Two teams that started strong but have stumbled lately meet in Champaign, IL, on Saturday afternoon as the 4-4 Rutgers Scarlet Knights face the 5-3 Illinois Fighting Illini.
Rutgers snapped a four-game skid with a win over Purdue last week, while Illinois has dropped two straight and three of its last five.
Find out who I like in my Rutgers vs. Illinois predictions and college football picks for Saturday, November 1.
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Rutgers vs Illinois prediction
Rutgers vs Illinois best bet: Over 62.5 (-105 at FanDuel)
It has been a struggle in Big Ten play for these two teams and the biggest reason is their inability to stop opposing offenses. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights rank 111th in scoring defense allowing 30.6 points per game. The Illinois Fighting Illini rank 90th allowing 27.5 per contest.
In Big Ten play, Rutgers has allowed 37.4 points per game while Illinois has allowed 39.6 points per contest. The good news is that both teams average scoring more than 30 points per game on offense.
Both teams have had incredible quarterback play with Athan Kaliakmanis throwing for 2223 yards and 12 touchdowns to only five interceptions for Rutgers. Luke Altmeyer has 2020 yards and 15 touchdowns to only three interceptions. Both defenses allow nearly 245 yards per game through the air this season.
While Illinois is the better team and a decent sized favorite, they are still going to give up a ton of yards and likely a lot of points. With both passing games firing against bad passing defenses, this game could easily turn into a shootout. The weather should be solid as well.
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Rutgers vs Illinois same-game parlay
To add to my best bet, I am going to add both quarterbacks to go Over their passing touchdowns number and Kaliakmanis to hit his yardage total since he will likely be playing from behind.
Rutgers vs Illinois SGP
- Over 62.5
- Athan Kaliakmanis Over 1.5 passing TDs
- Luke Altmeyer Over 2.5 passing TDs
- Athan Kaliakmanis Over 250.5 passing yards
Our deep-ball SGP: Spread the Wealth
Altmeyer likes to spread the ball around and I am going to add two different wideouts to score a touchdown from his three plus passing touchdowns.
Rutgers vs Illinois SGP
- Over 62.5
- Athan Kaliakmanis Over 1.5 passing TDs
- Luke Altmeyer Over 2.5 passing TDs
- Athan Kaliakmanis Over 250.5 passing yards
- Hank Beatty anytime touchdown
- Collin Dixon anytime touchdown
Rutgers vs Illinois game predictions
Rutgers vs Illinois moneyline prediction
Illinois ML (-480): While both teams have struggled in Big 10 play, Illinois has played tougher teams and has a win over a good USC team.
Rutgers vs Illinois spread prediction
Rutgers +12.5 (-108): Most of the sharp money is on Rutgers here and this is just too big of a spread considering how poor the defenses are.
Rutgers vs Illinois Over/Under prediction
Over 62.5 (-105): Most of the sharp money is on the Over here with 68% of the money on the Over despite only getting 24% of the bets.
Rutgers vs Illinois odds
- Spread: Rutgers +12.5 (-108) | Illinois -12.5 (-112)
- Moneyline: Rutgers +370 | Illinois -480
- Over/Under: Over 62.5 (-110) | Under 62.5 (-110)
Rutgers vs Illinois trend to know
Rutgers has hit the Game Total Over in 10 of their last 13 games. Find more college football betting trends for Rutgers vs Illinois.
How to watch Rutgers vs Illinois
| Location | Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL |
| Date | Saturday, November 1, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 12:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC |
Rutgers vs Illinois latest injuries
Rutgers vs Illinois weather
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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