No. 20 Minnesota has bounced back from a shocking loss to Bowling Green by winning four straight games. The Golden Gophers have used that momentum to climb inside the Top 25 and they will try to push that winning streak to five games on Saturday. Illinois was unable to build on its thrilling win over Penn State, falling to Rutgers at home last week.
Kickoff is set for noon ET. The Golden Gophers are 14.5-point favorites in the latest Minnesota vs. Illinois odds at Caesars Sportsbook, while the total is 44. Before entering any Illinois vs. Minnesota picks, you'll want to see the college football predictions from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,700 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also enters Week 10 of the 2021 season on a 28-15 run on all top-rated college football side picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Minnesota vs. Illinois. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several college football odds for Illinois vs. Minnesota:
- Minnesota vs. Illinois spread: Minnesota -14.5
- Minnesota vs. Illinois over-under: 44 points
What you need to know about Minnesota
Minnesota has lost three running backs to season-ending injuries, but that has not stopped the Golden Gophers from ranking second in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game (222.1). Freshmen Mar'Keise Irving and Ky Thomas are both averaging more than five yards per carry. Quarterback Tanner Morgan has been efficient, ranked fifth in the conference in yards per pass attempt.
Morgan is facing an Illinois defense that has struggled this season, allowing 402.1 yards per game. The Illini are giving up more than 160 rushing yards per game, so Minnesota's rushing attack should continue to prosper. Minnesota is better on both sides of the ball and Illinois has not been good on the road in recent years.
What you need to know about Illinois
Meanwhile, Illinois was within a late touchdown of getting the victory, but the Fighting Illini took the loss against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 20-14 last week. Quarterback Brandon Peters put forth a good effort for the losing side as he passed for two touchdowns and 190 yards on 19 attempts. Near the top of the highlight reel was Peters' 52-yard TD bomb to Isaiah Williams in the second quarter.
The Fighting Illini's season has often been defined by how well they've established the run. In losses to Wisconsin and Rutgers, they rushed for just 133 yards combined but in recent wins over Penn State and Charlotte they rushed for 796 yards combined. Chase Brown rushed for over 200 yards in both the aforementioned wins, so getting him going early will be critical against Minnesota.
How to make Illinois vs. Minnesota picks
The model is leaning over on the total, and it also says one side of the spread hits over 50 percent of the time. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Minnesota vs. Illinois? And which side of the spread hits well 50 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to back, all from the model that has crushed its college football picks.
