The Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-3) and the No. 24 Illinois Fighting Illini (6-2) square off on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Memorial Stadium (Champaign, IL) in a clash of Big Ten opponents.

The Fighting Illini are underdogs, but by less than a field goal (+2.5), against the Golden Gophers (with an over/under of 45 points).

Keep reading to check out our betting preview for this this game between the Golden Gophers and the Fighting Illini, and find all of our predictions here, too!

Minnesota vs. Illinois betting lines

• Spread favorite: Golden Gophers (-2.5)
• Moneyline: Golden Gophers (-126), Fighting Illini (+104)
• Total: 45 points

Minnesota vs. Illinois betting info and stats

Minnesota has won five games against the spread this season (5-2-1). Minnesota has covered the spread three times when playing as the favorite by at least 2.5 points (a 3-0-1 ATS record). Minnesota has been moneyline favorites four times this season, winning each game. Illinois has four wins against the spread through seven opportunities so far this season (4-2-1). Illinois is 4-1 ATS when it is the underdog by 2.5 points or more. Illinois’ record in games it’ve played as the underdog this year is 3-2.

Minnesota vs. Illinois recent stats and trends

Minnesota Golden Gophers

• Minnesota has covered the spread twice in its last three matchups while putting up a 3-0 record straight-up in those games.
• The final combined score of the past three Minnesota games surpassed the set total once.
• The past three Minnesota games averaged 1.2 fewer points (43.8) than this matchup’s over/under.

Illinois Fighting Illini

• Illinois is 1-2 against the spread over its past three games, and has a 3-0 straight-up record in those contests.
• The final combined score of the past three Illinois games exceeded the set total once.
• The past three Illinois games averaged 3.8 more points (48.8) than this matchup’s over/under.

Minnesota vs. Illinois key players

Minnesota Golden Gophers

• Max Brosmer has 1,776 yards passing for Minnesota, completing 69.5% of his passes and tossing 12 touchdowns and four interceptions this season.
• Darius Taylor has 513 rushing yards on 104 carries, scoring seven touchdowns. He’s also added 257 yards (32.1 per game) on 34 catches with two touchdowns.
• This season, Marcus Major has carried the ball 59 times for 243 yards (30.4 per game) and two touchdowns.
• Daniel Jackson’s leads his squad with 568 yards as a receiver. He’s racked up that yardage on 51 catches (out of 74 targets) and scored three touchdowns.
• Elijah Spencer has hauled in 28 receptions totaling 354 yards, finding the end zone four times as a receiver so far this campaign.
• Jah Joyner has collected 3.5 sacks to pace the team, while also picking up three TFL and 23 tackles.
• Cody Lindenberg is the team’s leading tackler this year. He’s amassed 44 tackles, one TFL, one sack, and one interception.
• Koi Perich has a team-high five interceptions to go along with five tackles and five passes defended.

Illinois Fighting Illini

• Luke Altmyer leads Illinois with 1,667 yards on 137-of-217 passing with 15 touchdowns compared to three interceptions this season. He has chipped in with 136 rushing yards (17 ypg) on 67 carries while scoring two touchdowns on the ground.
• Kaden Feagin is his team’s leading rusher with 67 carries for 306 yards, or 61.2 per game. He’s found paydirt three times on the ground, as well.
• Aidan Laughery has run for 268 yards across 48 attempts.
• Pat Bryant has racked up 504 receiving yards on 33 receptions to pace his team so far this season while scoring seven touchdowns as a receiver.
• Zakhari Franklin has caught 37 passes and compiled 450 receiving yards (56.3 per game) with one touchdown.
• Collin Dixon’s 16 targets have resulted in 11 grabs for 171 yards.
• Gabe Jacas has collected 6.5 sacks to lead the team, while also recording five TFL and 31 tackles.
• Illinois’ leading tackler, Dylan Rosiek, has 43 tackles, one TFL, and 1.5 sacks this year.
• Xavier Scott has a team-high three interceptions to go along with 17 tackles, one TFL, one sack, and three passes defended.