Wisconsin at Illinois Week 8 College Football Matchup Wisconsin at Illinois Matchup - Week 8
Sat, Oct 21 2023 · Week 8 · 🏟 Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL · Turf · 60,670 cap
Wisconsin✈ 214 miSame TZ
25 21
Final
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📊 Punt & Rally Projection
Wisconsin
27
WIS -3
Illinois
19
P&R Line Wisconsin -7.5
P&R Total O/U 45.5
Confidence 90 High
Vegas Wisconsin -3 · O/U 40.5
Matchup Prediction
Wisconsin has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor Wisconsin entering this game.
Momentum Control
61.3%
Wisconsin wins
Lean
Game Control
75.9%
Wisconsin wins
Solid
Vegas Spread
Wisconsin -3
O/U 40.5
DraftKings
Advanced Stats
All 4 factors agree → Wisconsin · 83.1% ATS historically when all four align
↓ See full breakdown
Wisconsin 2023 Schedule
Wisconsin's 2023 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/2Wisconsin vs Buffalo-29.0W38–1752.5W38–17ON
Sat 9/9Wisconsin at Washington State-5.0L22–3158.0L22–31UN
Sat 9/16Wisconsin vs Georgia Southern-20.5W35–1465.5W35–14UY
Fri 9/22Wisconsin at Purdue-5.5W38–1754.0W38–17OY
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/7Wisconsin vs Rutgers-12.5W24–1344.0W24–13UN
Sat 10/14Wisconsin vs Iowa-8.0L6–1533.5L6–15UN
Sat 10/21Wisconsin at Illinois-3.0W25–2140.5W25–21OY
Sat 10/28Wisconsin vs Ohio State+14.5L10–2448.0L10–24UY
Sat 11/4Wisconsin at Indiana-9.5L14–2045.0L14–20UN
Sat 11/11Wisconsin vs Northwestern-9.5L10–2443.5L10–24UN
Sat 11/18Wisconsin vs Nebraska-7.5W24–1736.5W24–17ON
Sat 11/25Wisconsin at Minnesota-1.5W28–1442.0W28–14UY
Mon 1/1Wisconsin vs LSU+9.5L31–3559.5L31–35OY
Illinois 2023 Schedule
Illinois's 2023 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/2Illinois vs Toledo-7.0W30–2845.5W30–28ON
Fri 9/8Illinois at Kansas+3.5L23–3457.5L23–34UN
Sat 9/16Illinois vs Penn State+14.0L13–3047.5L13–30UN
Sat 9/23Illinois vs Florida Atlantic-16.0W23–1745.5W23–17UN
Sat 9/30Illinois at Purdue+1.0L19–4454.0L19–44ON
Fri 10/6Illinois vs Nebraska-3.5L7–2043.0L7–20UN
Sat 10/14Illinois at Maryland+13.5W27–2452.0W27–24UY
Sat 10/21Illinois vs Wisconsin+3.0L21–2540.5L21–25ON
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/4Illinois at Minnesota+1.5W27–2643.0W27–26OY
Sat 11/11Illinois vs Indiana-4.5W48–4543.5W48–45ON
Sat 11/18Illinois at Iowa+2.5L13–1533.5L13–15UY
Sat 11/25Illinois vs Northwestern-5.0L43–4546.5L43–45ON
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2023 season
Wisconsin PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
All 4 Agree
→ Wisconsin
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ Wisconsin
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Wisconsin
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
Wisconsin #84
+0.358
Illinois #66
+0.301
Wisconsin Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Wisconsin #116
+0.410
Illinois #35
+0.552
Illinois Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
Wisconsin #44
0.172
Illinois #87
0.153
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Wisconsin Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Wisconsin #55
+8.103
Illinois #71
+6.886
Wisconsin Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Wisconsin #50
+0.880
Illinois #30
+0.859
Wisconsin Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Wisconsin #76
70.8
Illinois #129
74.0
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Wisconsin Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2023 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
Wisconsin
0.3
Illinois
8.0
Offense Rating
Wisconsin
15.1
Illinois
18.9
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
Wisconsin
14.8
Illinois
10.9
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Wisconsin Edge
Avg sequences created per game
Wisconsin #76
1.33
Illinois #70
0.86
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
Wisconsin #6
0.00
Illinois #86
1.71
Wisconsin +0.48
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 61.3% of games historically
Based on 7 games this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Wisconsin Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
Wisconsin #1
53.1
Illinois #1
28.6
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
Wisconsin #85
29.1
Illinois #90
54.7
Wisconsin +24.5
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 75.9% of games historically
Based on 7 games this season
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season

Both metrics agree on Wisconsin 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
Wisconsin
Luke Fickell #1
2–1 (67%) · Yr 1 at school
OC Phil Longo Yr 1 #1
DC Colin Hitschler Yr 1 #1
Staff Rating
0.00 #1
Illinois
Bret Bielema #1
14–14 (50%) · Yr 3 at school
OC Barry Lunney Jr. Yr 2 #1
DC Aaron Henry 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