Western Michigan at Illinois - 2025 Matchup Preview
Western Michigan logo Western Michigan Broncos at Illinois Fighting Illini(#9)Illinois logo
Saturday, September 13th 2025 (7:00 PM EDT)
Illinois -27.5 (50.5) (-5000)  Open: 0.0
Illinois 38 - Western Michigan: 0

 
Broncos (10 - 4) (10 - 3 - 1)
Coach Lance Taylor (10 - 14)
Avg Score : 25 - 17 (18 - 22 on Road)
Record Prediction: 9.5 - 4.5 (#25)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 1)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 8)
Our Line: Illinois -19.5  (SP+ ILL -14)
Projected Score: WMU: 15 - ILL: 34 (49)
ILL Win prob: 97% | Cover: 53%
WMU Travel: 204 miles, 1 hrs ahead
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: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 2) (Good: 3) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)
 
Western Michigan's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Western Michigan at Michigan State+18.549.5L 6 - 23UY
Sat 9/6 Western Michigan vs North Texas+12.056.0L 30 - 33OY
Sat 9/13 Western Michigan at Illinois+27.550.5L 0 - 38UN
Sat 9/20 Western Michigan vs Toledo+13.548.5W 14 - 13UY
Sat 9/27 Western Michigan vs Rhode Island-7.545.5W 47 - 14OY
Sat 10/4 Western Michigan at Massachusetts-12.546.5W 21 - 3UY
Sat 10/11 Western Michigan vs Ball State-9.543.5W 42 - 0UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/25 Western Michigan at Miami (OH)+2.540.5L 17 - 26ON
Sat 11/1 Western Michigan vs Central Michigan-6.043.5W 24 - 21ON
BYE WEEK
Tue 11/11 Western Michigan vs Ohio-1.546.5W 17 - 13UY
Tue 11/18 Western Michigan at Northern Illinois-7.039.5W 35 - 19OY
Tue 11/25 Western Michigan at Eastern Michigan-10.049.0W 31 - 21ON
Sat 12/6 Western Michigan vs Miami (OH)-2.544.5W 23 - 13UY
Fri 12/19 Western Michigan vs Kennesaw State-3.047.0W 41 - 6UY

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 6
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 1, Poor: 0

Predictions for Western Michigan'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: 2, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 1, 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
WMU#102 (.12)43% (56)24.947% (32)3.18 (28)20537% (116)1393.35 (103)#16 (.06)37% (18)17.438% (24)37% (23)2.83 (13)40.11.11.7
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
WMU#43 (.24)45% (33)45% (59)3.05 (62)18446% (27)1874.11 (49)#122 (.29)49% (128)48% (115)51% (132)4.38 (119)39.211.6
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
WMU Offense1424.918.343.4%3.351.1193432051394.665%33%47%37%12%.12
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
WMU Defense1417.421.736.9%2.831.7 - - - - - 49%49%38%37%17%.06
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 Michigan1432:3418.940%44%4.640.11.11.75.93.1232
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
WMU Offense1465% (5)47% (32)44.2204.54.631 (49).14 (56)3.18 (28)76% (38)9% (60)0.9 (95)
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
WMU Defense1449% (54)38% (24) - - - - .06 (47)2.75 (47)73% (84)11% (19)1.02 (97)
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
WMU Offense1433% (132)37% (116)13.221.8138.56.410.510 (114)6 (34).1 (125)1.4 (119)30% (45)24% (128).15 (120)3% (7)1.9 (101)
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
WMU Defense1449% (77)37% (23) - - - - - - 12 (55).1 (13)1.5 (29)34% (24)28% (53).12 (11)6% (68)1.7 (6)
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 Michigan's Power Ratings
Western Michigan's Power Rating: -6.94  #94
Western Michigan's Offense Rating: 0.53  #124
Western Michigan's Defense Rating: 7.47  #65
2025 Talent Rating: 558.00  #106
Blue Chip Ratio: 1%  #88
Western Michigan's 2025 Expected Record: 9.5 - 4.5
Western Michigan's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -2.7  #81
Western Michigan's Offense SP+ Rating: 21.4  #110
Western Michigan's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.6  #46

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 567.54
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Michigan: -6.94   Illinois: 14.865

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Michigan: -2.7   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 Michigan Scoring
Offense: 24.9 PPG
Offense on Road: 18.3
Defense: 17.4 PPG
Defense on Road: 21.7

Western Michigan's 2025 Record
Record: 10 - 4
Record vs Spread: 10 - 3 - 1
Over/Under Record: 6 - 8
Record on Road: 3 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 2 - 1
Record as Dog vs Spread: 3 - 2 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0
Projected Score
Illinois 34
Western Michigan 15


Total Points: 49

Based on Last 4 Games
Illinois 34
Western Michigan 14

Total Points: 48

Based on Entire Season
Illinois 25
Western Michigan 20

Total Points: 45
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
202509/13Illinois38Western Michigan0Illinois -27.5Illinois50.5Under
201609/17Illinois10Western Michigan34Western Michigan -1.5Western Michigan56.0Under
201209/01Illinois24Western Michigan7
201109/24Illinois23Western Michigan20
200811/08Western Michigan23Illinois17
200409/18Illinois30Western Michigan27
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Illinois410 Overs
Western Michigan212 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams5 - 11 - 11 - 00 - 1
Road Teams1 - 51 - 11 - 00 - 1

(#94) WMU at (#34) ILL
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWMUILL
Power RatePwr #94 #34
SP+SP+ #81 #31
Perf GradeGrade #67 #27
OffenseOff #71 #18
DefenseDef #63 #63
Spec TeamsST #47 #69
TalentTal #106 #37
Blue ChipsBC% #88 #39
Western Michigan Notes
(11/29) Beat EMU, will play Miami OH in MAC Championship
(11/20) Control MAC w/ W over N Ill. 361 rush, 32 pass!
(11/13) Great W over Ohio, leaders of the MAC now
(11/13) Def shut down Navarro, Run Off 210+. 5.0 ypc
(10/31) QB Lowry a weapon, JAG arm, only real rush threat
(10/31) Def meh vs Mia OH, all 400+ but good on 3rd D's
(10/22) DL is one of best in CFB, best in G5 statistically
(10/8) Def has improved a lot, red zone defense especially
(9/20) Off is terrible, esp Run Off. QB Lowry meh
(9/20) Huge win vs Toledo. Def held 5-18 3rd down, 3 TO
(8/30) QB B Jones starter, B Lowry is QB2, both bad
(8/30) Run game alarming bad vs Mich St, 1.2 ypc
Western Michigan Injury Report
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 Michigan on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
WMU OffILL Def
Perf GradePerf #71 #63
SuccessSuc #56 #114
ExplosiveExp #136 #34
PPAPPA #102 #97
PowerPwr #124 #64
SP+SP+ #110 #41
Pts POPPO #103 #122
HavocHav #20 #73
Western Michigan Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
WMU OffILL Def
Run GameRun #32 #45
Run SuccessRSuc #32 #39
Run ExplRExp #95 #43
PPAExp #56 #40
Run BlockR Blk #76 -
OL YdsOLY #28 #50
Stuff RateStuff #33 #54
TackleTak -  #33
Western Michigan Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
WMU OffILL Def
Pass GamePass #100 #99
Pass SuccessPSuc #116 #134
Pass ExplPExl #119 #5
PPAExp #125 #103
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #103 #42
F7 HavocF7 #60 #89
DB HavocDB #7 #49
Illinois on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatILL OffWMU Def
Perf GradePerf #18 #63
SuccessSuc #19 #18
ExplosiveExp #106 #64
PPAPPA #41 #16
PowerPwr #17 #65
SP+SP+ #35 #46
Pts POPPO #27 #13
HavocHav #65 #35
Illinois Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffWMU Def
Run GameRun #69 #78
Run SuccessRSuc #35 #24
Run ExplRExp #129 #97
PPAExp #101 #47
Run BlockR Blk #12 -
OL YdsOLY #66 #47
Stuff RateStuff #87 #88
TackleTak -  #107
Illinois Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatILL OffWMU Def
Pass GamePass #37 #84
Pass SuccessPSuc #13 #23
Pass ExplPExl #44 #29
PPAExp #15 #13
Pass Block/RushP Blk #79 #30
F7 HavocF7 #94 #19
DB HavocDB #33 #68
Program Comparison
ILL 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Up to Average P4

WMU 5 Year Profile: Improving Average G5
'25 Profile: Remains Average G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions: Clear
Temp: 89° - Wind: 9 mph
Rematch from Week 3
Illinois -27.5 (50.5)
Illinois won vs Western Michigan this year (38-0)

No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
WMU's OC Walt Bell (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Broc Lowry16626263%1803936.9
Brady Jones194048%136133.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jalen Buckley179100395.667
Broc Lowry203963144.737
Devin Miles9942534.332
Ofa Mataele5725234.422
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Tailique Williams (Tr)35478213.771
Baylin Brooks (Tr)27372013.842
Aveion Chenault23277212.045
Blake Bosma2725119.324

View Western Michigan's Full Roster

WMU's DC Chris O'Leary (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
James Camden855410
Sefa Saipaia Jr.776250
Tate Hallock672142
Jarvarius Sims (Tr)612104
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Nadame Tucker (Tr)552215161
Rodney McGraw4297101
James Camden855410
Tyson Lee153330
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Joshua Franklin5362110
Aaron Wofford331008
Jarvarius Sims (Tr)612104

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