Big Ten Betting Picks and Predictions: Illinois Fighting Illini at Indiana Hoosiers

Illinois-Indiana
Time: Saturday, Nov 9, 2013 at 3:30 PM ET
Spread: IND -10

Odds courtesy of Bovada

Indiana has suffered three straight losses to Michigan State, Michigan and Minnesota, but things are expected to get better as the team hosts another conference rival in Illinois this Saturday. College football oddsmakers at Bovada find the home team Hoosiers to be 10-point favorites over Illinois.

Indiana’s storyline for the season thus far has been great offense and horrible defense. The Hoosiers score 42 points per game, but their defense has allowed 37.8, which rank near the bottom of all D-1 teams (116th). The pass has been particularly successful for the Hoosiers, who boast the 12th ranked pass offense in the nation, generating 333.5 yards per game.

Hoosiers QB Nate Sudfeld has thrown for 1,915 yards with a 60.2 percent completion ratio and Tre Roberson has thrown for 724 yards, as well. The Hoosiers have had 25 pass TDs on the season to 10 INTs, seven of which came from Sudfeld.

The backfield has also been reasonably productive when called upon. Both Tevin Coleman and Stephen Houston boast six-plus yard per carry averages and Coleman has 10 TDs on the season.

Illinois, like Indiana, has a poor defense and the Fighting Illini have allowed 32.5 points per game this season while scoring just 29. The pass again is the method of choice by Illinois, but it hasn’t been as successful with it as Indiana. 268 yards per game and 35th in the nation is pretty solid, but the Fighting Illini have a much less effective rush attack and generate just 133 yards per game on the ground.