Vegas Big Ten Predictions Week 12: Wisconsin-Nebraska and More

Nov 1, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Josh Ferguson (6) makes a catch during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa Hawkeyes at Illinois Fighting Illini

Line: Iowa by 3.5

Saturday Blitz Vegas Big Ten Prediction: Illinois Wins 31-27

This may be going a little bit out on a limb, but the Illinois Fighting Illini showed something with their upset over Minnesota and have Wes Lunt back under center for this game.

Add to that the fact that the Iowa Hawkeyes have shown nothing to even hint that they are a decent team this year despite being bowl eligible, and it makes an upset pick in the Fighting Illini’s favor very easy to call.

Illinois likes to open up the offense, which it will do much better with Lunt back, and the Big Ten style of football that exists in Iowa is not great at handling something like that. The Fighting Illini may not play defense, but Iowa simply doesn’t have enough offense to even hint that something like a bad defense will help them out.

Iowa’s blowout loss last week to Minnesota can’t be ignored, the same way their loss to Maryland can’t be ignored. And now their loss to Iowa State just looks flat-out pathetic. These guys haven’t played anybody and aren’t legitimate Big Ten contenders.

And keep in mind that Illinois still has a bowl game to play for. They’ll be exposing the Hawkeyes in the process of trying to get there.

Next: Ohio State-Minnesota Prediction