Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Illinois Fighting Illini Picks and Predictions November 23rd 2024

Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Illinois Fighting Illini November 23rd 2024

PEAC will be handling the TV broadcast for this week 13 Illinois vs. Rutgers matchup, with kick-off set for 12:00 ET at SHI Stadium in Piscataway. The over/under line is at 48.5 points, and the Scarlet Knights are the slight -1.5-point favorites at home. Both teams come in with identical 6-4 records for the season. Illinois is 7-3, and Rutgers is 6-4.

Illinois vs. Rutgers Key Information

Illinois enters Week 13 with a 7-3 record, but they are 0-2 on the road this season. They are currently ranked 52nd in our power rankings. The Fighting Illini are 100% bowl-eligible, but they have no chance of winning the Big Ten.

So far, Illinois has been favored in just two of their ten games, and they have a +6.5 average scoring margin. Their ATS record stands at 4-3, with a 1-1 mark on the road and a 3-2 record at home.

The over/under line for this week is set at 48.5 points. Illinois’ over/under record is 1-6, with their games averaging 47.7 points. Their average over/under line this season has been 48.9 points.

Illinois is averaging 27.1 points per game, placing them 56th in the nation, and they are ranked 48th in our offensive power rankings heading into week 13. Luke Altmyer has thrown for 2,124 yards, completing 62.4% of his passes, and has 18 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 102. As a team, Illinois ranks 27th in passer rating and 31st in third-down conversions, converting 44.4% of their attempts.

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They are averaging 215.3 passing yards per game, ranking 78th nationally, and are 59th in passing attempts and completions. On the ground, Illinois is averaging 142.5 rushing yards per game. Josh McCray leads the team with 391 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Pat Bryant is the leading receiver with 711 yards and eight touchdowns on 42 catches.

Illinois’ defense has been solid this season, ranking 27th nationally by allowing just 20.6 points per game. They’ve given up 148.9 rushing yards per game and 215.9 passing yards, with quarterbacks completing 61.8% of their passes and posting an 85.9 passer rating.

In their latest game, Illinois held Michigan State to 16 points, allowing 89 rushing yards on 27 attempts and 256 passing yards. The defense also forced Michigan State to throw the ball 40 times.

At 6-4, Rutgers is set to face Illinois in Week 13. They are already bowl-eligible, with a 3-2 home record this season. The Scarlet Knights are ranked 60th in our CFB power rankings.

Rutgers has gone 5-3-1 against the spread, with a +2.9 average scoring margin. They are 2-2 ATS as the favorite and 3-1-1 as the underdog.

Their over/under record stands at 6-3, with games averaging 49.7 points. This week’s line is 48.5, slightly above their average line of 45.9 points.

Heading into week 13, Rutgers’ offense ranks 62nd in points per game, averaging 26.3. They sit 41st in our offensive power rankings. Athan Kaliakmanis has thrown for 2,128 yards, completing 55.1% of his passes with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 84.

Rutgers is 46th in passing attempts per game, averaging 30.5, and 80th in passing yards. On third downs, they convert 41.1% of the time. Kyle Monangai leads the rushing attack with 1,028 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 5 yards per carry. Dymere Miller has 645 receiving yards on 50 catches, with four touchdowns.

Rutgers’ defense has allowed an average of 23.4 points per game this season, ranking 44th nationally. They’ve given up 241 passing yards per game, placing them 121st, with opposing quarterbacks completing 62.1% of their passes. On the ground, Rutgers has faced the 14th fewest rushing attempts in the country, allowing 150.1 rushing yards per game.

In their recent game against Maryland, Rutgers allowed 17 points but gave up 457 total yards, including 335 passing yards. Maryland ran the ball 25 times for 122 yards. Rutgers’ defense also recorded an interception in the game.

Our projections have Rutgers winning this week 13 matchup against Illinois by a score of 27-25. Rutgers is currently a -1.5 point favorite at home, and we expect them to cover the spread.

With the over/under line set at 48.5 points, we see a lot of value in taking the over, as our model has these teams combining for 52 points.

No. 25 Illinois Visits Rutgers as Both Teams Celebrate Milestones

While national attention has focused on perennial Big Ten powerhouses like Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State, No. 25 Illinois and Rutgers have quietly put together impressive seasons. These two programs, each seeking to build on their 2024 success, meet on Saturday in Piscataway, N.J., with plenty on the line.

Illinois (7-3, 4-3 Big Ten) aims to secure its second eight-win season in three years and inch closer to its first nine-win campaign since 2007. Meanwhile, Rutgers (6-4, 3-4) is eyeing back-to-back seven-win seasons for the first time since 2012 and looks to end a 40-game losing streak against ranked opponents.

Illinois: Building Momentum

The Illini are coming off a dominant 38-16 win over Michigan State, fueled by a stellar defensive performance that included five sacks. The offense also clicked, as running back Josh McCray scored three touchdowns, and receiver Pat Bryant tallied 135 yards, including a 57-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Luke Altmyer.

“We have an unbelievable opportunity in front of us,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said. “To have a lot to play for is pretty awesome.”

Illinois has already secured bowl eligibility, marking their second postseason berth in four seasons under Bielema. After finishing 8-5 in 2022 but falling to 5-7 last year, the Illini are looking to reach nine wins for the first time since their 2007 Rose Bowl season under Ron Zook.

Rutgers: A Program on the Rise

Rutgers is also basking in its recent achievements. After years of rebuilding under head coach Greg Schiano, the Scarlet Knights have secured bowl eligibility for the second straight season. Their 31-17 win over Maryland last week capped a two-game winning streak, which also included a 26-19 victory over Minnesota.

“We operate in the moment,” Schiano said. “We’re a developing program. We’re on the rise.”

In the win over Maryland, quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns, while receiver Dymere Miller hauled in eight catches for 107 yards. Running back Kyle Monangai added 97 rushing yards and two scores, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the second consecutive season.

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What’s at Stake

Both teams have compelling reasons to leave it all on the field Saturday:

• For Illinois: A win keeps their hopes of a nine-win season alive and solidifies their position as one of the Big Ten’s emerging contenders.
• For Rutgers: A victory would end a 40-game losing streak against ranked opponents, dating back to 2009, and further validate Schiano’s rebuilding efforts.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Illinois Defense vs. Rutgers Rushing Attack
   Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai has been a workhorse, but Illinois’ defense, coming off a five-sack performance, will aim to disrupt his rhythm and force the Scarlet Knights to rely on the passing game.
2. Luke Altmyer vs. Rutgers Secondary
   Illinois’ quarterback has shown flashes of brilliance but will need to stay efficient against a Rutgers defense that has been opportunistic in recent weeks.
3. Rutgers Passing Game vs. Illinois Secondary
   With Athan Kaliakmanis coming off a 238-yard performance, Rutgers will look to exploit Illinois’ secondary, especially through Dymere Miller, who has emerged as a reliable target.

Historical Edge

Illinois leads the all-time series 5-3, including a 4-2 mark in Big Ten play. The Illini’s balanced offense and aggressive defense make them slight favorites, but Rutgers’ home-field advantage and recent momentum suggest a tightly contested battle.