College Football team briefing / WagerBird research desk

Illinois Fighting Illini

The matchup. The market. The case for your next move.

Results, schedule and game-day research ·
Season record5–3Won 4 straight
Against the spread3–2–1Covers · misses · pushes
Last 5 games
LWWWW
Oldest to newest →
Next matchup

Illini at Bruins

Fri 11/13at Bruins8:00 PM CT 9:00 PM ET
Last time out Fri 11/6W 24-13vs Cornhuskers

The research and injury report for this matchup have not been published. Earlier research is dated below.

Next Illini pick

Kicks off in 6d 8h

Illini at Bruins

Fri Nov 13 · 8:00 PM CT · 9:00 PM ET · released and locked
75
Signal strength
4 units
Signal strength 75, released before kickoff with its price locked.
75
The pick is locked.Game pick · price locked at release
Released
before kickoff, price locked at release
Locked
price and line at release, never changed
Graded
against the closing line

Every Illini pick is graded at the official result.

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Illini at Bruins odds

Prices by sportsbook post when the sportsbooks open the next game.

Sportsbook prices have not been published for this matchup.

Line movement

at UCLA BruinsFri Nov 13 · 8:00 PM CT · 9:00 PM ET

Lines post when the sportsbooks open the next game.

Results and against the spread

5–3 · 3–2–1 ATS
Record
5–3
Against the spread
3–2–1
Form, last 5
LWWWW
Last game
W 24-13vs Cornhuskers
DateGameResultSpreadATS
Fri 11/6vs Nebraska CornhuskersW 24-13+4.5Covered
Sat 10/31at Maryland TerrapinsW 20-17−3Push
Sat 10/24vs Oregon DucksW 21-10+10.5Covered
Sat 10/10at Michigan State SpartansW 38-37−3Missed
Sat 10/3vs Purdue BoilermakersL 17-24−10Missed

Spread is the Illini’ closing number. ATS is against the spread at the closing number. The ATS record lists covers, misses, then pushes.

Schedule

vs HawkeyesFri 11/20 · 11:00 PM CT12:00 AM ET
at WildcatsFri 11/27 · 11:00 PM CT12:00 AM ET
Research archive

Previous game briefing

Written Fri Nov 6, before the Cornhuskers game. These notes describe that game, including its injuries and projected starters.

Read the Cornhuskers briefing · Fri 11/6
Dated research · archived briefing

Archived Illini research

Written Fri Nov 6, before the Cornhuskers game.

Illinois returns home at 4-3, with a 2-2 home record and a 2-1 road record. Its latest results are a 20-17 win at Maryland and a 21-10 victory against Oregon. The Maryland game ended on Ethan Moczulski's field goal after Javari Barnett supplied a touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Katin Houser has returned after hand surgery and threw for 223 yards and a touchdown at Maryland. Dixon remains tied for the Illinois single-season record with 10 touchdown catches. Michael Clayton II is listed behind Houser on the unofficial depth chart.

The running-back rotation has changed because Ca'Lil Valentine is out for the season with a leg injury. Aidan Laughery leads the projected depth chart, with Jordan Anderson behind him.

Roger Cooper now calls the defense following Bobby Hauck's departure. Carter Janki has moved inside and taken the starting nose-tackle job. Illinois held Maryland to three points and 99 yards over the final 26:10. Tonight brings Nebraska to Champaign at 7:00 PM CT; the latest complete player list located leaves Gunnar Gottula and Jamir Conn questionable.

Season at time of writing

Illinois is 4-3, with a 2-2 home record and a 2-1 road record. Its recent wins include an overtime finish at Michigan State, a 21-10 result against Oregon and a last-play field goal for a 20-17 victory at Maryland.

The news

Houser resumes the quarterback role

Houser returned from his hand injury and passed for 223 yards and a touchdown at Maryland. Michael Clayton II remains behind him on Illinois' unofficial depth chart.

Backfield adjusts without Valentine

Valentine's season ended with a leg injury against Purdue. Laughery leads the listed backfield rotation, followed by Jordan Anderson, while Javari Barnett is coming off an 80-yard rushing game at Maryland.

Cooper's defense has a new interior starter

Roger Cooper has taken over defensive play-calling following Bobby Hauck's departure. Carter Janki moved inside to nose tackle and has replaced Darrell Prater in the starting role.

Dixon shares the touchdown record

Dixon has 10 touchdown catches, matching Illinois' single-season record.

Injuries

Injury report as of : 9 Illini and 9 Cornhuskers on the report.

Illini
  • Ca'Lil ValentineSeason-ending leg injury suffered against Purdue.Out
  • Tywan CoxUndisclosed injury; Bielema says he is out for the season and will not need surgery.Out
  • BJ ThurmanReason not disclosed; no return date reported.Doubtful
  • Jayshon PlattReason not disclosed; remains out, with no return date announced.Out
  • Grant BeermanReason and return date not reported.Out
  • Carter SmithReason and return date not reported.Out
  • Demetrius JohnReason and return date not reported.Out
  • Kai PritchardReason and return date not reported.Out
  • +1 more · full report in the Terminal
Cornhuskers
  • Gunnar GottulaHead injury; missed Washington, with no clearance announced.Questionable
  • Jamir ConnUpper-body injury; back at practice but still awaiting clearance.Questionable
  • Anthony Jones Jr.Foot injury; no return date reported.Out
  • Vincent GenatoneHad season-ending surgery; will not return this season.Out
  • Larry MilesReason and return date not reported.Out
  • Kahmir PrescottReason and return date not reported.Out
  • Jacob BowerReason and return date not reported.Out
  • Jase ReynoldsReason and return date not reported.Out
  • +1 more · full report in the Terminal
The matchup
Illini projected starters
  • Katin HouserQB
  • Aidan LaugheryRB
  • Collin Dixon (WR-X)
  • Hudson Clement (WR-Z)
  • Brayden Trimble (WR-SL)
  • Christian AbneyTE
  • Nathan KnapikLT
  • Maika MatelauLG
  • Jake RenfroC
  • Brandon HendersonRG
  • Brandon HansenRT
  • Pat FarrellLDE
  • Carter JankiNT
  • Joe BarnaRDE
  • Daniel BrownJACK
  • Ismael KanteWLB
  • James KreutzMLB
  • Xavier Scott (Nickel)
  • Tanner HeckelLCB
  • Matthew BaileySS
  • Mac ResetichFS
  • Juice ClarkeRCB
  • Lars RauP/H
  • Ethan MoczulskiPK
  • Patrick Mahoney IIILS
  • Mac ResetichPR
  • Aidan LaugheryKR
Cornhuskers projected starters
  • Anthony ColandreaQB
  • Isaiah Mozee or Mekhi Nelson or Jamal RuleRB
  • Nyziah HunterWR
  • Kwazi GilmerWR
  • Jacory Barney Jr.WR
  • Luke LindenmeyerTE
  • Elijah PritchettLT
  • Paul MubengaLG
  • Justin EvansC
  • Brendan BlackRG
  • Gunnar Gottula or Tree BabaladeRT
  • Williams NwaneriDE
  • Owen StoudmireDT
  • Jahsear WhittingtonDT
  • Cameron LenhardtDE
  • Dexter Foster or Vincent Shavers Jr.LB
  • Owen ChamblissLB
  • Donovan Jones (Nickel)
  • Andrew MarshallCB
  • Victor Evans IIICB
  • Dwayne McDougle IIIS
  • Jamir ConnS
  • John Hohl or Kyle CunananPK
  • John Hohl (Kickoffs)
  • Archie WilsonP
  • Kamdyn KochH
  • Jack WillsLS
  • Jacory Barney Jr.PR
  • Isaiah MozeeKR
Updated How we grade

Written by the WagerBird research team from our own results, line captures and graded picks. Updated . How we grade →

Our Illini picks, graded

How we work
Released
before kickoff, price locked at release
Locked
price and line at release, never changed
Graded
against the closing line

How we grade

Illini questions, answered

Is there a Illini pick for this matchup?

Yes. Our Illini pick for Illini at Bruins was released before kickoff at Signal strength 75. Unlock it in the Terminal.

Updated Fri Nov 6 · 12:44 PM CT. Results, lines and picks come from WagerBird’s own records.

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Illinois Fighting Illini Odds, Injury Report, Schedule & ATS | WagerBird