altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Pregame: Illinois at Duke, Saturday, September 6th, 11:00am CT, ESPN
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Seems like this is the most sane preview / prediction for IL / Duke game, shocking that it came from Sports Illustrated :
https://www.si.com/college/illinois/football/illini-duke-week-2-espn-analytics-prediction-2025
https://www.si.com/college/illinois/football/illini-duke-week-2-espn-analytics-prediction-2025
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I see what you did there. Nice!41-13 Illinois
We need more Bielevers.
Score looks about right to me, too. If Duke couldn't push Elons line back, Jacas and our boys should give them a big problem.
Is our backfield fully reloaded? If so, there might be a P6 or two for us.
TheFlyingIllini1317
- Chicago, IL
I have a typo in my prediction and I want to change it to 31-17 the Illini win
BZuppke
- Plainfield
I would hope with an experienced QB in Luke, the risk of interceptions is lower.
We will have a big tailgate in Reno for the Nevada game, with the Illini playing on TV before hand. Perfect timing!
lines are set to get equal money laid on both sides . Home team always gets at least 3 points in the NFL . not sure what it is in CFB. probably more .
our history with early road games is also known by the Vegas computers .
so us being favored by “only 3 “ is not a surprise at all
Illinois Must Pressure Duke Quarterback Darian Mensah to Win – And Here's Why
The Illini head to Durham, North Carolina, for a matchup with the Blue Devils on Saturday. So how do they slow Duke star Mensah?
www.si.com
Blue Out just doesn’t have the same ring to it, to me. Doesn’t sound right.
Well, the pass rush is going to be tested, as will the corners. Not sure what to think at either position. If they can't get pressure up the middle, they'll double/chip Jacas and without pressure, the corners will get torched. Patterson had his troubles versus WIU. He has to be better.
I think our offense will score a bunch, but our defense seems ripe to let up a bunch.
I think it's 35-31 in either direction.
I think our offense will score a bunch, but our defense seems ripe to let up a bunch.
I think it's 35-31 in either direction.
Pretty good comparison to playing Kansas and Jalon Daniels / Duke + Darrian Mensah
IlliniwekKDR
- Colorado Springs, CO
First thing I thought of, too!
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
1st road test against a quality opponent this season..................I think Luke outshines the puke QB1 and leads the Illini to a convincing victory with the Illini defense limiting Mensah throughout the game.............
Illini 34
puke 21
LET' GO ILLINI !!!!!!!!
Illini 34
puke 21
LET' GO ILLINI !!!!!!!!
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
If all the Illini fans wear orange, and the Duke fans wear blue, then our boys should feel right at home.
Serious Late
- Peoria via Denver via Ann Arbor via Albuquerque vi
A guy I respect who bets college football very well shared his power ratings for this week and his numbers have Illinois 7 points better than Duke on a neutral field. Makes the 2.5 on Fanduel enticing, particularly given Duke's "home field advantage". Giving them 3 points (for home field advantage) feels generous.
I've been talking with him in the lead up to the season, as he has not been overly high on Illinois this year, he has us #29 in in the country based on his model. I asked him about the discrepancy in power ratings between us and Duke, and his response was simple. "Duke stinks."
I'm feeling better about this game.
This is also my annual reminder that no, lines are not made up to generate 50% action on either side. If the public bets 1 million on Duke at +3, moving the line to +2.5, and a group of respected bettors bet $10K on Illinois at -2.5... that number is going to move back to 3. The respected 1% of action will influence a number more than the 99% of public action. Carry on!
I've been talking with him in the lead up to the season, as he has not been overly high on Illinois this year, he has us #29 in in the country based on his model. I asked him about the discrepancy in power ratings between us and Duke, and his response was simple. "Duke stinks."
I'm feeling better about this game.
This is also my annual reminder that no, lines are not made up to generate 50% action on either side. If the public bets 1 million on Duke at +3, moving the line to +2.5, and a group of respected bettors bet $10K on Illinois at -2.5... that number is going to move back to 3. The respected 1% of action will influence a number more than the 99% of public action. Carry on!
In basketball Duke calls it a Blue ball out.
"Blue Up" their Blue Out?
Pretty cogent analysis, I think (though I think we win). It will be interesting to see how well Luke handles the blitzes. I do think it will be a low-scoring game.
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