The Northwestern Wildcats take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in Champaign, Illinois. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST on FOX.
Illinois is favored by 7 points on the spread with a moneyline of -280. The total is set at 44.5 points.
Here’s my Northwestern vs. Illinois prediction and college football picks for Saturday, November 29, 2025.
Northwestern vs Illinois Prediction
- Northwestern vs. Illinois Pick: Illinois -7 or Better
My Illinois vs. Northwestern best bet is on the Illini to cover. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Northwestern vs Illinois Odds
| Northwestern Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7 -110 | 44.5 -110o / -110u | +230 |
| Illinois Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7 -110 | 44.5 -110o / -110u | -280 |
- Northwestern vs Illinois point spread: Illinois -7 (-110), Northwestern +7 (-110).
- Northwestern vs Illinois over/under: 44.5 (-110o / -110u)
- Northwestern vs Illinois moneyline: Northwestern +230, Illinois -280
Northwestern vs Illinois Preview
I’ll keep this simple.
I make this closer to 10, and it’s a great buy-low, sell-high spot with the Illini coming off an embarrassing loss at Wisconsin (whose defense is playing at an incredible level at the moment).
At the same time, Northwestern just won thrillingly in the final seconds against Minnesota to clinch a bowl, which is a big deal for that team this year.
I expect the Illini to bounce back at home (where they’ve played much better all year) in primetime against a Wildcat team it can handle at the line of scrimmage, which should allow Luke Altmyer to move the ball through the air with relative ease.
I think we are getting Illinois at a discount here and could see the Wildcats coming out a bit flat.
Pick: Illinois -7 or Better
