The Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington, Indiana. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
Indiana is favored by 6 points on the spread with a moneyline of -245. The total is set at 52.5 points.
Here’s my Illinois vs. Indiana prediction and college football picks for Saturday, September 20, 2025.
Illinois vs Indiana Prediction
- Illinois vs. Indiana Pick: Illinois +6 (-110, bet365)
My Indiana vs. Illinois best bet is on the Illini to cover. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Illinois vs Indiana Odds
| Illinois Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6 -110 | 52.5 -110o / -110u | +200 |
| Indiana Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6 -110 | 52.5 -110o / -110u | -245 |
- Illinois vs Indiana point spread: Indiana -6
- Illinois vs Indiana over/under: 52.5 points
- Illinois vs Indiana moneyline: Illinois +200, Indiana -245
Illinois vs Indiana Preview
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview: Contender in Champaign?
Illinois returned 16 starters from a team that won nine games last season, and was a fortunate schedule away from making the same College Football Playoff appearance that Indiana made a year ago.
While Indiana’s weak schedule has earned discussion, this veteran Illinois team is no stranger to big games, and it will need to rely on that experience in a significant spot on Saturday.
The Illini passed their first big test this season with flying colors — a 2.5-point spread on the road at Duke turned into a dominant showing and a 45-19 victory, announcing to the entire college football world that Bielema’s team is here to contend.
Quarterback Luke Altmyer has been stellar to start the year, totaling eight touchdowns without an interception through three games. After losing superstar receiver Pat Bryant to the NFL, a breakout star has emerged in Hank Beatty.
The dynamic Beatty, who is used on special teams in addition to being Altmyer’s favorite target, has 19 receptions for 289 yards, both more than double his nearest Illini teammate.
Beatty will need a big game as Altmyer’s calming presence on big downs, but he is just the kind of safety valve that can come up big on big downs.
Illinois is a bit healthier and well tested. Although it's worth mentioning that star defensive back Xavier Scott will likely miss the game on Saturday, which helps explain why the line has moved nearly two points in Indiana's favor.
Indiana Hoosiers Betting Preview: Prepping for A Repeat Season
It should be a raucous crowd in Bloomington this Saturday night. Indiana announced that this game was sold out all the way back in June.
That’s what happens when your program adopts an “SEC scheduling philosophy”, as head coach Curt Cignetti calls it. Games against Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, and Indiana State don’t exactly get the juices flowing, but they do lead to a perfect 3-0 record in non-conference play.
Cignetti sent a letter to his season ticket holders after Week 1, imploring them to be “fans for all four quarters”, and since then, Indiana has out-scored two opponents by a total of 129-9.
With a primetime game under the lights, the Hoosier crowd may have a significant impact here. But despite the homefield advantage, it remains to be seen how the lack of competition through three weeks affects his team coming into a game with College Football Playoff implications.
The scout on Indiana isn’t all that different from last season, when the Hoosiers shocked the world by making a run to the College Football Playoff. Cignetti wants to pour it on offensively, and has a star quarterback that can do just that.
Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza has thrown for nine touchdowns without an interception through three games. Mendoza has an NFL-ready arm and is projected as the #1 overall pick per some mock drafts.
This year’s Hoosier offense has been balanced through three games — complementing Mendoza is a trio of running backs that have combined for 307.7 rushing yards per game (good for third nationally).
The Hoosier running game has one hurdle to clear, however, and it might be a noteworthy one. Lee Beebe Jr., who led Indiana in rushing yards through its first two games, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Missing a key piece while facing serious competition for the first time all season is enough cause for concern to at least think the road team has a chance to make things interesting in Bloomington.
Illinois vs Indiana Pick, Betting Analysis
The reality is — these teams are remarkably similar in caliber.
Both come into this game with legitimate College Football Playoff hopes, and both have dominated conference opponents in the last calendar year, outside of major struggles against the big three (Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State).
Only one passing yard separates these two teams’ leading passers, Altmyer (709) and Mendoza (708). Just five rushing yards separate the two leading rushers, Kaden Feagin (222) and Kaelon Black (217). Just 10 receiving yards separate the two leading receivers, Omar Cooper Jr. (299) and the aforementioned Beatty (289).
In a game like this with two quality teams of similar caliber, I like to look to the margins for an edge. It’s a big spot, and it could come down to coaching and big game experience.
Cignetti is a genius, and he schedules the way he does for a reason. But it hasn’t helped his program in big games. Last year, Cignetti’s Hoosiers faced only three ranked opponents all season long: Michigan, Ohio State, and Notre Dame. Indiana went 0-3 against the spread in those big games, and an incredible 9-1 ATS vs. non-ranked teams.
Illinois has proven itself to be the opposite. Last year, Illinois played double the number of games against ranked opponents as Indiana. It acquitted itself tremendously, going 5-1 ATS in those games (including covers on the road at Nebraska and Penn State).
While Duke isn’t ranked this season for good reason, that was another huge game in a road environment that Bielema’s team passed with flying colors.
With 16 starters back, there’s no reason to doubt the Illini anymore. This is a group that has repeatedly played its best in games like this against an Indiana program that hasn’t proven it can do the same.
At the very least, the six-point spread favors the Illini in a game that could come down to a game-winning field goal attempt on either side.
Despite Scott's absence, take Illinois to cover, and enjoy the show.
Pick: Illinois +6 (-110, bet365)
