Illinois at Northwestern - 2024 Matchup Preview
Illinois logo (#9)Illinois Fighting Illini vs Northwestern WildcatsNorthwestern logo
Saturday, November 30th 2024 (12:00 PM EST)
Illinois -8.5 (42.5) (-340)  Open: -7.5 | 44.5
Illinois 38 - Northwestern: 28  (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: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 5)
Losses: (Elite: 2) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
ILL 2nd straight Road Game
Our Line: Illinois -17.5   (SP+ ILL -18)

Projected Score: ILL: 31 - NW: 14 (45)
ILL Win prob: 71% | Cover: 46%
ILL Travel: 139 miles
Wildcats (4 - 8) (4 - 8 - 0)
Coach David Braun (8 - 5)
Avg Score : 18 - 26 (18 - 26 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 4 - 8 (#101)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 4)
Losses: (Elite: 2) (Good: 1) (Avg: 5) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (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: 2, Good: 2, Avg 3, Bad 1, Poor 4
Played: Elite: 2, Good: 2, Avg 3, Bad 1, Poor 4
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 3, Bad: 1, Poor: 4
Losses: Elite: 2, Good: 1, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Illinois's Schedule
Northwestern's 2024 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/31 Northwestern vs Miami (OH)-4.043.0W 13 - 6UY
Fri 9/6 Northwestern vs Duke-2.537.5L 20 - 26ON
Sat 9/14 Northwestern vs Eastern Illinois-26.538.5W 31 - 7UN
Sat 9/21 Northwestern at Washington+11.542.5L 5 - 24UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/5 Northwestern vs Indiana+12.540.5L 24 - 41ON
Fri 10/11 Northwestern at Maryland+11.045.0W 37 - 10OY
Sat 10/19 Northwestern vs Wisconsin+9.542.5L 3 - 23UN
Sat 10/26 Northwestern at Iowa+16.538.5L 14 - 40ON
Sat 11/2 Northwestern at Purdue+3.044.5W 26 - 20OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/16 Northwestern vs Ohio State+28.043.5L 7 - 31UY
Sat 11/23 Northwestern at Michigan+10.535.5L 6 - 50ON
Sat 11/30 Northwestern vs Illinois+8.542.5L 28 - 38ON

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 1, Avg 5, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 2, Good: 1, Avg 5, Bad 2, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 2, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 2, Good: 1, Avg: 5, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Northwestern'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
NW#129 (.02)37% (123)17.839% (113)2.63 (124)9936% (116)1863.02 (127)#57 (.15)45% (106)26.344% (80)46% (117)3.74 (64)38.81.51.3
 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
NW#129 (.02)37% (123)39% (113)2.63 (124)9936% (116)1863.02 (127)#57 (.15)45% (106)44% (80)46% (117)3.74 (64)38.81.51.3



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
NW Defense1226.326.345%3.741.3 - - - - - 47%53%44%46%15%.15
 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
NW Offense1217.817.837.1%3.021.516285991863.445%54%39%36%19%.02

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
Northwestern1229:491633%50%4.838.81.51.34.81.9328
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)
NW Defense1247% (26)44% (80) - - - - .07 (42)2.99 (63)69% (47)8% (107)0.86 (15)
 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)
NW Offense1245% (106)39% (113)29.398.63.412 (114).07 (102)2.63 (124)66% (112)11% (98)1.1 (20)

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)
NW Defense1253% (110)46% (117) - - - - - - 10 (66).25 (77)1.4 (13)27% (128)35% (116).28 (55)7% (33)1.8 (24)
 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)
NW Offense1254% (31)36% (116)17.632.7186.15.710.67 (130)11 (72).02 (132)1.3 (134)35% (119)31% (79).2 (109)8% (121)1.8 (119)

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: 96.00 #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 96
Average Power Five Talent: 96
Average FBS Talent: 96

Power Ratings Matchup
Illinois: 6.78   Northwestern: -9.06

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Illinois: 9.6   Northwestern: -8.2




Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: -9.06 #100
Northwestern's Offense Rating: 11.18 #125
Northwestern's Defense Rating: 11.29 #83
2024 Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 2 #82
Northwestern's 2024 Expected Record: 4.0 - 8.0
Northwestern's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: -8.2 #101
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.5 #124
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 24.3 #51

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 96
Average Power Five Talent: 96
Average FBS Talent: 96


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
Record on Road: 3 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 1 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 2 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Illinois 31
Northwestern 14


Total Points: 45

Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 17.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 17.8
Defense: 26.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 26.3

Northwestern's 2024 Record
Record: 4 - 8
Record vs Spread: 4 - 8 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 3 - 6 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202411/30Northwestern28Illinois38IllinoisIllinois -8.5Illinois42.5Over
202311/25Illinois43Northwestern45NorthwesternIllinois -5Northwestern46.5Over
202211/26Northwestern3Illinois41IllinoisIllinois -15.0Illinois38.0Over
202111/27Illinois47Northwestern14IllinoisIllinois -7Illinois45.0Over
202012/12Northwestern28Illinois10NorthwesternNorthwestern -13Northwestern41.0Under
201911/30Illinois10Northwestern29NorthwesternIllinois -6.5Northwestern38.0Over
201811/24Northwestern24Illinois16NorthwesternNorthwestern -14.5Illinois56.0Under
201711/25Illinois7Northwestern42NorthwesternNorthwestern -16.5Northwestern46.0Over
201611/26Northwestern42Illinois21NorthwesternNorthwestern -15Northwestern48.5Over
201511/28Illinois14Northwestern24NorthwesternNorthwestern -3.5Northwestern42.0Under
201411/29Northwestern33Illinois47IllinoisNorthwestern -9Illinois0
201311/30Illinois34Northwestern37NorthwesternNorthwestern -4Illinois0
201211/24Northwestern50Illinois14Northwestern
201110/01Illinois38Northwestern35Illinois
201011/20Northwestern27Illinois48Illinois
200911/14Illinois16Northwestern21Northwestern
200811/22Northwestern27Illinois10Northwestern
200711/17Illinois41Northwestern22Illinois
200611/18Northwestern27Illinois16Northwestern
200511/19Illinois21Northwestern38Northwestern
200411/20Northwestern28Illinois21Northwestern
200311/22Illinois20Northwestern37Northwestern
200111/22Illinois34Northwestern28Illinois
200011/17Northwestern61Illinois23Northwestern
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Northwestern1667 Overs
Illinois863 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams12 - 124 - 83 - 41 - 4
Road Teams12 - 128 - 44 - 14 - 3

(#39) Illinois Info
Power Rating: 6.78 #39
Offense Rating: 22.25 #47
Defense Rating: 9.87 #72
Overall SP+ Rating: 9.6 #31
Offense SP+ Rating: 29.0 #55
Defense SP+ Rating: 20.9 #26
Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 7% #48
Expected Record: 10.0 - 3.0

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
Avg Offense Success Rate of 45%
Good Offensive Explosiveness
Good in Scoring Position 4.23 PPO
Avg Run Success 45%
Good Pass Success 44%
Bad OL Grades, Avg OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Awful Sacks/Turnovers
Awful Defense Success Rate of 46%
Good in Scoring Position 3.48 PPO
Awful Run Def Success 50%
Poor Pass Def Success 43%
Awful Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position

Illinois has won 2 straight
Illinois has won 1 straight on the Road
Record on Road: 3 - 2 (3 - 1 - 0 vs Spread )

Illinois Highlights
Illinois does Not Get Runs Stuffed (#80)

Illinois defense does not give up big plays (#53)
Illinois has a great TO Margin (#1)

Illinois Deficiencies
Illinois has a bad defense (#56)
Illinois Does Not Stuff Runs (#6)
Illinois has a bad defensive line (#49)

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatNWILL
OverallOver#79#29
OffenseOff#107#34
DefenseDef#35#37
Special TeamsST#100#41
PassingPass#105#33
RushingRush#97#32
Run BlockRBLK#65#54
Pass BlockPBLK#55#74
Route RunningWR Rt#104#11
TacklingTkl#88#6
Run DefenseR Def#60#79
Pass Rush DefPRush#36#45
Coverage DefCov#40#18

Rematch from Week 14
Illinois 8.5 (42.5)
Illinois won at Northwestern this year (38-28)

Previous Matchups
Illinois beat Northwestern last year (38-28)
Northwestern beat Illinois in 2023 (45-43)
Illinois beat Northwestern in 2022 (41-3)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Wrigley Field
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: ILL | NW
Depth Chart: ILL | NW
Rosters: ILL | NW
(#100) Northwestern Info
Power Rating: -9.06 #100
Offense Rating: 11.18 #125
Defense Rating: 11.29 #83
Overall SP+ Rating: -8.2 #101
Offense SP+ Rating: 17.5 #124
Defense SP+ Rating: 24.3 #51
Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 2 #82
Expected Record: 4.0 - 8.0

Team Profile
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 37%
Awful Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 3.02 PPO
Awful Run Success 39%
Awful Pass Success 36%
Avg OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Poor Sacks/Turnovers
Poor Defense Success Rate of 45%
Avg in Scoring Position 3.74 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 44%
Awful Pass Def Success 46%
Bad Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Good Field Position

Northwestern has lost 2 straight
Northwestern has lost 3 straight at Home
Record at home: 0 - 0 (0 - 0 - 0 vs Spread)

Northwestern Notes
(12/21) Signed QB P Stone (SMU)
(11/18) QB Lausch tough vs OSU, Rgame abysmal, Def OK
(10/19) Off awful vs Wisc, 200 yds, 9 1st D, 2-14 3rd
(10/12) Killed MD. Tough, hard nosed. 4 TO's but Off bad
(10/11) OL bad in Run game, top 20 in Pass protection
(10/10) QB Lausch a big upgrade, genuine JAG QB
(9/10) QB: Jack Lausch replacing ineffective Mike Wright
(9/1) Rock fight 13-6 W over Mia Oh, QB Wright JAG
(8/28) QB battle (3 way), WR decent with exp.
(8/28) QB Wright (Miss St) seems to have won this job

Northwestern Highlights
Northwestern defense does not give up big plays (#66)
Northwestern commits very few Penalties (#38)

Northwestern Deficiencies
Northwestern has a really bad Offense
Northwestern Can Not Run the Ball (#51)
Northwestern offense is really bad (#69)
Northwestern offense is not Explosive (#115)
Northwestern Runs Get Stuffed a Lot (#61)
Northwestern offense is bad in Scoring Opportunities (#135)
Northwestern run game is really bad (#53)
Northwestern pass game is really bad (#70)
Northwestern offense is bad on 3rd Downs
Northwestern has a bad defense (#55)


  
Illinois's OC Barry Lunney Jr.
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
Illinois's DC Aaron Henry
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

Northwestern's OC Zach Lujan
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jack Lausch15929654%1714785.8
Mike Wright (Tr)396758%356015.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Cam Porter12650164.044
Joseph Himon II5225724.951
Jack Lausch8721322.429
Caleb Komolafe5013902.817
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
A.J. Henning59603410.246
Bryce Kirtz39598015.355
Thomas Gordon2725219.326
Cam Porter2317407.628

View Northwestern's Full Roster
Northwestern's DC Tim McGarigle
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mac Uihlein844201
Xander Mueller575114
Theran Johnson5340010
Devin Turner512003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Aidan Hubbard337671
Anto Saka155440
Michael Kilbane203300
Mac Uihlein844201
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Theran Johnson5340010
Josh Fussell391005
Xander Mueller575114