Illinois Fighting Illini vs Kansas Jayhawks 9/8/2023 Odds, Picks and Game Forecast

Illinois Fighting Illini vs Kansas Jayhawks 9/8/2023 – Friday night lights will shine brightly as the University of Illinois Fighting Illini embarks on a journey to Kansas to take on the resurgent Kansas Jayhawks. This inter-conference clash promises to be a thrilling spectacle as both teams are riding high with 1-0 records early in the season. Kickoff for this exciting matchup is set for 7:30 PM EST, and fans from both sides can’t wait for the action to unfold. The NCAA football betting picks are up and running for an exciting game between these two top teams.

Team	SP/RL	TOTAL	ML
Fighting Illini	+3 (+100)	56.5 o (-110)	+138
Jayhawks	-3 (-120)	56.5 u (-110)	-158

The highest attendance for an Illinois home opener since 2010.

Thank you to our new +10,000 season ticket holders and +5,000 student season ticket holders!#Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy pic.twitter.com/8ZvrMsTTzB

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) September 4, 2023

Bret Bielema vs Lance Leipold

Illinois narrowly escaped an upset in their season opener, pulling off a dramatic 30-28 victory over Toledo last weekend. Head coach Bret Bielema, who boasts a perfect 3-0 record in season openers with the Fighting Illini, witnessed his team’s resilience in front of the largest home crowd since 2010. The game’s heroics came from kicker Caleb Griffin, who calmly nailed a 29-yard field goal with just five seconds remaining to secure the thrilling win.

Quarterback Luke Altmyer made an impressive debut as a starter for the Illini, going 18-for-26 for 211 yards. He showcased his dual-threat abilities, rushing for 69 yards, and threw two crucial touchdown passes, both to wide receiver Pat Bryant, who had a standout performance with six catches for 64 yards.

Notably, this victory was a testament to the Illini’s ability to adapt, as they featured 13 players making their debut. One of these newcomers, Miles Scott, made an immediate impact by notching his first career interception and transforming it into a pick-six in the third quarter. However, the defense faced challenges, allowing 416 total yards, including 230 through the air and 186 on the ground. Toledo also managed to win the time of possession battle, holding the ball for 32 minutes and 57 seconds compared to Illinois’ 25 minutes and 37 seconds.

Looking ahead to the 2023 season, the Fighting Illini are aiming to build on their previous success. Last year, they finished 77th in total offense, with a stronger showing in rushing (55th) than passing (98th). Defensively, they excelled, ranking fourth in total defense, ninth in rushing defense, and 11th in passing defense. The key to their success this year will be how effectively the revamped roster gels together.

The upcoming Friday night matchup against the Kansas Jayhawks will mark only the fifth meeting between these two schools in their histories, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this showdown.

NCAA Betting Odds: Kansas Jayhawks

The Kansas Jayhawks enter the 2023 season with high hopes after becoming one of the feel-good stories of 2022. They secured a bowl game berth for the first time since 2008, creating a wave of excitement around the program. Building on their momentum, the Jayhawks return an impressive 10 starters from last year’s offense, aiming for further improvement in the current season.

In their home and season opener, the Jayhawks showcased their offensive prowess, dominating Missouri State in a commanding 48-17 victory. Kansas orchestrated six touchdowns, including four on the ground. Quarterback Jason Bean, filling in for the injured Jalon Daniels, was a standout performer, completing 22 of 28 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns. The Jayhawks piled up 27 first downs and an impressive 521 total yards of offense in a display of offensive firepower.

Kansas’ defense also made a statement, holding Missouri State to a mere 17 points and limiting them to just 10 first downs. The Jayhawks allowed their opponents a paltry 217 total yards, with only 74 yards on the ground. The defense secured one sack and two interceptions, marking a significant improvement from last season when they ranked 128th in the nation in total defense. They struggled particularly against the run (125th) and pass (117th). This revamped defense will face a substantial test against a higher-caliber opponent in Illinois.

Trends

Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends

Illinois are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games.
Fighting Illini are 10-5 SU in their last 15 games.
Illinois are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games on the road.
Illinois are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games against an opponent in the Big 12 conference.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Illinois’ last 7 games played in September.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Illinois’ last 5 games played in week 2.

Kansas Jayhawks Betting Trends

Kansas are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas’ last 5 games.
Kansas are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games.
Kansas are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games at home.
Jayhawks are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games played in September.
Kansas are 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 games played in week 2.