinois Fighting Illini (3-5) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-3)
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers 11/4/23 – At Week 10 of the NCAAF season, Illinois Fighting Illini are poised to meet Minnesota Golden Gophers, currently sitting at 5-3 and promising an intriguing game on November 4, 2023. Fans and bettors are in for an exhilarating Big Ten showdown slated for 3:30 PM ET kickoff at Huntington Bank Stadium televised live by BTN; handicappers anticipate an intense Big Ten showdown that could turn out as one of the handicapper’s favorite picks of the week due to its complex play and potential upset potential.
Illinois Fighting Illini have had difficulty this season, yet have some standout players that could help turn around their fortunes. Kaden Feagin has been an impressive presence in the backfield, averaging an impressive 4.9 yards per rush attempt and reaching the end zone twice. His ability to break tackles and burst of speed could prove dangerous to Minnesota Golden Gophers’ defense. Wide receiver Isaiah Williams has also had an impactful season by collecting 46 receptions for 562 yards at 12.2 average catch rate with one long reception of 49 yards showing his big-play potential which Minnesota must respect.
Minnesota Golden Gophers possess their own notable playmakers as well. Darius Taylor has been making waves for Minnesota this season with 591 rushing yards at an impressive average of 5.7 yards per carry and four touchdowns; his longest run has reached 43 yards! Additionally, wideout Daniel Jackson has proven a reliable target, collecting 36 receptions totaling 507 yards with six touchdowns to his credit and 14.1 average yards per reception for Minnesota.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers 11/4/23 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 3:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Huntington Bank Stadium |
| TV: | BTN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Luke Altmyer QB vs. Athan Kaliakmanis QB
Luke Altmyer of Illinois has had a challenging season with 151 completions out of 239 attempts, accumulating 1671 passing yards. Despite a 63.2% completion rate and 10 touchdowns, his 9 interceptions and 29 sacks show areas of vulnerability. Altmyer’s decision-making under pressure will be crucial against Minnesota, as his passer rating of 128.2 suggests that when given time, he can be quite effective. His longest pass of the season stretches 49 yards, indicating his ability to connect on big plays downfield.
Conversely, Athan Kaliakmanis of Minnesota has a completion rate of 54.6% from 100 completions on 183 attempts. Although he has passed for fewer yards (1123) and touchdowns (7), he shares a similar interception count with Altmyer. Kaliakmanis has been taken down 14 times this season, resulting in 78 sack yards lost. With a passer rating of 111.2, he’ll need to exploit the Illini defense’s weaknesses to gain an upper hand.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Minnesota Golden Gophers -126, Total Odds: 43.5
The odds are narrowly in favor of the Minnesota Golden Gophers with a -2 point spread at a -110 payout, reflecting their slightly better record and home-field advantage. The total points are set at 43.5, with equal -110 odds on the over and under, suggesting expectations of a balanced contest between offense and defense.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends
The betting trends for Illinois are somewhat concerning, with the team going 1-8 against the spread (ATS) in their last 9 games. However, they have a better ATS record on the road, standing at 9-3 in their last 12 away games. This dichotomy presents a challenging evaluation for bettors, as it’s clear Illinois can perform against the odds when not at home.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends
Minnesota, while 10-4 straight up (SU) in their last 14 games, have only covered the spread 3 times in their last 9 attempts. Their performance at home is more promising, as they are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games at Huntington Bank Stadium. When playing against Illinois at home, the total has gone UNDER in 4 of the last 5 matchups, a trend that could influence bettors leaning towards the total points bet.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers 11/4/23 Betting Picks
After delving into the statistics and betting trends, this game appears ripe for a tight contest. Illinois, with their road ATS record, could very well cover the spread, but Minnesota’s home-field advantage and superior SU record cannot be overlooked. In terms of the over/under, the historical tendency of these teams to go UNDER when playing against each other, especially at Minnesota, points to a lower-scoring game.
For those looking at the top NCAAF free picks today, there is value on both sides. Illinois could upset, given their ATS record on the road, but Minnesota’s consistent home performance might edge them out. For prop bets, looking at the running backs on both sides to score could be enticing, given their importance to their respective offenses.
Free Pick and Prediction: Minnesota Golden Gophers 24, Illinois Fighting Illini 20