Maryland at Illinois Week 3 College Football Matchup Maryland at Illinois Matchup - Week 3
Sat, Sep 18 2021 · Week 3 · 🏟 Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL · Turf · 60,670 cap
Maryland✈ 605 mi-1 hr TZ
Away
20 17
Final
Home
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
Maryland
28
Illinois
29
P&R Line Illinois -0.5
P&R Total O/U 56.5
Confidence 86 High
Vegas Maryland -7 · O/U 61.5
Matchup Prediction
Maryland has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor Maryland entering this game.
Momentum Control
73.7%
Maryland wins
Solid
Game Control
75.9%
Maryland wins
Solid
Vegas Spread
Maryland -7
O/U 61.5
teamrankings
Advanced Stats
PPA + Success Rate agree → Maryland · 73.9% ATS historically
↓ See full breakdown
Maryland 2021 Schedule
Maryland's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/4Maryland vs West Virginia+2.5W30–2456.0W30–24UY
Sat 9/11Maryland vs Howard-48.5W62–056.0W62–0OY
Fri 9/17Maryland at Illinois-7.0W20–1761.5W20–17UN
Sat 9/25Maryland vs Kent State-13.0W37–1671.5W37–16UY
Fri 10/1Maryland vs Iowa+3.0L14–5147.5L14–51ON
Sat 10/9Maryland at Ohio State+22.0L17–6671.5L17–66ON
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/23Maryland at Minnesota+4.0L16–3453.0L16–34UN
Sat 10/30Maryland vs Indiana-3.5W38–3548.0W38–35ON
Sat 11/6Maryland vs Penn State+10.0L14–3156.5L14–31UN
Sat 11/13Maryland at Michigan State+11.5L21–4060.0L21–40ON
Sat 11/20Maryland vs Michigan+16.0L18–5958.5L18–59ON
Sat 11/27Maryland at Rutgers+2.0W40–1653.0W40–16OY
Wed 12/29Maryland vs Virginia Tech-4.0W54–1055.0W54–10OY
Illinois 2021 Schedule
Illinois's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/28Illinois vs Nebraska+6.5W30–2252.0W30–22UY
Sat 9/4Illinois vs UTSA-4.5L30–3752.0L30–37ON
Sat 9/11Illinois at Virginia+10.5L14–4257.0L14–42UN
Fri 9/17Illinois vs Maryland+7.0L17–2061.5L17–20UY
Sat 9/25Illinois at Purdue+10.5L9–1353.5L9–13UY
Sat 10/2Illinois vs Charlotte-10.0W24–1454.0W24–14UN
Sat 10/9Illinois vs Wisconsin+12.5L0–2442.0L0–24UN
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/23Illinois at Penn State+24.5W20–1846.0W20–18UY
Sat 10/30Illinois vs Rutgers+1.5L14–2041.5L14–20UN
Sat 11/6Illinois at Minnesota+14.5W14–644.5W14–6UY
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/20Illinois at Iowa+12.0L23–3337.5L23–33OY
Sat 11/27Illinois vs Northwestern-7.0W47–1445.0W47–14OY
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2021 season
Maryland PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Maryland
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
Maryland
+0.448
Illinois
+0.350
Maryland Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Maryland
+0.622
Illinois
+0.411
Maryland Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
Maryland
0.143
Illinois
0.153
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Illinois Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Maryland
+7.136
Illinois
+6.973
Maryland Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Maryland
+0.923
Illinois
+0.834
Maryland Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Maryland
72.1
Illinois
72.0
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Illinois Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2021 season · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Illinois Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
Maryland
4.5
Illinois
8.0
Offense Rating
Maryland
17.5
Illinois
18.9
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
Maryland
13.0
Illinois
10.9
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Maryland Edge
Avg sequences created per game
Maryland #90
2.00
Illinois #100
0.33
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
Maryland #126
1.00
Illinois #16
1.33
Maryland +1.67
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 73.7% of games historically
Based on 3 games this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Maryland Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
Maryland #1
66.2
Illinois #1
23.8
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
Maryland #85
17.9
Illinois #97
64.8
Maryland +42.4
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 75.9% of games historically
Based on 3 games this season
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season

Both metrics agree on Maryland with a large edge. Historically, dominant teams like this are fully priced into the spread — the agreed-upon team covers just 50.2% of the time. The metrics predict game control better than they beat the number.

ATS data is informational only. Past cover rates do not guarantee future results.

Coaching Matchup
Maryland
Mike Locksley #1
9–17 (35%) · Yr 3 at school
OC Dan Enos Yr 1 #1
DC Brian Williams Yr 1 #1
Staff Rating
0.00 #1
Illinois
Bret Bielema #1
1–3 (25%) · Yr 1 at school
OC Tony Petersen Yr 1 #1
DC Ryan Walters Yr 1 #1
Staff Rating
0.00 #1
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself