Analyzing the Odds: Illinois travels to Maryland

Illinois travels to Maryland in College Park this weekend.

The season has not lived up to expectations or the preseason hype thus far. Mistakes, miscues, and missed opportunities abound for the Illini. However, this weekend is another opportunity to try to get it right. Illinois attempts to notch its first conference win against the Maryland Terrapins. Illinois comes off a disappointing 20-7 loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Terrapins are also coming off a loss to Ohio State at the Horseshoe.

Both teams look to return to the win column this week. Maryland brings one of the best passing games in the conference, while the Illini look to put a four-quarter game together for the first time this season.

Illinois are underdogs against the Terps.

The Illini need to put together its best game of the season if it wants any hope of winning this weekend against the Terapins. If Illinois gives Maryland the number of opportunities it gave Nebraska, they’ll lose by four touchdowns. Illinois must play good football and keep Taulia Tagovailoa and that potent passing game on the bench.

Odds: Illinois +14/Maryland -14

Total: o/u 53.5

Moneyline: Illinois +432/Maryland -602

Keys to Victory:

The formula for an Illini win hasn’t changed all season. If there was one bright spot against Nebraska, it was three penalties. However, Illinois has to run the football and chew the clock against Maryland. The Terrapins are too explosive in the passing game for the offense to be sluggish. Luke Altmyer could use a game with no turnovers and some rhythm throwing the football.

The defense needs to pressure Tagovailoa. However, if he can sit back with time and throw the football, they are in trouble. The secondary is going to have a difficult enough time covering Maryland’s talented receivers. Moving Tagovailoa off his spot would be a help to the secondary.

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