Western Michigan vs. Illinois, Picks and Prediction, Saturday, September 13, 2025
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Western Michigan (0-2, 0-0 MAC) will be trying to pull off an upset when they visit Memorial Stadium on Saturday night to face #9 Illinois (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) at 7 PM. ET. Read on to find out which team picks up the win in this Broncos vs. Fighting Illini Prediction. When it comes to NCAAF selections, our College Football Picks are stellar.
The Broncos are coming off a 33-30 loss to North Texas as 11.5-point underdogs. The Fighting Illini are coming off a 45-19 win over Duke as 2.5-point favorites.
Illinois is 3-2 in five games against Western Michigan. The last meeting was in 2016.
Western Michigan Looking For First Win
The Broncos are off to a bad start this season after dropping their first two games. They will try to snap their losing streak and pick up the biggest upset in school history with a win on Saturday.
Western Michigan is averaging 18 points per game through two games. They are throwing for 137.5 yards and rushing for 122.5 yards per game.
Broc Lowry completed 50 percent of his passes for 75 yards and one touchdown in the loss to North Texas. He also had 12 carries for 66 yards and two touchdowns. Jalen Buckley had 30 carries for 112 yards. He also led the team with two catches for 51 yards and one touchdown.
Western Michigan is giving up 28 points per game through two games. They are giving up 181.5 rushing yards and 189.5 passing yards per game. 
Illinois Going For Third Consecutive Win
The Fighting Illini have played well so far, picking up wins over FCS Western Illinois and Duke to start the season, while covering the spread for the sixth straight game. They will try to keep the momentum going and pick up their third straight win when they play on Saturday.
Illinois is averaging 57.5 points per game through two games. They are throwing for 263.5 yards and rushing for 166 yards per game.
Luke Altmyer completed 71 percent of his passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Duke. Kaden Faegin had 17 carries for 48 yards and one touchdown, while Hank Beatty had eight catches for 128 yards.
Illinois is giving up 11 points per game through two games. They are giving up 82 rushing yards and 356 passing yards per game.
Western Michigan vs. Illinois Pick
Point Spread Pick for Western Michigan vs. Illinois
- Illinois -27.5 (5 Units)
The Fighting Illini have won two straight games, while the Broncos have lost two straight games. Illinois has the advantage here because they have one of the best offenses in the nation and move the ball effectively through the air and on the ground. The Broncos have struggled defensively against inferior competition, especially against the run, so expect the Fighting Illini to have their way on the ground in this game.
The Broncos haven’t played well offensively this season, with one of the worst passing games in the country, and a ground game that’s just a little better. Even though the Fighting Illini have struggled against the pass, they don't have to worry about the Broncos beating them on the ground, which will allow them to focus on stopping the Broncos from beating them through the air. Take Illinois to cover the spread.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Rob Vinciletti | +3,530.00 |
| 2 |  Nick Parsons | +951.00 |
| 3 |  Stephen Nover | +743.00 |
| 4 |  Tom Macrina | +196.00 |
| 5 |  Rocky Atkinson | +128.00 |
Over/Under Pick for Western Michigan vs. Illinois
- Over 50 (4 Units)
The Fighting Illini played over the total in four of their last six games. Illinois averages 57.5 points per game. They run the ball 54 percent of the time, and they’re facing a defense that is 102nd in the country against the run, so expect them to score at least 40 points in this game. The Broncos average 18 points per game. Even though they throw the ball 40 percent of the time, they are facing the 130th-ranked pass defense in the nation, and will exploit the defense. Expect these teams to score enough points to push the score over the total.
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