The ninth-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini will play host on Saturday night to the 0-2 Western Michigan Broncos from the MAC.
The Illini defense should have a field day with one of the worst offenses in the FBS, and this should be a nice tune-up game opportunity before starting conference play in the Big Ten.
Find out who I like in my Western Michigan vs. Illinois predictions and college football picks for Saturday, September 13.
Western Michigan vs Illinois prediction
Western Michigan vs Illinois best bet: Western Michigan TT Under 10.5 (-125)
The adage is that when you have two quarterbacks, you actually have none. Well, that could be the case with the Western Michigan Broncos, who have played both Brady Jones and Broc Lowery in each of the first two games. It has not worked out well for the offense as a whole.
Jones went 11/23 passing for 97 yards in their 23-6 loss to Michigan State and then 2/4 for 12 yards in their 33-30 loss to North Texas. Meanwhile, Lowery went 5/10 passing for 91 yards in the first game and 5/10 for 75 yards in the second.
Jalen Buckley is a solid running back, but he was shut down by the Spartans, gaining only nine carries for 21 yards. The Illinois Fighting Illini have a very good run defense, allowing only 27 yards on 26 carries to FCS Western Illinois and then shutting down Duke to only 82 yards on the ground on 24 carries.
Much like that game against Michigan State, the Broncos are not going to be able to move the ball, and Illinois is not going to give them opportunities off turnovers. I would be shocked if Western Michigan was able to reach double digits in this game.
Western Michigan vs Illinois same-game parlay
To add to the team total, I am going all in on an Illinois blowout. I will take Illinois to cover the game spread and the game total Over.
Western Michigan vs Illinois SGP
- Western Michigan TT Under 10.5
- Illinois -27.5
- Over 50.5
Western Michigan vs Illinois odds
- Spread: Western Michigan +27.5 (-110) | Illinois -27.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Western Michigan +1600 | Illinois -4500
- Over/Under: Over 50.5 (-110) | Under 50.5 (-110)
Western Michigan vs Illinois trend to know
Illinois has covered the Spread in nine of its last 13 games. Find more college football betting trends for Western Michigan vs Illinois.
How to watch Western Michigan vs Illinois
| Location | Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL |
| Date | Saturday, September 13, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FS1 |
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