FiveDimes recently released over/under win totals for college football teams.

Here is an early-season look at Illinois in the Big 10.

Over/Under

FiveDimes has Illinois at 3.5 wins. Last year, the Fighting Illini were 6-6. The line features a more favorable under to betters at +100, while the over is set at -140.

The upside

Illinois only needs four wins, and in the first two games, the Fighting Illini should be heavily favored against Kent State and Western Illinois (a FCS team). That’s two wins that bettors can pencil in, albeit with some worry considering the Big 10’s recent past with the MAC.

In the last three years, Big 10 teams have recorded eight losses to MAC teams. However, despite not recording an above-.500 record during the last three seasons, Illinois is still undefeated against MAC teams.

Also in non-conference, the Fighting Illini have a winnable game at home against Mid-Tennessee State.

With an over/under total of 3.5, Illinois will likely be favored in three of its first four games.

Then it’s off to the Big 10 season…

The downside

First off, it’s been an interesting offseason for the Fighting Illini. Head coach Tim Beckman has been under investigation about the alleged mistreatment of a former player. The university launched a probe into the football team.

There’s been plenty of non-football issues with this team in the offseason, which is likely why this number is so low.

Winning non-conference games hasn’t been Illinois’ problem in the past few seasons. The problem has been what happens inside the conference. In the last four seasons, Illinois is 3-5, 1-7, 0-8 and 2-6 in the Big 10 conference.

The schedule is stacked against Illinois this year again, with Nebraska, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Northwestern at home, and road games against Iowa, Penn State, Purdue and Minnesota.

The Verdict

 

The distractions caused by the off-field incidents is not a good sign for Fighting Illini fans. However, it has likely shrunk the over/under number to a desired amount for gamblers at the over.

Oddsmakers are expecting bettors to take the over with it juiced at -140, and there’s plenty of reason to take the over, especially since the non-conference season includes three possible wins, meaning Illinois only has to win one game in the Big 10. That likely won’t happen at home, meaning Illinois will have to take it on the road.

Despite the distractions, the safe bet is on the over for the Fighting Illini.

 

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*