Northwestern Wildcats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction, 11/29/2025 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Northwestern Wildcats vs Illinois Fighting Illini

Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025

Location: Memorial Stadium in Champaign, IL

TV: FOX

Odds/Point Spread: Fighting Illini (-7.0)

Total/Over-Under: 47.5

The Illinois Fighting Illini (7-4) will try to defeat the Northwestern Wildcats (6-5) at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, November 29, 2025. Illinois opens this contest as 7.0-point favorites from oddsmakers. The total is set at 47.5.

The Northwestern Wildcats come into this game with a record of 6-5 for this year. The last time they took the field, the Wildcats took on the Minnesota Golden Gophers and walked away with a win by a score of 38-35. Against the run, the Wildcats gave up 59 yds on 17 tries, which is an average of 3.5 yds per run allowed. Northwestern allowed 20 pass completions on 31 attempts for 264 yds, and a completion percentage of 64.5%. When the final whistle blew, they ran 70 plays which totaled 525 yds. The Northwestern Wildcats ended up rushing 39 different times and recorded 220 yards, which is an average of 5.6 yards per attempt.

The Wildcats have racked up 3,933 yards in total for the year. In terms of notching touchdowns, Northwestern has earned 13 passing touchdowns and 15 rushing touchdowns. They have turned the ball over 17 different times. Northwestern has accrued 219 first downs as a unit, and they have been called for 50 penalties for 385 yds. As a team they have an average of 174.0 yards on the ground which is 52nd in college football. In terms of putting points on the board, the Northwestern Wildcats are averaging 23.4 PPG.

Concerning yards via the pass, the Wildcats are allowing 2,174 yards which has them ranked 38th in D-1. They have conceded 197.6 yards per game through the air and giving up a completion percentage of 62.8%. Over the course of this season, they are allowing 339.5 yards per outing ranking them 42nd in Division 1. They have surrendered 12 touchdowns via the pass as well as 17 touchdowns on the ground. They are allowing an average of 4.6 yards per run and 141.8 rushing yards per contest this season. For the season, they have allowed 1,560 yards via the running game in 11 games. The Wildcats rank 34th in D-1 concerning team defense, conceding 21.0 PPG.

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The Fighting Illini come into this matchup with a record of 7-4 for this season. The last time they took the gridiron, the Fighting Illini went home defeated by a final of 27-10 when they faced the Wisconsin Badgers. The Fighting Illini finished the game with a total of 298 yards on 64 plays (4.7 yards per play). Illinois ended up running for 1.7 yds per attempt, finishing the game with 50 yds on 29 attempts. Illinois allowed 44 attempts on the ground for 209 yds (4.8 yds per carry). The Fighting Illini secondary conceded a completion rate of 73.3%, surrendering 92 yards on 11 out of 15 passing.

Regarding the points being put on the board, the Fighting Illini are sitting 48th in the nation averaging 30.2 PPG. The Illinois Fighting Illini average 378.1 yards per game, which ranks them 79th in D-1. The Illinois offense has racked up 449 penalty yards on 51 infractions, which ranks 116th in college football in terms of helping out the opposition. They have tossed 6 interceptions while conceding 4 fumbles and they have tallied 235 1st downs. For the season to this point, the Fighting Illini have thrown for a total of 2,705 passing yards in addition to an average of 245.9 throwing yards per outing, ranking them 50th in the country. They average 132.2 yards per game via the rush and have toted the ball for 1,454 yards for the year.

The Fighting Illini are giving up 24.2 PPG, ranking them 64th in college football. Illinois has allowed a total of 1,397 yards via the ground game (127.0 yards/game) in addition to 14 touchdowns by way of the ground game so far this year. They have given up 18 touchdowns through the air as well as 232.3 yards/game, which has them ranked 87th in the nation. The Fighting Illini defense has taken the field for 726 plays, which ranks 59th in the nation. They have compiled 8 fumbles and 3 interceptions this season. This year, they have relinquished 266 pts.

Who will win tonight's Wildcats/Fighting Illini college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Wildcats +7.0

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