Illinois vs Northwestern Prediction, Preview, Betting Lines: Can the Illini Take Back the Rivalry?

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Nov 27, 2024 3:47 AM ET

Northwestern came into this last year on a roll.

Hot, and in the midst of one of those almost-everything-went-right late season runs, the Wildcats were off to a bowl game, and added a thrilling 45-43 win over Illinois as the cherry on top.

This time around it’s the opposite, losing four of the last five games dropping the dates against Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin by a combined score of 144-30. This is it for the season, so beating Illinois would have to make the season.

On the flip side, Illinois picked it back up after a mini-slide with two straight wins as part of a run of four victories in the last six dates. Considering all the Big Ten teams likely to get into the expanded CFP, win this, and Illinois will almost certainly get a special bowl game.

Illinois vs Northwestern: How to Watch and Game Preview

Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
How To Watch: Big Ten Network
Venue: Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium, Evanston, IL
Teams: Northwestern (4-7), Illinois (8-3)
CFN Bluesky | CFN X | CFN FB
- Week 14 Schedule, Predictions

Why Illinois Will Win

The Northwestern offense has collapsed. It can’t move the chains, it’s one of the worst attacks in the nation at coming up with first downs, and there’s no downfield passing game to open things up.

The ground game has only hit 100 yards in six of the last eight games - the blocking isn’t great. Run defense has been a problem for Illinois, but not in this, but …

Why Northwestern Will Win

Can Northwestern’s run defense show up?

Illinois has, for the most part, been a passing team with QB Luke Altmyer coming up with a terrific run. It’s not that the Illini can’t run, but it’s not dominant.

Without the offense to keep up, Northwestern has to own the tempo, keep the score low, and be great against an Illinois ground game that has to be held well under five yards per pop. Northwestern is 0-7 when diving up over 90 yards on the ground and …

Illinois vs Northwestern: Who Will Win?

Illinois will run for at least 90 yards.

This isn’t the most consistent of Illinois teams, but it’s effective, and it’s fine when it doesn’t screw up. Can Northwestern come up with plenty of turnovers? Illinois is 1-3 when turning it over multiple times, and 7-0 when it doesn’t.

Northwestern hasn’t forced multiple turnovers since mid-October, and even in that was a loss against Wisconsin.

In a really, really cold game, Illinois will grind it out.