Illinois Fighting Illini at Washington Huskies
Husky Stadium – Seattle, Washington
Saturday, September 13, 2014, 4:00 pm Eastern, TV: Fox
Opening Line: Washington -15
Current Line: Washington -13 1/2
Opening Total: 64 1/2
Current Total: 65
Opening Money Line: Washington -600 / Illinois +450
Current Money Line: Washington -500 / Illinois +400
Both the Illinois Fighting Illini and Washington Huskies are 2-0 as they meet Saturday in Seattle. However, both have looked less than impressive in narrow wins over not very stellar competition.
Illinois is coached by Tim Beckman. The Illini have home wins over Youngstown State 28-17 and Western Kentucky 42-34 despite trailing in the fourth quarter in both games. Illinois is 1-1 ATS and the total is also 1-1 this season. The Illini were 3.5 point favorites at home against Western Kentucky and the total was 68.5.
Washington is coached by Chris Petersen in hist first year with the Huskies. Washington won at Hawaii 17-16 and at home against Eastern Washington 59-52. The Huskies are 0-2 ATS and the total is 1-1 this season. Washington was a 17.5 point favorite against Eastern Washington and the total was 62.5.
Washington leads the series 6-4 against Illinois including 3-1 in Seattle. The Huskies won last year in Chicago 34-24, in the first meeting since 1972. Illinois beat Washington 17-7 in the 1964 Rose Bowl.
The Illini are outscoring teams 35-26 this season . Illinois is averaging 443 total yards a game including 371 passing yards and 72 rushing yards. On defense, Illinois is giving up 390 total yards per game including 237 passing yards and 153 rushing yards. The Illini are -1 in turnovers with 3 takeaways. Illinois is 17/29 on third and fourth down conversions and opponents are 15/40. Illinois is 7/10 scoring in the red zone with 7 touchdowns and opponents are 8/8 with 4 touchdowns. The Illini average 62 penalty yards per game and opponents average 25. Illinois has forced 5 sacks and allowed 2 this season. The Illini have one interception return for a touchdown.
Illinois quarterback Wes Lunt has completed 67% of his passes for 741 yards with 7 touchdowns and an interception. Donovonn Young has 23 carries for 86 yards and a touchdown. Josh Ferguson has 25 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown, plus 6 catches for 58 yards and a touchdown. Four Illinois receivers have at least 7 catches. Mike Dudek and Martize Barr both have 2 touchdown catches. Geronimo Allen and Malik Turner each have 10 catches.
Washington is outscoring teams 38-34 this season, The Huskies are averaging 436 yards per game including 171 passing and 265 rushing yards. On defense, the Huskies are allowing 499 yards per game including 341 passing and 158 rushing yards. The Huskies are +2 in turnovers and have yet to lose a turnover. Washington is averaging 68 penalty yards per game and opponents are averaging 44. The Huskies are 15/31 on third and fourth down conversions, and opponents are 21/41. Washington has forced 9 sacks and allowed 1. The Huskies are 9/9 scoring in the red zone with 7 touchdowns, and opponents are 7/8 with 3 touchdowns.
Washington quarterback Cyler Miles was suspended for the opener at Hawaii and replaced by Jeff Lindquist. Miles returned against Eastern Washington. He completed 14 of 24 passes for 180 yards with a touchdown, and also had 12 carries for 58 yards and 3 touchdowns. Lindquist threw for 162 yards and a touchdown against Hawaii. Running back Lavon Coleman has 34 carries for 196 yards and a touchdown. Dwayne Washington has 22 carries for 73 yards and 2 touchdowns. John Ross has 4 catches for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Illinois is 4-0 ATS in September, 4-1 in non-conference games and after a straight up win, 6-13 on fieldturf, 5-12 after gaining 450 total yards or more, 9-23 after passing for more than 280 yards, 2-10 after a cover, 1-6 against teams with winning home records, and 1-9 in road games.
Washington is 11-4-1 ATS after allowing more than 40 points, 8-3 after failing to cover, 15-6 at home, 5-2 after rushing for more than 200 yards, 9-4 after gaining more than 450 total yards, 3-7 overall and after scoring more than 40 points, 2-5 against teams with winning records, and on fieldturf, and 1-3-1 against Big Ten teams.
Both teams have struggled on defense so far especially Washington. Both are lucky to be 2-0 and haven’t faced a team the caliber of the other. This seems like a lot of points even though Illinois has to travel across the country. I liek Washington to win a close game at home.
