Illinois Fighting Illini at Arizona St Sun Devils
Saturday, September 8, 2012, 10:30 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Sun Devil Stadium – Tempe, Arizona
Opening Line: Arizona St -2
Current Line: Arizona St -4
Opening Total: 50
Current Total: 48
Opening Money Line: ASU -165 / Illinois +145
Current Money Line: ASU -190 / Illinois +160
The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Arizona St Sun Devils meet for the fourth time ever Saturday night in Tempe. The Illini won 17-14 last year in Champaign. That was the first meeting since Arizona St swept a home and home in 1987 and 1988.
Both schools have new coaches since that meeting last year, despite both making bowl games last year. Illinois hired Toledo coach Tim Beckman to replace Ron Zook, and Arizona St hired Pitt coach Todd Graham to replace Dennis Erickson.
Beckman and Illinois opened at home last week against Western Michigan. The Illini were 10 point favorites and the total was 50.5. Illinois jumped out to a 17-0 halftime lead, and both teams exchanged touchdowns in the second half. Illinois won a 24-7 game that wasn’t pretty, but it was effective.
Western Michigan had 259 total yards with -6 rushing yards, and 13 first downs. Illinois forced four Bronco turnovers, including a 60 yard pick six that put the icing on the cake in the fourth quarter for the Illini.
Illinois wasn’t exactly crisp on offense either. The Illini had 248 yards, including 133 passing yards. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase was 18/26 passing for 126 yards with one touchdown and an interception, along with 7 carries for 21 yards and a touchdown. Scheelhaase is listed as doubtful for the Arizona St game with an ankle injury. Sophomore Reilly O’Toole will likely start in his place. He threw only 3 passes last week. Last year as a freshman he threw for 270 yards with a touchdown and 4 interceptions. He doesn’t run as well as Scheelhaase, so the Illini will also have to replace that production.
Running back Josh Ferguson had 11 carries for 38 yards. Tight end Jon Davis had 6 carries for 54 yards. Ryan Lankford had one catch but it was a 64 yard touchdown reception. It isn’t good when just under half of your passing offense came on one play. Running back Donovann Young had 6 catches for 24 yards, and 11 carries for 2 yards.
Last week, Graham and Arizona St opened at home as 24.5 point favorites against Northern Arizona. The Sun Devils took a 42-0 halftime lead. Northern Arizona didn’t score a TD until the third quarter, and the extra point was blocked. The Sun Devils added 21 points to make the final 63-6.
The Sun Devils held the Lumberjacks to 237 total yards including 88 rushing yards, and 14 first downs. ASU forced 3 turnovers including a 45 yard interception return for a touchdown in the first half.
Arizona St gained 554 total yards including 305 rushing yards. Quarterback Taylor Kelly was 15 for 19 passing for 247 yards and a touchdown. Running back Marion Grice had 14 carries, 107 yards, and 3 touchdowns. D.J. Foster had 8 carries, 67 yards and a touchdown, along with 4 catches for 32 yards. Michael Eubank had 7 carries, 36 yards, and a touchdown. Cameron maarshall had 9 carries, 14 yards, and 2 touchdowns along with 2 catches for 28 yards. Tight end Chris Coyle, receiver Rashad Ross, and Richard smith were the top pass catchers.
Illinois is 4-1 ATS after gaining less than 275 total yards, 5-2 after allowing 100 rushing yards, 10-4 in road games, including 7-3 against teams with winning home records, 7-15 in non-conference games, 2-5 after passing for less than 170 yards, and 0-4 after a cover.
Arizona St is 5-1 ATS against Big Ten teams, 4-1 after allowing less than 170 passing yards, 8-3 after allowing less than 275 yards, 9-4-2 after gaining more than 450 total yards, 1-4-1 after a straight up win, and against teams with winning records, 1-5 overall, 0-4 after rushing for 200 yards or more, and 0-3-1 after a straight up win of more than 20 points.
Illinois really struggled on offense once Scheelhaase left the game early in the third quarter. One other thing is Illinois has to travel across country and play in 100 degree heat even in September at 7:30 pm local time. Because of those two factors I like Arizona St to cover the 4 point number.
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