Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Michigan Wolverines Predictions, Picks, Odds, and NCAA Football Week Eight Betting Preview – October 22, 2016

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Michigan Wolverines Preview

Where: Michigan Stadium – Ann Arbor, Michigan

When: Saturday, October 22, 3:30 PM ET

Line: Illinois Fighting Illini (+35.5) vs. Michigan Wolverines (-35.5); total: 55.5 – view all NCAA Football odds and lines

TV Broadcast: BTN

Writer’s Pick: Michigan Wolverines (-35.5)

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Betting on the Illinois Fighting Illini (+35.5)

The Illinois Fighting Illini finally snapped their four-game losing skid with a 24-7 victory over Rutgers on Saturday. It was a morale-boosting result for the Illini who finally grabbed their first win in conference play this season. Providing the impetus for Illinois’ victory was their remarkable defense. The Illini defense forced five turnovers including the game-clinching, fourth-quarter 75-yard interception return for a touchdown from Darius Mosely.

For the Illini to record a major shock and cover the huge 35.5-point spread against Michigan, they will need to quickly establish their ground game this coming Saturday. Expected to play a crucial role this weekend is halfback Kendrick Foster. He rushed for 108 yards and scored two touchdowns in the win against Rutgers. Foster will have his work cut out for him, however, against a Michigan side that is ranked ninth in the nation in rushing defense this campaign. The Wolverines are allowing just 99.2 yards per game on the ground this season.

Illinois is 4-3 ATS in its last seven meetings with Michigan.

Betting on the Michigan Wolverines (-35.5)

The Michigan Wolverines maintained their perfect start to the season with an emphatic 78-0 victory over Rutgers on October 8. It was a fantastic result for the Wolverines who matched their best start (6-0) since the 2011 season and had their largest margin of victory since an 85-0 win in 1939 over Chicago University.

Leading the way for the Wolverines in this game was Jabrill Peppers. Mr. Everything ran for a career-high two touchdowns and set up another score in the win against the Scarlet Knights. On the season, he has 442 all-purpose yards (including 98 rushing yards), 37 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and six quarterback hurries. Talk about all-around brilliance.

For the Wolverines to preserve their unbeaten record against Illinois, they will need to continue their excellent play on the defensive end. Michigan allowed a season-low 22 yards and just two first downs against Rutgers. That one-sided game marked the third time this season that the Wolverines held an opponent below 100 passing yards. Michigan is tops in the FBS in total defense, surrendering just 212.8 yards per game this season. The Wolverines will be licking their chops at the prospect of facing a woeful Illinois offense that’s averaging just 371.3 yards per game this campaign, 99th in the FBS.

Michigan is 8-2 SU and 6-4 ATS in its last 10 home games. The Wolverines are pegged at +700 to win the national championship this season.

Writer’s Prediction

Michigan (-35.5) destroys Illinois, 45-7.

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