Nebraska may take exception to this, but the Illinois Fighting Illini heading to Bloomington to face the Indiana Hoosiers in primetime is effectively a meeting of the Big Ten’s two Playoff darkhorses.
Instinct may be to heap praise on the Hoosiers’ offense, but my Illinois vs. Indiana predictions see the Hoosiers’ defense as the most important unit in this matchup.
Find out more in my college football picks for Saturday, September 20.
Illinois vs Indiana prediction
Illinois vs Indiana best bet: Indiana -6.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
Blowout wins can cover up flaws. Recognizing those shortcomings can then yield later value.
Such is the case when looking back at Illinois’s route of Duke two weeks ago.
That was only a rout because of the Blue Devils’ five turnovers, obviously a hefty thought, but still a pertinent caveat.
Otherwise, Duke succeeded on more plays, held Illinois in check on the ground, and created havoc at a rate that would have flipped the script to a Blue Devils’ blowout if not for those repeated and egregious errors.
Illinois vs. Indiana, primetime NBC, and I will be most watching the Illinois offense vs. the Indiana defense.
— Douglas Farmer (@D_Farmer) September 18, 2025
In some large part because I view the Hoosiers' offense as a relative inevitability on Saturday night. https://t.co/IwSeYAP3m6 pic.twitter.com/F1neCCKHfG
Focus on holding the Illini rushing attack in check — gaining just 0.02 expected points per rush attempt and succeeding on only 15 of 38 rush attempts — and the defensive havoc plays on 18 of 73 snaps.
Illinois’s offense was not moving forward consistently enough. It was consistent enough to win a game with a +4 turnover margin, but without that gift, this offense may have worries.
Against one of the most efficient offenses in the country? That worry becomes reason enough to bet against the Illini.
Indiana’s defensive strength comes against the pass; thus, Illinois will have to rely on that already worrying ground game.
Even if it finds more success, relying on a rushing attack to keep up with one of the most efficient and explosive passing attacks in the country is not a recipe to stay within a touchdown on the road.
Illinois vs Indiana same-game parlay
The season may be young, but teams have been noticeably adverse to throwing the ball against Indiana, ranking No. 15 in rush rate over expected against.
Illinois is already better off running the ball than throwing it, so leaning away from Luke Altymer and toward Kaden Feagin makes sense on both sides of this conversation.
Illinois vs Indiana SGP
- Indiana -6.5
- Luke Altmyer Under 219.5 passing yards
- Kaden Feagin Over 60.5 rushing yards
Our deep-ball SGP: Points Aplenty
Defensive havoc may end Illinois's hopes of an upset or even covering this spread, but defensive havoc can also create short-field scoring opportunities.
Whether that thought becomes reality or not, both these offenses have been relentless in converting quality drives into points this season, which should set up for a reasonably high-scoring game.
Illinois vs Indiana SGP
- Indiana -6.5
- Over 52.5
- Luke Altmyer Under 219.5 passing yards
- Kaden Feagin Over 60.5 rushing yards
Illinois vs Indiana odds
- Spread: Illinois +6.5 (-110 | Indiana -6.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Illinois +188 | Indiana -230
- Over/Under: Over 53.5 (-110) | Under 53.5 (-110)
Illinois vs Indiana trend to know
When favored by one score in the last season-plus, Indiana has cashed four Overs in five games. Find more college football betting trends for Illinois vs Indiana.
How to watch Illinois vs Indiana
| Location | Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN |
| Date | Saturday, September 20, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC |
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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