Central Michigan at Illinois - 2024 Matchup Preview

Central Michigan Chippewas at Illinois Fighting Illini(#9)

Saturday, September 14th 2024 (12:00 PM EDT)
Illinois -21.5 (49.5) (-1600) Open: -18.0 | 52.5
Illinois 30 - Central Michigan: 9

Chippewas (4 - 8) (6 - 6 - 0)
Coach Jim McElwain (29 - 28)
Avg Score : 23 - 30 (15 - 35 on Road)
Record Prediction: 4 - 8 (#101)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

CMU 2nd straight Road Game
ILL 3rd straight Home Game
Our Line: Illinois -25.5 (SP+ ILL -25)
Projected Score: CMU: 13 - ILL: 39 (52)
ILL Win prob: 95% | Cover: 49%
CMU Travel: 299 miles, 1 hrs ahead

Fighting Illini (10 - 3) (9 - 4 - 0)
Coach Bret Bielema (18 - 19)
Avg Score : 28 - 22 (32 - 18 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 10 - 3 (#17)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
CMU Players
ILL Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Central Michigan's 2024 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Thu 8/29	Central Michigan vs Central Connecticut	-33.5	54.5	W 66 - 10	O	Y
Sat 9/7	Central Michigan vs Florida International	-3.5	51.5	L 16 - 52	O	N
Sat 9/14	Central Michigan at Illinois	+21.5	49.5	L 9 - 30	U	Y
Sat 9/21	Central Michigan vs Ball State	-6.5	51.0	W 37 - 34	O	N
Sat 9/28	Central Michigan vs San Diego State	-2.5	47.5	W 22 - 21	U	N
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/12	Central Michigan vs Ohio	+3.0	50.5	L 25 - 27	O	Y
Sat 10/19	Central Michigan at Eastern Michigan	+3.5	52.5	L 34 - 38	O	N
Sat 10/26	Central Michigan at Miami (OH)	+10.5	48.5	L 7 - 46	O	N
	BYE WEEK
Tue 11/5	Central Michigan vs Bowling Green	+14.5	47.5	L 13 - 23	U	Y
Tue 11/12	Central Michigan at Toledo	+15.0	52.5	L 10 - 37	U	N
Tue 11/19	Central Michigan vs Western Michigan	+6.0	56.0	W 16 - 14	U	Y
Sat 11/30	Central Michigan at Northern Illinois	+16.5	41.5	L 16 - 24	U	Y

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Central Michigan's Schedule

Illinois's 2024 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Thu 8/29	Illinois vs Eastern Illinois	-28.5	50.5	W 45 - 0	U	Y
Sat 9/7	Illinois vs Kansas	+4.5	58.5	W 23 - 17	U	Y
Sat 9/14	Illinois vs Central Michigan	-21.5	49.5	W 30 - 9	U	N
Fri 9/20	Illinois at Nebraska	+9.5	41.5	W 31 - 24	O	Y
Sat 9/28	Illinois at Penn State	+19.5	48.0	L 7 - 21	U	Y
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/12	Illinois vs Purdue	-22.5	47.5	W 50 - 49	O	N
Sat 10/19	Illinois vs Michigan	+6.0	44.0	W 21 - 7	U	Y
Sat 10/26	Illinois at Oregon	+22.5	54.0	L 9 - 38	U	N
Sat 11/2	Illinois vs Minnesota	+2.5	47.0	L 17 - 25	U	N
	BYE WEEK
Sat 11/16	Illinois vs Michigan State	-2.0	47.5	W 38 - 16	O	Y
Sat 11/23	Illinois at Rutgers	+2.0	48.0	W 38 - 31	O	Y
Sat 11/30	Illinois vs Northwestern	-8.5	42.5	W 38 - 28	O	Y
Tue 12/31	Illinois vs South Carolina	+9.5	50.0	W 21 - 17	U	Y

Important Stats (2024)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
CMU	#96 (.15)	39% (115)	22.6	42% (88)	3.2 (41)	169	34% (124)	163	3.82 (80)	#96 (.21)	40% (44)	29.7	41% (48)	39% (50)	3.6 (45)	60.9	2	0.4
ILL	#31 (.25)	45% (45)	28.3	45% (51)	3.14 (49)	140	44% (44)	198	4.23 (39)	#76 (.18)	46% (115)	21.7	50% (127)	43% (90)	3.48 (37)	39	0.9	1.5

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
CMU	#96 (.15)	39% (115)		42% (88)	3.2 (41)	169	34% (124)	163	3.82 (80)	#96 (.21)	40% (44)		41% (48)	39% (50)	3.6 (45)	60.9	2	0.4
ILL	#31 (.25)	45% (45)		45% (51)	3.14 (49)	140	44% (44)	198	4.23 (39)	#76 (.18)	46% (115)		50% (127)	43% (90)	3.48 (37)	39	0.9	1.5

Overall Stats 2024

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
CMU Offense	12	22.6	15.2	38.7%	3.82	2	18	332	169	163	4.5	57%	43%	42%	34%	20%	.15
ILL Defense	13	21.7	17.6	46.3%	3.48	1.5	-	-	-	-	-	48%	52%	50%	43%	13%	.18

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
CMU Defense	12	29.7	35	39.9%	3.6	0.4	-	-	-	-	-	52%	48%	41%	39%	18%	.21
ILL Offense	13	28.3	32	44.6%	4.23	0.9	19	338	140	198	4.4	53%	47%	45%	44%	18%	.25

Additional Stats 2024

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Central Michigan	12	29:26	17.9	35%	58%	6.8	60.9	2	0.4	7.7	2.6	3	27.1
Illinois	13	26:52	18.7	44%	50%	5.1	39	0.9	1.5	3.8	2.2	1	30.2

Run Game Stats (2024)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
CMU Offense	12	57% (24)	42% (88)	37.3	168.9	4.5	17 (84)	.22 (24)	3.2 (41)	80% (23)	12% (108)	1.09 (27)
ILL Defense	13	48% (37)	50% (127)	-	-	-	-	.19 (108)	3.57 (132)	75% (75)	8% (120)	0.8 (5)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
CMU Defense	12	52% (80)	41% (48)	-	-	-	-	.15 (82)	3 (66)	82% (117)	13% (14)	1.18 (127)
ILL Offense	13	53% (50)	45% (51)	31.8	140	4.4	20 (67)	.13 (67)	3.14 (49)	81% (17)	11% (107)	0.91 (95)

Pass Game Stats (2024)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
CMU Offense	12	43% (110)	34% (124)	13.9	25.2	163.4	6.5	11.7	11 (122)	12 (85)	.04 (129)	1.5 (85)	34% (112)	22% (132)	.18 (116)	8% (119)	2 (86)
ILL Defense	13	52% (95)	43% (90)	-	-	-	-	-	-	12 (39)	.19 (44)	1.4 (17)	28% (117)	34% (111)	.37 (97)	6% (84)	1.9 (40)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
CMU Defense	12	48% (54)	39% (50)	-	-	-	-	-	-	2 (134)	.28 (93)	1.7 (102)	36% (18)	30% (60)	.37 (95)	5% (117)	2.2 (103)
ILL Offense	13	47% (83)	44% (44)	15.4	25.5	197.8	7.8	12.9	21 (51)	5 (6)	.38 (16)	1.8 (15)	31% (62)	31% (81)	.42 (31)	6% (82)	2.3 (5)

Central Michigan's Power Ratings
Central Michigan's Power Rating: -14.12 #111
Central Michigan's Offense Rating: 17.21 #92
Central Michigan's Defense Rating: 12.06 #88
2024 Talent Rating: 482.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #102
Central Michigan's 2024 Expected Record: 4.0 - 8.0
Central Michigan's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: -15.8 #120
Central Michigan's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.7 #122
Central Michigan's Defense SP+ Rating: 34.3 #115

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 482
Average Power Five Talent: 482
Average FBS Talent: 482

Power Ratings Matchup
Central Michigan: -14.12 Illinois: 10.69

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Central Michigan: -15.8 Illinois: 9.6

Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 10.69 #39
Illinois's Offense Rating: 22.25 #47
Illinois's Defense Rating: 9.87 #72
2024 Talent Rating: 482.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 7 #48
Illinois's 2024 Expected Record: 10.0 - 3.0
Illinois's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: 9.6 #31
Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 29.0 #55
Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.9 #26

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 482
Average Power Five Talent: 482
Average FBS Talent: 482

Central Michigan Scoring
Offense: 22.6 PPG
Offense on Road: 15.2
Defense: 29.7 PPG
Defense on Road: 35

Central Michigan's 2024 Record
Record: 4 - 8
Record vs Spread: 6 - 6 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 6
Record on Road: 0 - 5
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 5 - 3 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 2 - 3 - 0

Projected Score
Illinois 39
Central Michigan 13

Total Points: 52

Based on Last 4 Games
Illinois 34
Central Michigan 23

Total Points: 57

Based on Entire Season
Illinois 31
Central Michigan 19

Total Points: 50

Illinois Scoring
Offense: 28.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 32
Defense: 21.7 PPG
Defense at Home: 17.6

Illinois's 2024 Record
Record: 10 - 3
Record vs Spread: 9 - 4 - 0
Over/Under Record: 5 - 8
Record at home: 6 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 4 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 2 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 2 - 2 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2024	09/14	Illinois	30	Central Michigan	9	Illinois -21.5	Central Michigan	49.5	Under

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Illinois	1	0	0 Overs
Central Michigan	0	1	1 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	1 - 0	0 - 1	0 - 1	0 - 0
Road Teams	0 - 1	1 - 0	0 - 0	1 - 0

(#111) CMU at (#39) ILL

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	CMU	ILL
Power RatePwr	#111	#39
SP+SP+	#120	#31
Perf GradeGrade	#108	#38
OffenseOff	#129	#38
DefenseDef	#55	#50
Spec TeamsST	#45	#47
TalentTal	#1	#1
Blue ChipsBC%	#102	#48

Central Michigan Notes(12/10) Hired HC Drinkall (Army OL/TE, K Wes HC 14-18)
(11/20) McElwain retiring after final game vs N. Ill
(11/13) New QB Glasser bad vs Toledo, Rgame awful in L
(11/8) Off really bad, QB's unplayable, Rgame plodding
(10/27) 3 str L's, Def cooked, QBs are awful, Dogs last 4
(10/20) 45 runs/12 pass. Ran for 285, but Pass D torched
(10/15) Starting QB Labas out for season (arm)
(10/15) Backup QB Jefferson starting vs EMU
(10/13) QB's bad, Rgame OK, Run def mauled by Ohio
(10/4) Run Off/Def good, Pass Off/Def bad. OL & F7 good
(10/2) Rgame good/dominant vs poor D's. QB Labas JAG
(9/15) OL/DL played even w/ Ill. QB Labas really awful
Central Michigan Injury Report

Illinois Injury Report

Central Michigan on Offense

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 43%
CategoryCat	CMU Off	ILL Def
Perf GradePerf	#129	#50
SuccessSuc	#115	#115
ExplosiveExp	#82	#8
PPAPPA	#96	#76
PowerPwr	#92	#72
SP+SP+	#122	#26
Pts POPPO	#80	#37
HavocHav	#124	#117

Central Michigan Run Game

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 43%
CategoryCat	CMU Off	ILL Def
Run GameRun	#100	#102
Run SuccessRSuc	#88	#127
Run ExplRExp	#27	#5
PPAExp	#24	#108
Run BlockR Blk	#106	-
OL YdsOLY	#41	#132
Stuff RateStuff	#12	#134
TackleTak	-	#7

Central Michigan Pass Game

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 43%
CategoryCat	CMU Off	ILL Def
Pass GamePass	#129	#26
Pass SuccessPSuc	#124	#90
Pass ExplPExl	#85	#17
PPAExp	#129	#44
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	#129	#50
F7 HavocF7	#108	#120
DB HavocDB	#119	#84

Illinois on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat	ILL Off	CMU Def
Perf GradePerf	#38	#55
SuccessSuc	#45	#44
ExplosiveExp	#44	#121
PPAPPA	#31	#96
PowerPwr	#47	#88
SP+SP+	#55	#115
Pts POPPO	#39	#45
HavocHav	#103	#45

Illinois Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat	ILL Off	CMU Def
Run GameRun	#47	#40
Run SuccessRSuc	#51	#48
Run ExplRExp	#95	#127
PPAExp	#67	#82
Run BlockR Blk	#70	-
OL YdsOLY	#49	#66
Stuff RateStuff	#20	#72
TackleTak	-	#23

Illinois Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat	ILL Off	CMU Def
Pass GamePass	#40	#87
Pass SuccessPSuc	#44	#50
Pass ExplPExl	#15	#102
PPAExp	#16	#93
Pass Block/RushP Blk	#87	#28
F7 HavocF7	#107	#14
DB HavocDB	#82	#117

Program Comparison
ILL 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Up to Average P4

CMU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'25 Profile: Remains Below Avg G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions: Fair
Temp: 82° - Wind: 7 mph

Rematch from Week 3
Illinois -21.5 (49.5)
Illinois won vs Central Michigan this year (30-9)

Previous Matchups
Illinois beat Central Michigan last year (30-9)

CMU's OC Jim McElwain (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Joey Labas	94	160	59%	1114	7	7	7.0
Jadyn Glasser	41	76	54%	439	2	4	5.8

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Marion Lukes	161	788	5	4.9	66
BJ Harris	91	418	3	4.6	71
Myles Bailey	51	292	3	5.7	35
Tyler Jefferson	43	233	1	5.4	44

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Chris Parker	29	360	3	12.4	44
Solomon Davis (Tr)	19	350	2	18.4	72
Evan Boyd	21	302	2	14.4	47
Jesse Prewitt III	23	186	2	8.1	21

View Central Michigan's Full Roster

CMU's DC Robb Akey (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jordan Kwiatkowski	97	14	0	1	1
Caleb Spann	61	4	2	0	5
Justin Whiteside	58	6	3	4	1
Elijah Rikard	56	3	1	0	0

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jason Williams	42	9	6	1	0
Jonah Pace	34	11	4	6	2
Michael Heldman	29	6	4	8	0
Dakota Cochran	54	11	4	1	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PD
Daraun McKinney	53	2	1	9
Donte Kent	52	1	0	7
Caleb Spann	61	4	2	5

ILL's OC Barry Lunney Jr. (in his second season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Luke Altmyer	211	347	61%	2717	22	6	7.8
Donovan Leary	2	5	40%	29	0	0	5.8

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Joshua McCray	117	609	10	5.2	60
Aidan Laughery	97	589	4	6.1	64
Kaden Feagin	67	306	3	4.6	34
Luke Altmyer	99	217	4	2.2	37

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Patrick Bryant	53	978	10	18.5	64
Zakhari Franklin (Tr)	56	658	4	11.8	44
Hank Beatty	20	294	1	14.7	59
Collin Dixon	18	264	0	14.7	41

View Illinois's Full Roster

ILL's DC Aaron Henry (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Matthew Bailey	94	2	0	0	5
Gabe Jacas	71	13	8	9	0
Dylan Rosiek	61	3	2	0	1
James Kreutz	54	1	0	2	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Gabe Jacas	71	13	8	9	0
Dennis Briggs Jr. (Tr)	42	5	4	5	0
Te-Rah Edwards	38	5	3	7	0
Seth Coleman	53	7	3	5	3

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Xavier Scott	49	2	1	0	6
Matthew Bailey	94	2	0	0	5
Jaheim Clarke	34	1	0	1	5