While it may not have the hype of Ohio State-Oregon, two ranked Big Ten teams will collide for the second straight week when the No. 24 Michigan Wolverines (4-2, 2-1) visit Champaign to take on the No. 22 Illinois Fighting Illini (5-1, 2-1).
Illinois survived a scare last week against Purdue, winning 50-49 in overtime despite holding a 24-3 halftime lead. Michigan is coming off a bye following their 27-17 Week 6 defeat at Washington in a CFP National Championship Game rematch.
Let’s prepare for Saturday’s Big Ten battle by examining the latest betting odds before digging into my Michigan vs Illinois prediction and best bets.
Michigan vs Illinois Odds
College football odds are current as of Tuesday, Oct. 15, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Michigan (-148) vs Illinois (+124)
- Spread: Michigan -3 (-115) vs Illinois +3 (-105)
- Over/Under: Over 43.5 (-112) / Under 43.5 (-108)
Michigan vs Illinois Prediction
Michigan 27, Illinois 23
The Wolverines are handing the ball to their third different starting quarterback, seventh-year senior Jack Tuttle, who sparked the offense in the team’s loss at Washington.
Tuttle completed 10 of 18 passes for 98 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed for 14 yards and lost a fumble. It wasn’t a perfect performance, but the 25-year-old orchestrated three scoring drives after taking over from Alex Orji, who led the Wolverines to just one first down on their opening three possessions.
Michigan will still be a run-first offense, but Tuttle at least gives them a threat through the air that opposing defenses will have to respect. And after watching the Illinois defense surrender 40 second-half points against a 1-5 Purdue team, it’s hard to say that that won’t make a significant difference.
Sportsbook Play of the Day
Michigan vs Illinois Best Bets
Over 43.5 Points (-112)
This number feels too low.
Michigan’s defense gets a lot of respect, but this unit isn’t as talented as it was last year. The Wolverines have conceded at least 24 points in each of their Big Ten games, and Illinois has a solid passing attack led by QB Luke Altmyer, who has 14 touchdown passes and one interception on the season.
As long as Altmyer is afforded enough time to get the ball to star wide receivers Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin, Illinois should contribute some points.
Back this game to go Over its relatively modest total as one of your best college football bets today.
Michigan ML (-148)
I’m not usually one to pay the juice on the moneyline, but doing so with the Wolverines feels like a wise investment.
Sherrone Moore’s squad is 1-5 against the spread this season but 4-2 on the moneyline. Plus, its two victories in Big Ten play have come by exactly three points, so there’s a decent chance this spread pushes.
I like leaning into the variance with Michigan starting Tuttle, especially since he should give the non-existent passing game a boost.
