Will Michigan Beat Notre Dame Again? Who Wins Ohio St. vs. Virginia Tech? What About Michigan St. vs. Oregon? Here are our Vegas Big Ten Predictions for Week 2
Vegas Big Ten Predictions
Western Kentucky at Illinois
Line: Illinois by 6
The Illinois Fighting Illini might be in some serious trouble in Tim Beckman’s third season. Not like it’s any different from the past, but the defense will still be a problem this year, and after the offense struggled to dominate Youngstown State last week in a 28-17 win, there could be some problems. The positives: the offense was still very efficient, with Wes Lunt throwing for 4 touchdowns and 282 yards, and it’s worth noting that Youngstown State relied on controlling the truck heavily and mounting long drives to keep the score down. But Illinois still had to punt 7 times. Now, they run into a Western Kentucky, who is certain to put up big numbers against this defense after hanging 59 on Bowling Green last week. For Illinois to win, the offense will have to match it.
Western Kentucky showed no sign of leaving the Bobby Petrino era last week after Brandon Doughty had an incredible 569 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also completed 46 of 56 passes and had a Total QBR of 93.5, so he was valuable in every way against the 2013 MAC champions. Bowling Green was able to contain dark-horse Heisman candidate Jordan Lynch last year for Northern Illinois, but they couldn’t contain Doughty. Oh, and Leon Allen added 99 yards rushing in an offensive clinic. The Hilltoppers will be looking to win a shootout again this week and put up big numbers, but will it be enough to pull of the upset?
Prediction
On paper, this has all the makings of an upset. A mid-major team that is an offensive juggernaut on the road against a Power Five team with a very bad defense that struggled in a game against an FCS team last year. And it’s going to happen. Illinois is getting better each year under Beckman, but there’s no way they stop this Western Kentucky offense, and their offense isn’t good enough to keep up late into the fourth quarter. Western Kentucky wins a shootout.
Western Kentucky: 45 Illinois: 38