Western Illinois at Illinois - 2025 Matchup Preview
Western Illinois logo Western Illinois Leathernecks at Illinois Fighting IlliniIllinois logo
Friday, August 29th 2025 (7:30 PM EDT)
Illinois -48.5 (62.5) (0)  Open: -45.5 | 63.5
Illinois 52 - Western Illinois: 3

 
Leathernecks (0 - 2) (0 - 2 - 0)
Coach ( - )
Avg Score : 5 - 47 (5 - 47 on Road)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Our Line: Illinois -15  (SP+ ILL -11)
ILL Win prob: 100% | Cover: 40%
Fighting Illini (9 - 4) (8 - 4 - 1)
Coach Bret Bielema (27 - 22)
Avg Score : 29 - 24 (31 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.3 - 4.7 (#51)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 5) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)
 
Western Illinois's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Western Illinois at Illinois+48.562.5L 3 - 52UN
Fri 9/5 Western Illinois at Northwestern+30.548.5L 7 - 42ON

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 Western Illinois's Schedule
Illinois's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Illinois vs Western Illinois-48.562.5W 52 - 3UY
Sat 9/6 Illinois at Duke-2.549.0W 45 - 19OY
Sat 9/13 Illinois vs Western Michigan-27.550.5W 38 - 0UY
Sat 9/20 Illinois at Indiana+7.051.5L 10 - 63ON
Sat 9/27 Illinois vs USC+6.562.5W 34 - 32OY
Sat 10/4 Illinois at Purdue-7.555.5W 43 - 27OY
Sat 10/11 Illinois vs Ohio State+15.551.5L 16 - 34UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/25 Illinois at Washington+3.554.5L 25 - 42ON
Sat 11/1 Illinois vs Rutgers-13.563.5W 35 - 13UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Illinois vs Maryland-15.551.5W 24 - 6UY
Sat 11/22 Illinois at Wisconsin-8.542.5L 10 - 27UN
Sat 11/29 Illinois vs Northwestern-7.044.5W 20 - 13UN
Tue 12/30 Illinois vs Tennessee+3.062.5W 30 - 28UY

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

Predictions for Illinois's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 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
WIU0%50%000%000%470%0%0000
ILL#41 (.21)47% (19)29.447% (35)2.97 (66)12149% (13)2214.3 (27)#97 (.2)45% (114)23.639% (39)50% (134)4.27 (122)37.90.81.2
 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
WIU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
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



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WIU Offense2550%00000000%0%0%0%0%
ILL Defense1323.614.445.1%4.271.2 - - - - - 43%55%39%50%15%.2
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WIU Defense247470%00 - - - - - 0%0%0%0%0%
ILL Offense1329.431.347.4%4.30.8193421212213.850%48%47%49%15%.21

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Western Illinois20:000NAN%0%0000000100
Illinois1328:0919.242%60%4.337.90.81.24.41.8130.6
Run Game Stats (2025)
 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
WIU Offense20%0%000000%0%0
ILL Defense1343% (7)39% (39) - - - - .05 (40)2.78 (50)73% (87)9% (89)0.91 (43)
 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
WIU Defense20%0% - - - - 00%0%0
ILL Offense1350% (61)47% (35)32.2121.23.820 (40).05 (101)2.97 (66)71% (75)10% (94)0.8 (129)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WIU Offense20%0%000000000%0%0%0
ILL Defense1355% (129)50% (134) - - - - - - 6 (123).33 (103)1.3 (5)28% (120)37% (132).39 (114)6% (49)2 (50)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WIU Defense20%0% - - - - - - 000%0%0%0
ILL Offense1348% (75)49% (13)17.826220.78.512.422 (33)6 (7).44 (15)1.6 (44)29% (35)37% (15).38 (40)5% (33)1.9 (102)

Western Illinois's Power Ratings
Western Illinois's Power Rating: NR
Western Illinois's Offense Rating: NR
Western Illinois's Defense Rating: NR
2025 Talent Rating: NR
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Western Illinois's 2025 Expected Record: -
Western Illinois's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: NR
Western Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: NR
Western Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: NR

Average Talent
Average MVFC Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Illinois:    Illinois: 14.865

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Illinois:    Illinois: 10.9




Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 14.865  #34
Illinois's Offense Rating: 21.04  #17
Illinois's Defense Rating: 7.21  #64
2025 Talent Rating: 864.00  #37
Blue Chip Ratio: 10  #39
Illinois's 2025 Expected Record: 8.3 - 4.7
Illinois's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 10.9  #31
Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.0  #35
Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 22.4  #41

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Western Illinois Scoring
Offense: 5 PPG
Offense on Road: 5
Defense: 47 PPG
Defense on Road: 47

Western Illinois's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 2
Record vs Spread: 0 - 2 - 0
Over/Under Record: 1 - 1
Record on Road: 0 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 2 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 0 - 2 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 0 - 2 - 0
Projected Score
Illinois 38
Western Illinois 23

Total Points: 60

Based on Last 4 Games
Illinois 46
Western Illinois 18

Total Points: 64

Based on Entire Season
Illinois 39
Western Illinois 12

Total Points: 51
Illinois Scoring
Offense: 29.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 31.3
Defense: 23.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 14.4

Illinois's 2025 Record
Record: 9 - 4
Record vs Spread: 8 - 4 - 1
Over/Under Record: 5 - 8
Record at home: 6 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 5 - 1 - 1
Record as Fav vs Spread: 6 - 1 - 1
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 4 - 0 - 1


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202508/29Illinois52Western Illinois3Illinois -48.5Illinois62.5Under
201809/08Illinois34Western Illinois14
201509/12Illinois44Western Illinois0Illinois -25Illinois0
200709/08Illinois21Western Illinois0
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Illinois420 Overs
Western Illinois001 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams4 - 02 - 02 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 40 - 20 - 00 - 2

(#NR) WIU at (#34) ILL
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWIUILL
Power RatePwrNR #34
SP+SP+NR #31
Perf GradeGradeNR #27
OffenseOffNR #18
DefenseDefNR #63
Spec TeamsSTNR #69
TalentTalNR #37
Blue ChipsBC%NR #39
Illinois Notes
(11/22) Finishes 2-3 on road after awful L @ Wisconsin
(10/10) 1st in P4 at +42 Pts off TOs w/ a TO margin +7
(9/20) Destroyed by IU, outrushed 267 to 2! Off awful
(8/15) OL banged up in fall camp, not major
(6/6) QB Altmyer 3rd yr w/ OC Lunney. Big goals TY
(6/6) RBs Laughery good, Feegan back from inj (hip)
(6/6) WRs lost top 2, Clement (WVU) + Bowick (BSU)
(6/6) OL has 4/5 back, 3 portals, should improve TY
(6/6) Def looks really deep, could be better unit
(6/6) Secondary one of best in B1G, Pass rush ?
(6/6) Def good LY, returns a lot. 7 portal DL added
(5/23) Illini were 5-1 in 1 score games LY
Illinois Injury Report
Western Illinois on Offense
CategoryCat
WIU OffILL Def
Perf GradePerfNR #63
SuccessSucNR #114
ExplosiveExpNR #34
PPAPPANR #97
PowerPwrNR #64
SP+SP+NR #41
Pts POPPONR #122
HavocHavNR #73
Western Illinois Run Game
CategoryCat
WIU OffILL Def
Run GameRunNR #45
Run SuccessRSucNR #39
Run ExplRExpNR #43
PPAExpNR #40
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLYNR #50
Stuff RateStuffNR #54
TackleTak -  #33
Western Illinois Pass Game
CategoryCat
WIU OffILL Def
Pass GamePassNR #99
Pass SuccessPSucNR #134
Pass ExplPExlNR #5
PPAExpNR #103
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNR #42
F7 HavocF7NR #89
DB HavocDBNR #49
Illinois on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatILL OffWIU Def
Perf GradePerf #18NR
SuccessSuc #19NR
ExplosiveExp #106NR
PPAPPA #41NR
PowerPwr #17NR
SP+SP+ #35NR
Pts POPPO #27NR
HavocHav #65NR
Illinois Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffWIU Def
Run GameRun #69NR
Run SuccessRSuc #35NR
Run ExplRExp #129NR
PPAExp #101NR
Run BlockR Blk #12 -
OL YdsOLY #66NR
Stuff RateStuff #87NR
TackleTak - NR
Illinois Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatILL OffWIU Def
Pass GamePass #37NR
Pass SuccessPSuc #13NR
Pass ExplPExl #44NR
PPAExp #15NR
Pass Block/RushP Blk #79NR
F7 HavocF7 #94NR
DB HavocDB #33NR
Program Comparison
ILL 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Up to Average P4

WIU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'25 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 70° - Wind: 10 mph
Rematch from Week 1
Illinois -48.5 (62.5)
Illinois won vs Western Illinois this year (52-3)

No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
WIU's OC ()
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Cason Carswell18730761%20541636.7
Chris Irvin5912149%659535.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Markell Holman22799974.432
Brinston Williams2613715.321
Tanner Zolnosky65008.324
Christian Anaya74806.913
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Demari Davis37695518.860
Christian Anaya44458410.447
Tristin Duncan40458011.542
Markell Holman3931428.127

View Western Illinois's Full Roster

WIU's DC ()
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Christian Pierce161000
Buju Aumua-Tuisavura160000
Malini Ti'a160000
Esteban Guillory150001
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
David Dunston31100
Jalen Nicolas11100
Peyton Bradford51100
Payne Miller52100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chikala Warden50001
Esteban Guillory150001
Jaylen Olokun40001

ILL's OC Barry Lunney Jr. (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Luke Altmyer22633268%28112158.5
Ethan Hampton (Tr)3475%27016.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ca'Lil Valentine12354944.525
Kaden Feagin11949974.226
Aidan Laughery6230534.957
Luke Altmyer9018842.136
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Hank Beatty64826312.962
Collin Dixon33538516.361
Hudson Clement (Tr)33406312.327
Justin Bowick (Tr)19234412.325

View Illinois's Full Roster

ILL's DC Aaron Henry (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Matthew Bailey764012
Miles Scott594104
Dylan Rosiek494013
Torrie Cox Jr.461003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Gabe Jacas44141161
Tomiwa Durojaiye (Tr)165231
Leon Lowery183230
James Thompson Jr. (Tr)333221
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaheim Clarke291007
Miles Scott594104
James Kreutz273003