A key Week 1 battle has the visiting Ball State Cardinals travelling to Illinois on Saturday to face the Fighting Illini.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to side with the Illinois Fighting Illini in this one found them as -11-point favorites at Sportsbook. The over under number was slated to open a short time later.
Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and analytics picked a 28-24 win for the Cardinals. That value could change during the week, if injuries or other factors alter the numbers, so check the college football picks page before game time. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.
Ball State Cardinals vs Illinois Fighting Illini Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Illinois Fighting Illini sit at 0-0 (0-0 ATS) on the season; in comparison, the Ball State Cardinals are currently 0-0 (0-0 ATS). Looking to bet on the totals? Illinois is 0-0 OU, and Ball State is 0-0 OU. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Illinois vs Ball State injuries news.
The Illinois Fighting Illini sit at No. 118 in the current College Football Power Rankings here at Odds Shark, while the Ball State Cardinals are at No. 96 on that chart.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Illinois Fighting Illini No. -ranked offense ( PPG) against a Ball State Cardinals defense that ranks No. at PPG. The Illinois Fighting Illini passing attack has averaged yards per game, more than the Ball State Cardinals give up through the air ( YPG on average).
Defensively, the Ball State Cardinals feature the league's No. 25-rated road run defense, allowing 134.57 yards per game. Illinois, meanwhile, ranks No. 97 in rushing offense at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
In their last game, Ball State got a 117-yard performance from James Gilbert, but Miami-OH prevailed 21-20.
Wes Lunt led the way last time out for the Fighting Illini, connecting for 377 passing yards, but failing to earn the victory in a 42-21 loss to the Fighting Illini at Ryan Field.
- Ball State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
- Ball State is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Ball State's last 22 games
- Ball State is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
- Illinois is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- Illinois is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Illinois's last 5 games
- Illinois is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Ball State home to UAB, Saturday, September 9th
Illinois home to WKU, Saturday, September 9th
