Can't Wait For Saturday My guess: Illini will take third straight ... barely

On October 30, I examined the college point spreads to understand the Chicago oddsmakers' thoughts on Illinois and their upcoming Big Ten matchup against Maryland. Initially, I anticipated Illinois to be favored by 7-10 points, but to my surprise, they were listed as a 2.5-point underdog. This deviation might be attributed to history.

Apart from Maryland's impressive victory in 2018, which I attribute to Lovie Smith's tenure, the teams have delivered closely contested games. Maryland emerged victorious by three points in Bielema's inaugural season, and Illinois retaliated with a win at College Park in 2023.

I confidently predict a 27-24 victory for Illinois, with the winning touchdown scored late in the fourth quarter by Michael Clayton to Collin Dixon. This play will propel Dixon towards his school's single-season touchdown record, assuming at least four more games remain. Maryland's home advantage should not be underestimated, despite their inconsistent performance.

Your turn to share your predictions. Please email them to me, including the predicted scores for both teams, your name, current location, and whether you are an alumnus. Don't forget to include the early kickoff time and submit your picks by 11 a.m. on Saturday. A $50 Papa Del's gift card awaits any lucky individual who accurately scores the game. If you wish, present your predictions in the subject line for my convenience. Good luck, and enjoy the weekend.