Eastern Illinois Panthers (8-3 Last season) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (5-7 Last season)
The beginning of the NCAAF season will trigger an exciting game. Almost the same, but different from this, is the Eastern Illinois Panthers, who had a formidable 8-3 rating last year and the Illinois Fighting Illini, who were struggling in their campaign, posting five wins and seven losses. At Memorial Stadium, in Week 1, all these issues will be addressed, and some early season strategies will be put into practice to set out both teams’ aspirations. Betting enthusiasts have a lot to say about this match since it is one of those college football betting picks that may give you hints on how ready both teams are for the new challenges that come with every new season.
MJ Flowers and Eli Mirza are key players for the Panthers, who rely on their offensive abilities. This is demonstrated by these players who showed off their prowess this season. Among them is Flowers, a dynamic running player with 852 yards last year from 159 carries, with an impressive average of 5.4 per run and eight touchdowns. His ability to break through any defense will be important in this game. The wide receiver, Eli Mirza, also has a role in the Panthers’ offense as he recorded 680 receiving yards last year from his 54 catches.
The offensive plan of the Fighting Illini depends largely on its running back, Kaden Feagin and wide receiver Pat Bryant. In the previous season, Feagin managed to gain just 438 rushing yards; although it was not much, it was enough for Illinois. On the other hand, Pat Bryant proves to be a vital asset in the receiving corps, hauling down 43 passes for 560 yards and leading with seven TD catches that show his red zone threat.
Eastern Illinois Panthers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Game Info
| When: | Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 9:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Memorial Stadium |
| TV: | BTN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Pierce Holley QB vs. Luke Altmyer QB
Pierce Holley from Eastern Illinois comes into the new season with a mixture of tenacity and confrontation. In the previous season, he completed 239 passes out of 393 attempts, acquiring 2,723 passing yards at a rate of 60.8% completions and scoring with seventeen touchdown passes. However, Holley also had to endure thirty-five sacks which seriously affected his performance in throwing balls. His ability to grow when under pressing conditions is crucial against Illinois; hence it will be vital for him to take care of the ball by making the right decisions quickly before defenders intercept it.
Conversely, Luke Altmyer for Illinois slightly bettered the completion ratio by 64.8%, after throwing 1,883 yards last year alone. His style is characterized by good field awareness and connecting on throws ranging from medium to deep, including his longest pass (54-yards). With this said, however, Altmyer must improve his accuracy and game-management skills because he can rely on his offensive line’s protection.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Illinois Fighting Illini -5000, Total Odds: 45.5
The betting landscape sees Illinois as the overwhelming favorites with a -27.5 point spread, reflecting their perceived dominance over Eastern Illinois. The total for the game is set at 45.5, with a leaning towards the UNDER, considering both teams’ recent trends in scoring and defensive capabilities.
Eastern Illinois Panthers Betting Trends
Eastern Illinois has struggled significantly in covering the spread, going 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games, with a continual underperformance on the road and against Big Ten opponents. Their 0-6 SU record in the last six games paints a bleak picture of their ability to upset in such matchups, suggesting caution in expecting a cover of the large spread.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends
While Illinois also presents a shaky record of 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games, their strength seems to come through in early season play, boasting a 5-0 SU record in August games and 12-2 in Week 1 matchups historically. This trend might suggest a stronger start to the season, particularly in non-conference games.
Eastern Illinois Panthers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 8/29/24 Betting Picks
The Illinois Fighting Illini are the favorite to win this game given their historical data and team’s performance trends. Although there is a large spread, it might be a risky bet for Illinois considering that they have had poor ATS at home. In view of both teams’ tendencies towards low scoring games, wagering on UNDER may be less risky. If looking for in-play options, watch out how each of the quarterbacks manages pressure through in-game adjustments; this could be of great value on the premier live betting site.
