Northwestern looks to cover the Wildcats-Fighting Illini point spread this week and improve its overall 8-3 mark when they host Illinois in Week 13 action.

Supporters of the Fighting Illini have seen them go 2-9 and 3-8 ATS so far this season, while the Wildcats are at 8-3 and 10-1 ATS. In totals betting, the Wildcats are 4-6, while the Fighting Illini are 4-5-1.



View Illinois vs Northwestern Odds and Stats.

Betting Line: Bettors going with the Wildcats in this game found them listed as 18.5-point favorites on the betting line at Sportsbook earlier in the week.

Power Rankings / Prediction: The Power Rankings at OddsShark have the No. 97-rated Fighting Illini taking on the No. 72-rated Wildcats in this contest. Handicapping models indicate a 31-12 win for the Wildcats on Saturday.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Northwestern's No. 55-ranked offense, averaging 29.8 PPG, against a Fighting Illini defense that ranks No. 84 this week at 30.5 PPG. The Wildcats aerial game is averaging 171.8 yards per game, less than the Fighting Illini secondary allows through the air, 201.1 YPG per game.

In comparing defenses, the Fighting Illini own the league's No. 117-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 262 yards per game when on the road. Northwestern, on the other hand, rates No. 6 this week in generating rushing yards at home.

In their last action, Illinois was a 20-17 loser at home against Purdue. They covered the 6-point spread as underdogs, while the combined score (37) was profitable news for UNDER bettors. The Fighting Illini suffered a Week 12 loss against Purdue in their last game, falling 20-17 at Memorial Stadium.

Last time out for Northwestern, they were a 23-20 Sportsbook as they battled Michigan State on the road. Northwestern covered in the match as a 7-point underdog, while 43 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors. Last time out, Michigan State could not slow down Dan Vitale, who managed 110 receiving yards in the Wildcats 23-20 victory over the Spartans Saturday.


Illinois Fighting Illini Trends:
When playing in November are 1-9
When playing on grass are 4-6
After being outgained are 2-8
When playing within the conference are 0-10

Northwestern Wildcats Trends:
When playing in November are 5-5
When playing on grass are 6-4
After being outgained are 4-6
When playing within the conference are 6-4

A few Fighting Illini at Wildcats trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Illinois's last 5 games when playing on the road against Northwestern
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Illinois's last 5 games
Illinois is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Northwestern
Illinois is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Northwestern
Northwestern is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Northwestern's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Northwestern's last 5 games when playing at home against Illinois
Northwestern is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games