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Illinois vs. Indiana Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 1

By Ben Heisler

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Tom Allen made several changes to his coaching staff following a 2-10 season in 2021 after going 6-2 in 2020.
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Tom Allen made several changes to his coaching staff following a 2-10 season in 2021 after going 6-2 in 2020. / Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
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The Indiana Hoosiers have a chance to make a statement in Week 1; kicking off Big Ten play under the lights on Friday night when they host the 1-0 Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium.

Indiana's 2021 season was a colossal disappointment after finishing in the Top 12 of the AP Poll at the end of 2020. Injuries devastated the once promising team, led by Michael Penix (now transferred to Washington) never looking healthy all season long before missing the rest of the year.

Meanwhile, Illinois comes into Week 1 fresh off a 38-6 victory over Wyoming; holding the Cowboys to just 30 yards of total offense and easily covering the 14-point spread. Head Coach Bret Bielema went 5-7 in his first year at the helm, but the Illini finished strong; going 4-5 in Big Ten play.

The Hoosiers were just 2-10 a season ago, but the oddsmakers have them as slight home favorites against their conference rival. IU was the best covering team in college football in 2020 (7-1-0 ATS), but were just 2-10-0 ATS last year. Which Indiana team shows up for bettors this week?

Here are the latest odds for Friday night's Big Ten Week 1 showdown from Bloomington.

Illinois vs. Indiana Odds, Spread and Total

Illinois vs. Indiana Betting Trends

  • Illinois is 4-0 ATS on the road in their last four games away from home
  • Illinois has gone 8-3 in UNDERS in their last 11 games
  • Indiana went 0-5 ATS at home in their last five games
  • OVERS are 4-1 in last 5 September games for Indiana

Illinois vs. Indiana Prediction and Pick

Both teams have raised expectations from a season ago, and have two new signal callers in to help jump start the struggling offenses.

The Hoosiers replaced offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan with former UMass head coach Walt Bell; who had great success running previous offenses for Maryland and Florida State. They also have a new quarterback in Missouri transfer Connor Bazelak; who's likely to start over the incumbent Jack Tuttle (although Allen has yet to confirm as of this writing).

Meanwhile, Illinois transfer quarterback Tommy DeVito looked sharp in his first game last week, going 27-37 for 194 yards and two touchdowns vs. Wyoming.

I think we'll see both teams get off to a good start on the scripted plays on offense before the strength of their teams, the defense start to get going for most of the first half.

Both offenses can make some plays later on as the 4th quarter approaches, but then again, Illinois and Indiana are also willing to churn clock and run the ball heavily late in the game.

I'll lean under 46, but I'm more likely to grab a higher under play LIVE for both the first half and full game once both teams get on the board early on in the first quarter.

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