Illinois at Penn State - 2024 Matchup Preview
Illinois logo (#23)Illinois Fighting Illini at Penn State Nittany Lions(#3)Penn State logo
Saturday, September 28th 2024 (7:30 PM EDT)
Penn State -19.5 (48.0) (-1100)  Open: -18.0
Penn State 21 - Illinois: 7  (Big Ten)

 
Fighting Illini (10 - 3) (9 - 4 - 0)
Coach Bret Bielema (18 - 19)
Avg Score : 28 - 22 (21 - 29 on Road)
Record Prediction: 10 - 3 (#17)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
ILL 2nd straight Road Game
PSU 3rd straight Home Game
ILL is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Penn State -18.5  (SP+ PSU -15)
Projected Score: ILL: 15 - PSU: 34 (49)
PSU Win prob: 88% | Cover: 46%
ILL Travel: 548 miles, 1 hrs behind
Nittany Lions (13 - 3) (8 - 8 - 0)
Coach James Franklin (88 - 39)
Avg Score : 33 - 17 (34 - 11 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 13 - 3 (#3)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Illinois's 2024 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/29 Illinois vs Eastern Illinois-28.550.5W 45 - 0UY
Sat 9/7 Illinois vs Kansas+4.558.5W 23 - 17UY
Sat 9/14 Illinois vs Central Michigan-21.549.5W 30 - 9UN
Fri 9/20 Illinois at Nebraska+9.541.5W 31 - 24OY
Sat 9/28 Illinois at Penn State+19.548.0L 7 - 21UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/12 Illinois vs Purdue-22.547.5W 50 - 49ON
Sat 10/19 Illinois vs Michigan+6.044.0W 21 - 7UY
Sat 10/26 Illinois at Oregon+22.554.0L 9 - 38UN
Sat 11/2 Illinois vs Minnesota+2.547.0L 17 - 25UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/16 Illinois vs Michigan State-2.047.5W 38 - 16OY
Sat 11/23 Illinois at Rutgers+2.048.0W 38 - 31OY
Sat 11/30 Illinois vs Northwestern-8.542.5W 38 - 28OY
Tue 12/31 Illinois vs South Carolina+9.550.0W 21 - 17UY

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 Illinois's Schedule
Penn State's 2024 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/31 Penn State at West Virginia-7.548.0W 34 - 12UY
Sat 9/7 Penn State vs Bowling Green-35.551.5W 34 - 27ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/21 Penn State vs Kent State-49.058.0W 56 - 0UY
Sat 9/28 Penn State vs Illinois-19.548.0W 21 - 7UN
Sat 10/5 Penn State vs UCLA-30.048.0W 27 - 11UN
Sat 10/12 Penn State at USC-3.551.5W 33 - 30ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/26 Penn State at Wisconsin-6.547.0W 28 - 13UY
Sat 11/2 Penn State vs Ohio State+3.047.5L 13 - 20UN
Sat 11/9 Penn State vs Washington-13.548.0W 35 - 6UY
Sat 11/16 Penn State at Purdue-30.051.5W 49 - 10OY
Sat 11/23 Penn State at Minnesota-11.045.0W 26 - 25ON
Sat 11/30 Penn State vs Maryland-26.550.5W 44 - 7OY
Sat 12/7 Penn State vs Oregon+3.551.5L 37 - 45ON
Sat 12/21 Penn State vs SMU-9.052.5W 38 - 10UY
Tue 12/31 Penn State vs Boise State-11.554.5W 31 - 14UY
Thu 1/9 Penn State vs Notre Dame-1.545.5L 24 - 27ON

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 Penn State's Schedule
Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
ILL#31 (.25)45% (45)28.345% (51)3.14 (49)14044% (44)1984.23 (39)#76 (.18)46% (115)21.750% (127)43% (90)3.48 (37)390.91.5
PSU#11 (.32)51% (4)33.152% (9)3.42 (10)17651% (4)2094.69 (9)#9 (.05)38% (21)16.539% (27)37% (25)3.22 (18)41.40.81.3
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
ILL#31 (.25)45% (45)45% (51)3.14 (49)14044% (44)1984.23 (39)#76 (.18)46% (115)50% (127)43% (90)3.48 (37)390.91.5
PSU#11 (.32)51% (4)52% (9)3.42 (10)17651% (4)2094.69 (9)#9 (.05)38% (21)39% (27)37% (25)3.22 (18)41.40.81.3



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ILL Offense1328.321.344.6%4.230.9193381401984.453%47%45%44%18%.25
PSU Defense1616.51137.9%3.221.3 - - - - - 48%52%39%37%18%.05
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ILL Defense1321.728.546.3%3.481.5 - - - - - 48%52%50%43%13%.18
PSU Offense1633.133.551.3%4.690.8203851762095.354%46%52%51%10%.32

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Illinois1326:5218.744%50%5.1390.91.53.82.2130.2
Penn State1626:5120.448%70%4.441.40.81.35.52.3428.9
Run Game Stats (2024)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
ILL Offense1353% (50)45% (51)31.81404.420 (67).13 (67)3.14 (49)81% (17)11% (107)0.91 (95)
PSU Defense1648% (43)39% (27) - - - - -.01 (12)2.37 (3)75% (75)12% (26)0.92 (42)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
ILL Defense1348% (37)50% (127) - - - - .19 (108)3.57 (132)75% (75)8% (120)0.8 (5)
PSU Offense1654% (38)52% (9)33.2176.25.331 (17).24 (20)3.42 (10)76% (51)7% (8)0.92 (90)

Pass Game Stats (2024)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ILL Offense1347% (83)44% (44)15.425.5197.87.812.921 (51)5 (6).38 (16)1.8 (15)31% (62)31% (81).42 (31)6% (82)2.3 (5)
PSU Defense1652% (96)37% (25) - - - - - - 15 (18).1 (16)1.7 (91)36% (14)27% (25).2 (29)6% (57)2.1 (95)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ILL Defense1352% (95)43% (90) - - - - - - 12 (39).19 (44)1.4 (17)28% (117)34% (111).37 (97)6% (84)1.9 (40)
PSU Offense1646% (95)51% (4)16.724.3208.88.612.527 (20)9 (48).41 (11)1.5 (107)26% (3)35% (31).46 (20)3% (5)2 (85)

Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 6.78  #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

Power Ratings Matchup
Illinois: 6.78   Penn State: 26.93

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Illinois: 9.6   Penn State: 24.6




Penn State's Power Ratings
Penn State's Power Rating: 26.93  #6
Penn State's Offense Rating: 29.70  #2
Penn State's Defense Rating: 1.50  #7
2024 Talent Rating: 482.00  #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 42  #15
Penn State's 2024 Expected Record: 13.0 - 3.0
Penn State's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: 24.6  #5
Penn State's Offense SP+ Rating: 37.5  #9
Penn State's Defense SP+ Rating: 13.1  #4

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


Illinois Scoring
Offense: 28.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 21.3
Defense: 21.7 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.5

Illinois's 2024 Record
Record: 10 - 3
Record vs Spread: 9 - 4 - 0
Over/Under Record: 5 - 8
Record on Road: 3 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 1 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 7 - 2 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 3 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Penn State 34
Illinois 15

Total Points: 49

Based on Last 4 Games
Penn State 31
Illinois 22

Total Points: 52

Based on Entire Season
Penn State 29
Illinois 19

Total Points: 48
Penn State Scoring
Offense: 33.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 33.5
Defense: 16.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 11

Penn State's 2024 Record
Record: 13 - 3
Record vs Spread: 8 - 8 - 0
Over/Under Record: 7 - 9
Record at home: 7 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 4 - 4 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 7 - 6 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 4 - 3 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202409/28Penn State21Illinois7Penn State -19.5Illinois48.0Under
202309/16Illinois13Penn State30Penn State -14Penn State47.5Under
202110/23Penn State18Illinois20Penn State -24.5Illinois46.0Under
202012/19Penn State56Illinois21Penn State -16Penn State53.5Over
201809/21Illinois24Penn State63Penn State -26.5Penn State61.0Over
201510/31Penn State39Illinois0Penn State -4Penn State44.5Under
201411/22Illinois16Penn State14Penn State -4.5Illinois0
201311/02Penn State24Illinois17Penn State -10Illinois0
201209/29Illinois7Penn State35
201110/29Penn State10Illinois7
201010/09Penn State13Illinois33
200910/03Illinois17Penn State35
200809/27Penn State38Illinois24
200709/29Illinois27Penn State20
200610/21Penn State26Illinois12
200510/22Illinois10Penn State63
200211/02Penn State18Illinois7
200111/10Illinois33Penn State28
200010/20Penn State39Illinois25
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Penn State1442 Overs
Illinois544 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams12 - 73 - 52 - 31 - 2
Road Teams7 - 125 - 32 - 13 - 2

(#39) ILL at (#6) PSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatILLPSU
Power RatePwr #39 #6
SP+SP+ #31 #5
Perf GradeGrade #38 #12
OffenseOff #38 #15
DefenseDef #50 #16
Spec TeamsST #47 #62
TalentTal #1 #1
Blue ChipsBC% #48 #15
Illinois on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
ILL OffPSU Def
Perf GradePerf #38 #16
SuccessSuc #45 #21
ExplosiveExp #44 #81
PPAPPA #31 #9
PowerPwr #47 #7
SP+SP+ #55 #4
Pts POPPO #39 #18
HavocHav #103 #38
Illinois Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
ILL OffPSU Def
Run GameRun #47 #27
Run SuccessRSuc #51 #27
Run ExplRExp #95 #42
PPAExp #67 #12
Run BlockR Blk #70 -
OL YdsOLY #49 #3
Stuff RateStuff #20 #1
TackleTak -  #81
Illinois Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
ILL OffPSU Def
Pass GamePass #40 #21
Pass SuccessPSuc #44 #25
Pass ExplPExl #15 #91
PPAExp #16 #16
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #87 #10
F7 HavocF7 #107 #26
DB HavocDB #82 #57
Penn State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 54%
CategoryCatPSU OffILL Def
Perf GradePerf #15 #50
SuccessSuc #4 #115
ExplosiveExp #116 #8
PPAPPA #11 #76
PowerPwr #2 #72
SP+SP+ #9 #26
Pts POPPO #9 #37
HavocHav #3 #117
Penn State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 54%
CategoryCat
PSU OffILL Def
Run GameRun #21 #102
Run SuccessRSuc #9 #127
Run ExplRExp #90 #5
PPAExp #20 #108
Run BlockR Blk #57 -
OL YdsOLY #10 #132
Stuff RateStuff #24 #134
TackleTak -  #7
Penn State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 54%
CategoryCatPSU OffILL Def
Pass GamePass #6 #26
Pass SuccessPSuc #4 #90
Pass ExplPExl #107 #17
PPAExp #11 #44
Pass Block/RushP Blk #89 #50
F7 HavocF7 #8 #120
DB HavocDB #5 #84
Program Comparison
PSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Title Contenders
'25 Profile: Up to CFB Elites

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Beaver Stadium
Conditions: Fog
Temp: 67° - Wind: 6 mph
Rematch from Week 5
Penn State -19.5 (48.0)
Penn State won vs Illinois this year (21-7)

Previous Matchups
Penn State beat Illinois last year (21-7)
Penn State beat Illinois in 2023 (30-13)

  
ILL's OC Barry Lunney Jr. (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Luke Altmyer21134761%27172267.8
Donovan Leary2540%29005.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Joshua McCray117609105.260
Aidan Laughery9758946.164
Kaden Feagin6730634.634
Luke Altmyer9921742.237
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Patrick Bryant539781018.564
Zakhari Franklin (Tr)56658411.844
Hank Beatty20294114.759
Collin Dixon18264014.741

View Illinois's Full Roster

ILL's DC Aaron Henry (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Matthew Bailey942005
Gabe Jacas7113890
Dylan Rosiek613201
James Kreutz541021
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Gabe Jacas7113890
Dennis Briggs Jr. (Tr)425450
Te-Rah Edwards385370
Seth Coleman537353
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Xavier Scott492106
Matthew Bailey942005
Jaheim Clarke341015

PSU's OC Andy Kotelnicki (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Drew Allar26239467%33272488.4
Beau Pribula263574%275517.9
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Kaytron Allen220110885.032
Nicholas Singleton1721099126.458
Drew Allar9630263.122
Beau Pribula3824246.449
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Tyler Warren1041233811.938
Harrison Wallace III47732415.650
Omari Evans20403520.259
Nicholas Singleton4137559.127

View Penn State's Full Roster

PSU's DC Tom Allen (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaylen Reed957312
Kobe King878311
Zakee Wheatley863104
Abdul Carter62241294
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Abdul Carter62241294
Dani Dennis-Sutton4013993
Amin Vanover215431
Jaylen Reed957312
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Elliot Washington II251006
Cam Miller233025
A.J. Harris (Tr)413005