Eastern Illinois-Illinois Prediction, Odds, Picks for College Football Game of Week 1

It's time to continue our college football odds series with a prediction and pick for Eastern Illinois-Illinois. Find out how to watch Eastern Illinois-Illinois.

Illinois is entering another season under head coach Bret Bielema. The Illini are coming off a torturous 2023 season, finishing 5-7 and one win short of a bowl game. The loss for the Illini came against the school Bielema used to coach in the Big Ten, the Wisconsin Badgers. Illinois dominated the first three quarters at home and took a 21-7 lead into the fourth quarter. Then it all fell apart and Illinois allowed 18 points to Wisconsin and lost 25-21. That was the big fish that got away and cost Illinois a bowl. The Illini had one more chance to reach a bowl game, but lost 45-43 to Northwestern in the season finale.

Illinois lost close games, and its offense generally didn't finish games well. Illinois lost twice last year in games where the defense didn't allow more than 20 points. That can't be repeated this season. The Illini need to become more consistent on offense and score between 20 and 30 points more regularly. We'll see if Illinois can do that. Here's a first test run for the Fighting Illini against Eastern Illinois of the FCS. The game kicks off Thursday night, so there won't be any scorching heat in late August. The increased comfort level for the game — game starts at 8 p.m. local time in Champaign — could lead to more offense. Illinois is hoping the offensive gains are on its side, not Eastern Illinois'. Bielema needs to play in a bowl game this year, or the noise within the Illinois program will get louder. Winning this game is obviously Bielema's top priority, but he also needs to know that his team can grow in the new, expanded 18-team Big Ten Conference and develop into an extremely competitive group.

Here are the odds for Eastern Illinois-Illinois college football, courtesy of FanDuel.

College Football Odds: Eastern Illinois-Illinois Odds

Eastern Illinois: +27.5 (-105)

Money line: +2500

Illinois: -27.5 (-115)

Money line: -10000

Over: 45.5 (-110)

Under: 45.5 (-110)

How to watch Eastern Illinois vs. Illinois

Time: 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT

Television: Big Ten Network, Big Ten Plus

Stream: fuboTV (Click here for a free trial)

Why Eastern Illinois could cover the spread/profit

The spread is huge. Illinois is almost certain to win, but are we sure the Illini can score the number of points needed to win? Consider that the over-under total for this game is 45.5 points, so it's not like a lot of points are expected up front. As a hypothetical, let's say the total is an accurate prediction of how many points will actually be scored in this game, so it will be 45 or 46 points. What would the final score be? Let's say Illinois wins 35-10 in a 45-point game. Eastern Illinois covers. Illinois would have to win 37-8 in a 45-point game to cover the spread. That basically means Illinois can't allow more than eight points if it wants to cover the spread, and it has to score in the high 30s or more. That's a tight frame for the Illini. Margins appear to favor Eastern Illinois, which covers the spread.

Why Illinois could cover/win the spread

Illinois should be able to get Eastern Illinois under control enough to score in the 40s and score enough points to even the spread.

Final prediction and picks for Eastern Illinois – Illinois

It depends on whether you trust Illinois' offense to score in the 40s. We're skeptical, but that's a no-brainer. It could be that Illinois Eastern can just ram the ball down their throats and pull out a runaway victory. Ultimately, we think you should skip this game.

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Final Eastern Illinois Illinois Prediction and Pick: Eastern Illinois +27.5