The No. 12 Illinois Fighting Illini (0-0) square off against an FCS opponent, the Western Illinois Leathernecks (0-0), on Friday, August 29, 2025 at Memorial Stadium (Champaign, IL).

The Fighting Illini are very heavy favorites (currently -48.5) in their matchup against the Leathernecks, with the over/under being 63.5 points. (In terms of the moneyline, the Fighting Illini are and the Leathernecks are .)

Read on for our preview for this this matchup between the Fighting Illini and the Leathernecks, and find all of our predictions here, too!

Illinois vs. Western Illinois betting lines

• Spread favorite: Fighting Illini (-48.5)
• Moneyline: Fighting Illini (), Leathernecks ()
• Total: 63.5 points

Illinois vs. Western Illinois betting info and stats

• Illinois beat the spread eight times in 12 games last year.
• Last season, five of Illinois’ 12 games went over the point total.
• Western Illinois covered the spread five times in 10 games last season.
• Out of 10 Western Illinois games last season, eight went over the total.

Illinois vs. Western Illinois key players

Illinois Fighting Illini

• Last year Luke Altmyer had 2,717 passing yards (209.0 per game), a 60.8% completion percentage, 22 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also added 217 rushing yards on 99 carries with four rushing TDs (averaging 16.7 rushing yards per game).
• Last year, Josh McCray ran for 609 yards on 117 carries (46.8 yards per game) and scored 10 times.
• Aidan Laughery put up 589 yards on 97 carries (45.3 yards per game), with four rushing touchdowns last season.
• In the previous year, Patrick Bryant II grabbed 54 passes (on 83 targets) for 984 yards (82.0 per game). He also found the end zone 10 times.
• Zakhari Franklin also impressed receiving last year. He had 55 receptions for 652 yards and four touchdowns. He was targeted 96 times.
• Hank Beatty’s stat line last year: 294 receiving yards, 20 catches, one touchdown, on 30 targets.
• Gabe Jacas’ hard work last season produced a stat line of 8.0 sacks, 10.0 TFL and 62 tackles.
• Matthew Bailey went to work last year, collecting 82 tackles and one interception.
• Last season Xavier Scott had a huge stat line of four interceptions, 37 tackles, 1.0 TFL, one sack, and four passes defended.

Western Illinois Leathernecks

• Nathan Lamb averaged 277.5 passing yards per outing and threw 21 touchdowns last season. In addition, he added 348 yards rushing with eight touchdowns.
• Cameren Smith averaged 71.8 rushing yards and collected six rushing touchdowns. Smith added three receptions per game to average 27.8 receiving yards.
• Matthew Henry averaged 98.3 receiving yards and grabbed six receiving touchdowns over the course of the 2024 season.
• Elijah Aragon caught 64 passes last season on his way to 792 yards and seven receiving touchdowns.
• Christian Anaya hauled in 34 passes on his way to 365 receiving yards and two touchdowns a season ago.
• Last year Peyton Bradford racked up 4.0 sacks, 37 tackles, 1.0 TFL, one sack, and four passes defended.
• Christian Pierce had an impactful defensive performance last season with 21 tackles and one interception.
• A year ago KaRon Coleman recorded 16 tackles, 1.0 TFL, and 0.5 sacks as well as two interceptions.