Last year, two upstart College Football Betting Bowl programs were the Illinois Fighting Illini and Kansas Jayhawks. Both teams emerged from years of misery to earn bowl berths and respect. But with that success comes increased betting attention and fan expectations. And the irony for both teams is that they could be better than last year but with worse records. On Friday night, Kansas will host Illinois. This game could be key to the bowl hopes of the Jayhawks and Fighting Illini. Both programs are coming off season-opening wins and bring credibility.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Kansas Jayhawks Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Friday, September 8, 2023, 7:30 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawerence, KS |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN2 |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | +3 (-110) | 55 -(110) | +140 |  |
| Kansas | -3 (-110) | 55 (-110) | -165 | |
| ||||
Illinois Fighting Illini Team Overview
Last game, the Illinois Fighting Illini won 30-28 against the Toledo Rockets as 7.5-point home favorites. The game went over the sportsbook total of 45. Illinois has a record of 1-0 straight up, 0-1 against the spread, and 1-0 over/under the total. Illinois ranks 72nd for total offense, 74th for passing, 57th for rushing, and 68th for scoring. Defensively, they rank 96th overall, 77th against the pass, 104th against the rush, and 87th for points allowed. Also, Illinois ranks 27th for fewest turnovers lost and 46th for takeaways.
Namely, Caleb Griffin kicked a 29-yard field goal in the closing seconds. And that gave Illinois a 30-28 victory over Toledo in the season opener for both teams on Saturday night. Luke Altmyer threw for two touchdowns. At the same time, Miles Scott returned an interception 48 yards for a score. The Illini squeezed out the win in a back-and-forth game to start coach Bret Bielema’s third season.
Altmyer was 18 of 26 for 211 yards with an interception in his Illinois debut. Also, the transfer from Mississippi ran for 69 yards. He beat out Ball State graduate transfer John Paddock and Donovan Leary for the starting job. So, too, did Josh McCray run for a touchdown. The Illini committed ten penalties for 100 yards. Yet they made enough plays to come away with the win after struggling down the stretch last year. They lost four of their final five games, a sour finish to a breakthrough, eight-win season.
Kansas Jayhawks Team Overview
Last game, the Kansas Jayhawks won 48-17 against the Missouri State Bears as 32.5-point home favorites. The game went over the total of 60. Kansas has a record of 1-0 straight up, 0-1 against the spread, and 1-0 over/under the total. Kansas ranks 21st for total offense, 45th for passing, 19th for rushing, and 21st for scoring. Defensively, they rank 21st overall, 32nd against the pass, 26th against the rush, and 57th for points allowed. Also, Kansas ranks 94th for fewest turnovers lost and 22nd for takeaways.
It is true that Jason Bean could have transferred out of Kansas. Following the loss of the starting quarterback job to Jalon Daniels. Instead, Bean was the backup QB and even played a bit of wide receiver. Still dealing with a back injury, Daniels sat out the Jayhawks’ season-opener against Missouri State. Bean responded by throwing for 276 yards and two touchdowns while helping Kansas overcome a slow start in a 48-17 victory over the Bears.
Now Daniels, the preseason Big 12 offensive player of the year, is expected to be available against Illinois next Friday.
Illinois at Kansas SBG Free Picks
In this situation, Illinois will offer more College Football Betting value as the quality away team.
Illinois at Kansas SBG Best Bet: Illinois Fighting Illini.