Western Illinois vs Illinois Prediction 8/29/2025 Today’s College Football Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Western Illinois vs Illinois Prediction for this College Football Week 1 game on Friday, August 29th at the Memorial Stadium (Champaign, IL). Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Football matchup.

Illinois Fighting Illini Preview

Last season, Illinois had a 10-3 overall record and a 6-3 conference record in the Big Ten, with a 7-1 home record. Offensively, the Fighting Illini scored 26.9 points per game, while allowing 23.5 points per game defensively. Illinois averaged 153.6 rushing yards and 211.2 passing yards per game last season. They allowed 148.4 rushing yards per game and 224.8 passing yards per game.

Luke Altmyer led the Fighting Illini last season with 211/347 completed passes and 2717 total passing yards. He also had 22 touchdowns, 6 interceptions and 32 sacks. Josh McCray led the team in rushing yards, with 609 and 10 touchdowns, while Pat Bryant caught 54 passes for a team-high 984 receiving yards, and had 10 touchdowns.

Defensively, Matthew Bailey had a team-high 93 total tackles, 43 of them solo, and 1 interception, while Gabe Jacas had a team-high 8 total sacks.

Western Illinois Leathernecks Preview

Western Illinois finished the 2024 season with a 4–8 overall record and a 3–5 conference record. They had a 2–4 home record and a 2–4 away record. Offensively, the Leathernecks scored 21.2 points per game and allowed 31.0 points per game defensively. They averaged 123.3 rushing yards and 304.2 passing yards per game, while allowing 156.8 rushing yards and 270.0 passing yards per game.

Nathan Lamb led the Leathernecks last season with 262/402 completed passes and 3372 total passing yards. He also had 21 touchdowns, 8 interceptions and 23 sacks. Cameren Smith led the team in rushing yards, with 802 and 7 touchdowns, while Matthew Henry caught 63passes for a team-high 1179 receiving yards, and had 6 touchdowns.

Defensively, Ryan Crandall had a team-high 86 total tackles, 52 of them solo, and 0 interceptions, while Christian S. Pierce had a team-high 3.5 total sacks.

Why the Illinois Fighting Illini will win

• Illinois has won each of its last nine games against non-conference opponents at Memorial Stadium (Champaign).
• Illinois has covered the spread in each of its last five games against non-FBS teams.
• Illinois has won the first half in seven of its last eight games against non-conference opponents at Memorial Stadium (Champaign).
• Illinois has won the first quarter in seven of its last eight games against non-conference opponents at Memorial Stadium (Champaign).

Why the Western Illinois Leathernecks will win

• Illinois has failed to cover the spread in 11 of its last 13 home games against non-AP-ranked teams.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Illinois’ last six games against non-conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Illinois Fighting Illini Player Prop Facts

• Gabe Jacas led the Big Ten Conference for forced fumbles (3) last season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Illinois ranked 18th among FBS teams for 3rd down conversion percentage last season (45.9).
• Illinois ranked T23rd among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game last season (6.0).

Western Illinois vs Illinois Prediction

Illinois has won all three previous meetings against Western Illinois, with their most recent meeting being back in 2018, with the Fighting Illini winning 34-14, covering the spread. The Fighting Illini have covered the spread in all of their three meetings, and all of them also went under the point total.

In this Western Illinois vs Illinois Prediction, Illinois is coming as -45.5-point favorites. The line is massive, but for a reason. Illinois was elite last season and almost perfect at home and they beat Western Illinois 34-14 back in 2018, but in the two games against FCS teams since then – UT Chattanooga in 2022, and Eastern Illinois to open up last year – they won by a combined score of 76-0. The pressure is all on the Illinois side of things, as the hype around their name is big this season, but the Leathernecks weren’t that terrible last season. Illinois will win and dominate, but by more than 47 points ? Maybe not. Take a stab here with the Western Illinois Leathernecks at +45.5 points.