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USATSI

The Illinois Fighting Illini will try to improve on their best season in 15 years when they hit the road to face the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines in a Big Ten game on Saturday at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Illini (7-3, 4-3 in Big Ten) are in a four-way tie for first place in the crowded West Division and are looking for their first eight-win season since the Rose Bowl year of 2007. Meanwhile the Wolverines (10-0, 7-0) are in the thick of the College Football Playoff race. One week after facing Illinois, Michigan takes on rival Ohio State in one of the biggest games of the college football season. 

Kickoff is noon ET. The Wolverines are 17.5-point favorites in the latest Michigan vs. Illinois odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 41.5. Before making any Illinois vs. Michigan picks, you need to see the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past six-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Michigan vs. Illinois and locked in its picks and CFB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several college football odds and betting lines for Illinois vs. Michigan:

  • Michigan vs. Illinois spread: Wolverines -17.5
  • Michigan vs. Illinois over/under: 41.5 points
  • Michigan vs. Illinois money line: Wolverines -800, Illini +550
  • MICH: The Wolverines lead the country in scoring defense (11.2 points per game).
  • ILL: Chase Brown ranks second in the nation in rushing yards per game (144.2).
  • Michigan vs. Illinois picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why Michigan can cover

Michigan has one of the most productive running backs in the country in Blake Corum. The 5-foot-8 junior from Marshall, Va., leads the nation in total touchdowns (18) and ranks fifth in rushing yards per game (134.9). Led by Corum, the Wolverines lead the Big Ten and rank fourth in the country in rushing yards per game (251.4).

In addition, Michigan is one of the least penalized teams in the country while Illinois is one of the most. The Wolverines rank fourth in the FBS in penalty yards per game (34.0). Meanwhile the Illini are 119th (69.1).

Why Illinois can cover

Illinois has one of the best defensive backs in the country in Devon Witherspoon. A 6-foot junior from Pensacola, Fla., Witherspoon is the highest graded cornerback in the nation and is tied for the national lead in forced incompletions (14) with Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry, according to Pro Football Focus. Led by Witherspoon, the Illini lead the country in interceptions (17) and passing efficiency defense (90.37).

In addition, Illinois has a stout defensive tackle duo in Johnny Newton and Keith Randolph Jr. Newton and Randolph have combined for 68 pressures this season, which is the most in the nation among any interior defensive line tandem. Newton also leads the country in quarterback hits (18).

How to make Illinois vs. Michigan picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting a combined 48 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the model's CFB picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Michigan vs. Illinois? And which side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its college football picks, and find out.