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Illinois Football: Info, Betting Lines, and Prediction Against Minnesota

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Illinois football team welcomes in the Minnesota Golden Gophers this weekend for their annual homecoming game.

Game Information

Game Time and Location: 11:00 AM CT; Memorial Stadium; Champaign, Illinois

Television: Big Ten Network

Spread: Minnesota -9.5

Minnesota Keys to the Game

Smith has rushed for over 100 yards in 4 out of the 7 games Minnesota has played this season.  Also, in games that Smith scores a touchdown Minnesota is 5-0; in games he doesn’t they are 0-2.

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Keep giving Smith the ball and they will likely win on Saturday.

The Golden Gophers need to keep the plays simple for Leidner.  No long passes because those have a chance at getting picked off.  In games he throws an interception Minnesota is 2-2 when he doesn’t they are 2-0.

Illinois Keys to the Game

The quarterback is still to be determined for the game so this leaves the burden of winning on the backs of the running backs.  Keep giving the ball to Kendrick Foster and Reggie Corbin and everything will be okay.

The Illinois wide receivers have struggled for the most part this season.  Malik Turner is the only one having a good year.

I want to see a healthy Desmond Cain get more involved in the offensive, as well as Sam Mays.  Illinois should look to keep the ball on the ground, but when they do pass the ball it needs to be spread out more.

Prediction

While Minnesota has a much better record than the Illini, I feel like it is a little overstated.  They don’t have a quality win and their quarterback isn’t good.

I think this game comes down to the running backs and who can breakout.  Illinois will come out running wild and will beat Minnesota 35-27.

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