The Big Ten takes center stage on Friday evening. The Maryland Terrapins visit the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first conference game for Maryland and the second for Illinois. The Terrapins (2-0) have dominated their non-conference competition. Illinois (1-2) is one of the few teams in the country to have played three games in 2021.
Kickoff is at 9 p.m. ET in Champaign. Caesars Sportsbook lists the Terrapins as 7.5-point favorites, while the over-under is 61, in the latest Maryland vs. Illinois odds. Before making any Illinois vs. Maryland picks or college football predictions, make sure to check out the college football predictions and analysis from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of over $3,500 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also enters Week 3 of the 2021 season on a 67-50 run on all top-rated college football picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Maryland vs. Illinois and just released its picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see its picks. Now, here are several college football odds and betting trends for Illinois vs. Maryland:
- Maryland vs. Illinois spread: Maryland -7.5
- Maryland vs. Illinois over-under: 61 points
- Maryland vs. Illinois money line: Maryland -320, Illinois +250
- MAR: The Terrapins are 4-3 against the spread in the last seven games
- ILL: The Fighting Illini are 4-7 against the spread in the last 11 games
Featured Game | Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Maryland Terrapins
Why Maryland can cover
Maryland’s offense has been spectacular in the early going, and it begins with starting quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa. The junior signal-caller and brother of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is averaging 9.6 yards per pass attempt, and he has 606 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions this season.
As a team, the Terps are averaging 10.0 yards per pass attempt, and they rank near the top of the Big Ten in passing offense. On the ground, senior running back Tayon Fleet-Davis is producing 107 total yards per game, and he is generating 7.3 yards per carry in the early going. All told, Maryland is No. 3 in the Big Ten in total yards, averaging 535 per game, and the Terrapins lead the conference in scoring at 46.0 points per game.
Why Illinois can cover
Maryland’s numbers are impressive this season but, when taking competition into account, there should be skepticism about the legitimacy of its resume. In 2020, Maryland allowed 32 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the Big Ten, and the Terrapins badly struggled against the run. The Terps yielded 230 yards per game and 4.9 yards per carry to the opposition, and that could be a point of emphasis for Illinois.
The Illini have not been extremely explosive, but they’ve been efficient in converting nearly 42 percent of their third down chances. Artur Sitkowski has six touchdown passes and no interceptions this season, and projected starting quarterback Brandon Peters could return after an early exit in the season opener. Isaiah Williams, a freshman wide receiver, has also been featured prominently, with more than six catches per game so far in 2021.
How to make Maryland vs. Illinois picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning under on the point total, with the teams projected to combine for 53 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 60 percent of simulations. You can only get the model’s Illinois vs. Maryland pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Maryland vs. Illinois? And which side of the spread hits in over 60 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the Maryland vs. Illinois spread you need to jump on Friday, all from the model that has crushed its college football picks, and find out.
