The Maryland Terrapins take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in Champaign, Illinois, on Saturday, Nov. 15. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
Illinois is favored by 14.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -700. Maryland, meanwhile, enters as a +13.5 underdog and is +500 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 53.5 total points.
Here’s my Maryland vs. Illinois prediction and college football picks for Saturday, November 15.
Maryland vs Illinois Prediction
- Maryland vs. Illinois Pick: Maryland 1Q +6.5 (Play to +3.5)
My Illinois vs. Maryland best bet is on the Terrapins to cover the first-quarter spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Maryland vs Illinois Odds
| Maryland Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+14.5 -105 | 53.5 -110o / -110u | +500 |
| Illinois Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-14.5 -115 | 53.5 -110o / -110u | -700 |
- Maryland vs Illinois Spread: Illinois -14.5, Maryland +14.5
- Maryland vs Illinois Over/Under: 53.5 Points
- Maryland vs Illinois Moneyline: Maryland +500, Illinois -700
Maryland vs Illinois College Football Betting Preview
Maryland Terrapins Betting Preview: Crawling Out of a Shell
The Terrapins are desperate to stop the bleeding. They have lost five straight coming into this matchup and are now tasked with going on the road to face a well-tested Illinois team.
However, Maryland's freefall has created value heading into this matchup. The Terps aren't nearly as bad as their recent play suggests and have a real opportunity to get things going offensively.
The Terrapins throw the ball at the fifth-highest rate in the country, and they do so very inefficiently.
However, quarterback Malik Washington and company face an Illinois defense that ranks 116th in opponent completion percentage and 78th in yards per pass allowed.
Washington doesn't take sacks, nor does he throw interceptions. He should be able to complete passes at a high rate in this matchup, which, combined with Maryland's fast tempo, should put the Fighting Illini's defense on its heels early.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview: No Fight in the Trenches
On the other side of this matchup, we get to highlight another pass-heavy offense led by Luke Altmyer. Altmyer has had an excellent season as he comes into this matchup ninth in the nation in completion percentage and 20th in yards per pass.
While Altmyer has certainly been effective, his offensive line has done him no favors this season, and that will continue for the Fighting Illini's offense in this one. Illinois ranks 112th in Sack Rate allowed, while Maryland is 32nd in Sack Rate defensively.
The Terps have created consistent pressure, and that has led to a bevy of turnovers, shown by Maryland's second-best opponent interception rate. It shouldn't be a surprise to see Altmyer take plenty of hits that may lead to interceptions or fumbles.
Maryland vs Illinois Pick, Betting Analysis
This first-quarter spread is way too high when you consider that it's near the first-half spread. While the line at DraftKings stands out, you can get the Terps in the first quarter at numbers higher than 3.5 at plenty of places.
We should see Maryland come out hot in this matchup. It has to be motivated to snap its losing streak. Look for its passing attack to be efficient and its defensive line to cause Havoc.
Pick: Maryland 1Q +6.5 (Play to +3.5)
Maryland vs Illinois Betting Trends
