Eastern Illinois Panthers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 8/29/24 – Now, we are about to have a new college football season, and fans and bettors are looking forward to the game between Eastern Illinois Panthers and Illinois Fighting Illini. The two teams will be starting their games with something to prove this 2024 season- the Panthers had an 8-3 last year while the Illini managed to win only 5 matches against seven losses. This game is slated for Thursday at Memorial Stadium, and it will not only determine the toughness of these two teams but also offer some interesting NCAAF betting predictions and odds.
Eastern Illinois Panthers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 8/29/24
| When: | Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Memorial Stadium |
| TV: | BTN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers | +27.5 (-110) | 45.5 over (-112) | +1200 |  |
| Fighting Illini | -27.5 (-122) | 45.5 under (-110) | -5000 | |
| ||||
A great #DakCollege football project is up and running at @EIU_Panthers! The new video display and scoreboard are ready for the season to kick off! #EIUBleedBlue @EIU_FB #WeNotMe pic.twitter.com/yQzFJupAUS
— Daktronics (@Daktronics) August 23, 2024
The odds reflect a strong favoritism towards Illinois, with a massive -5000 on the moneyline compared to Eastern Illinois’s +1200. The spread at 27.5 points underlines expectations for a one-sided game, potentially influenced by the teams’ performance in previous seasons.
Pierce Holley QB vs. Luke Altmyer QB
A commendable season saw Pierce Holley come back to the helm for the Panthers, completing 60.8% of his 393 attempts for 2,723 yards. However, his 35 sacks and 7 interceptions hinted at potential susceptibility under pressure. The Panther’s last year longest pass completion was thrown by Holley from 54 yards hence his deep-lying skill will be essential when facing Illinois’ defense.
On the other hand, it is Luke Altmyer who steps in for Illinois with a slightly better completion rate of 64.8% and 1883 passing yards. Though he was pressurized comparatively less and had only 34 sacks, Altmyer returned a similar number of interceptions as ten. His passer rating (131.9) is slightly higher than Holley’s (129.7), which implies that he copes better with tense situations.
The duel between quarterbacks will be crucial because Holley throws more aggressively while Altmyer adopts a more calculated approach to passing the ball forward. Both teams should use their strong lines of defense to exploit weaknesses in each other’s game plan and win this match.
Eastern Illinois’s Ground and Air Attack
The panthers would not have used the same offensive strategy without both MJ Flowers and Eli Mirza. With 5.4 yards per attempt and 8 scores, this man can provide a solid running game that may help hold the ball more and prevent Illini’s defense from cheating. Suppose there is anything dangerous that could ignite playmaking opportunities against an Illini secondary that has been exposed. In that case, it is undoubtedly Mirza’s contribution to the receiving corps, illustrated with 12.6 yards per reception.
Illinois’s Response on the Ground and Through the Air
Illinois is represented by Kaden Feagin and Pat Bryant, who are two influential offensive players. It may be crucial for Feagin to churn out yards after contact since it can help in setting up second and third downs. Altmyer passes the ball to Bryant seven times in a game, who usually has an average reception gain of 13 yards. In red-zone situations, Bryant is more likely than other Illinois receivers to be targeted by Altmyer because he has already scored touchdowns there.
Trends
Eastern Illinois Panthers Betting Trends
Eastern Illinois are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Eastern Illinois’ last 8 games.
Eastern Illinois are 0-6 SU in their last 6 games.
Panthers are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games on the road.
Eastern Illinois are 0-9 SU in their last 9 games against an opponent in the Big Ten conference.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends
Illinois are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Illinois’ last 5 games.
Illinois are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games at home.
Fighting Illini are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games played in August.
Illinois are 12-2 SU in their last 14 games played in week 1.
Eastern Illinois Panthers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction
Illinois is in a good place because of historical information and team dynamics that allow them to capitalize on their home advantage and the steam they have built early in the season. Nonetheless, such a widespread situation puts them at risk, given their ATS difficulties. The odds may not favor the Panthers, but they can make the game more competitive than it appears.
With regard to total, defensive lapses on both sides and August games with higher scores by Illinois suggest O/U 45.5 might be better for those who look beyond spreads at premier online sportsbooks for value betting options.
Score Prediction: Illinois 35, Eastern Illinois 7.
Hilbert Mayer
Sports Writer
Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.
Published on: August 26, 2024
Last updated: April 1, 2025