This weekend, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights welcome the Illinois Fighting Illini to Piscataway. At 6-4, Rutgers rides the momentum of two straight wins, fortified by a 4-2 record at home. The Scarlet Knights have found resilience in front of their fans, proving tricky to beat on their turf.
Meanwhile, Illinois arrives with a 7-3 mark, its sights set on bolstering a season filled with promise. Averaging 374 yards and 27.1 points per game, the Illini have shown offensive balance but carry a 1-2 road record. This matchup offers more than just a win for both teams—and our Illinois vs. Rutgers prediction explains why it’s a chance to define their narrative in the Big Ten.
Illinois vs. Rutgers Betting Preview
All Illinois vs. Rutgers odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. The CFN Spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
Illinois -4 - Spread
Illinois -1 - Moneyline
Illinois -105, Rutgers +105 - Over/Under
48 points - Game time
Noon ET - Location
SHI Stadium | Piscataway, NJ - Predicted Weather at Kick
50 degrees, mostly cloudy, 12 mph winds - How To Watch
Peacock
Rutgers initially opened as a slim favorite at -1. That number floated back and forth from -1 to a pick ’em until Illinois became the favorite by a single point. This line could see plenty of action before kickoff on Saturday.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
The total opened at 50.5 and dropped as low as 46.5 before rising again and settling at 48. Like the spread, the total will likely see more action, resulting in a moving line.
Illinois’s Winning Probability
According to CFN’s Football Playoff Meter, the Illini have a 61.1% chance of defeating the Scarlet Knights on Saturday.
If the win probabilities hold, Illinois will finish its 2024 campaign at 9-3. This would be the most wins during the Brett Bielema era and the most for an Illini football team since Illinois finished 9-4 under Ron Zook in 2007.
- at Rutgers: 61.1%
- at Northwestern: 79.6%
Rutgers’s Winning Probability
According to the CFN FPM, Rutgers has a 38.9% chance of defeating Illinois on Saturday.
If the win probabilities hold, the Scarlet Knights would finish 2024 at 7-5. This would be the second consecutive season with seven wins under Greg Schiano, and Rutgers would be in search of their second straight bowl victory.
- vs. Illinois: 38.9%
- at Michigan State: 50.8%
Prediction for Illinois vs. Rutgers
Illinois has defied expectations this season, covering the spread in six of ten games and cruising past their preseason win total.
Their journey began with a four-game winning streak, including a competitive showing against Penn State. But a midseason slump saw them miss the spread in three of four matchups before last week’s resounding 27-3 victory over Michigan State, covering the slim 1.5-point line.
MORE: 2024 College Football Power Rankings
Last Saturday, Illinois demonstrated its trademark resilience. They tallied 369 total yards, converted 8-of-15 third downs, and stifled Michigan State to just 2-of-15 on third downs. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter, though, that they finally pulled away.
Rutgers, meanwhile, showcased its offensive growth in a 31-17 victory over the Maryland Terrapins. With Athan Kaliakmanis throwing for 238 yards and Kyle Monangai adding 97 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, the Scarlet Knights amassed 370 total yards.
However, defensive lapses were evident, surrendering 457 yards to Maryland, including 335 through the air.
Both teams bring momentum into this weekend, and with Rutgers averaging 26 points over the past month, they come in looking prepared. Yet, Illinois’ steady defense and knack for closing out games make them the pick to cover and secure a crucial road win.
I like Illinois to get the job done on the road, as they’ll be able to move the ball through the air and come up with big defensive stops.
Prediction: Illinois 30, Rutgers 24
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