Sat, Sep 14 2024
·
Week 3
·
🏟 Memorial Stadium
Champaign, IL
·
Turf
·
60,670 cap
Central Michigan✈ 299 mi-1 hr TZ
Matchup Prediction
Illinois
has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor
Illinois entering this game.
Momentum Control
71.6%
Illinois wins
Solid
Game Control
67.1%
Illinois wins
Solid
Vegas Spread
Illinois -21.5
O/U 49.5
ESPN Bet
Advanced Stats
Advanced factors are split · No strong agreement signal
↓ See full breakdown
Central Michigan 2024 Schedule
Central Michigan's 2024 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 8/29 | Central Michigan vs Central Connecticut | -33.5W66–10 | 54.5 | W66–10 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/7 | Central Michigan vs Florida International | -3.5L16–52 | 51.5 | L16–52 | O | N |
| Sat 9/14 | Central Michigan at Illinois | +21.5L9–30 | 49.5 | L9–30 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/21 | Central Michigan vs Ball State | -6.5W37–34 | 51.0 | W37–34 | O | N |
| Sat 9/28 | Central Michigan vs San Diego State | -2.5W22–21 | 47.5 | W22–21 | U | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 10/12 | Central Michigan vs Ohio | +3.0L25–27 | 50.5 | L25–27 | O | Y |
| Sat 10/19 | Central Michigan at Eastern Michigan | +3.5L34–38 | 52.5 | L34–38 | O | N |
| Sat 10/26 | Central Michigan at Miami (OH) | +10.5L7–46 | 48.5 | L7–46 | O | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Tue 11/5 | Central Michigan vs Bowling Green | +14.5L13–23 | 47.5 | L13–23 | U | Y |
| Tue 11/12 | Central Michigan at Toledo | +15.0L10–37 | 52.5 | L10–37 | U | N |
| Tue 11/19 | Central Michigan vs Western Michigan | +6.0W16–14 | 56.0 | W16–14 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/30 | Central Michigan at Northern Illinois | +16.5L16–24 | 41.5 | L16–24 | U | Y |
Illinois 2024 Schedule
Illinois's 2024 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 8/29 | Illinois vs Eastern Illinois | -28.5W45–0 | 50.5 | W45–0 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/7 | Illinois vs Kansas | +4.5W23–17 | 58.5 | W23–17 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/14 | Illinois vs Central Michigan | -21.5W30–9 | 49.5 | W30–9 | U | N |
| Fri 9/20 | Illinois at Nebraska | +9.5W31–24 | 41.5 | W31–24 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/28 | Illinois at Penn State | +19.5L7–21 | 48.0 | L7–21 | U | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 10/12 | Illinois vs Purdue | -22.5W50–49 | 47.5 | W50–49 | O | N |
| Sat 10/19 | Illinois vs Michigan | +6.0W21–7 | 44.0 | W21–7 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/26 | Illinois at Oregon | +22.5L9–38 | 54.0 | L9–38 | U | N |
| Sat 11/2 | Illinois vs Minnesota | +2.5L17–25 | 47.0 | L17–25 | U | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 11/16 | Illinois vs Michigan State | -2.0W38–16 | 47.5 | W38–16 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/23 | Illinois at Rutgers | +2.0W38–31 | 48.0 | W38–31 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/30 | Illinois vs Northwestern | -8.5W38–28 | 42.5 | W38–28 | O | Y |
| Tue 12/31 | Illinois vs South Carolina | +9.5W21–17 | 50.0 | W21–17 | U | Y |
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) ·
2024 season
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
Split
Metrics disagree
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2024 season ·
Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences
Who builds scoring momentum?
Illinois Edge
Illinois +1.00
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 71.6% of games historically
Based on 1 game this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance
Who controls games start to finish?
Illinois Edge
Illinois +12.5
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 67.1% of games historically
Based on 2 games this season
Actual Result
CSS Battle
Illinois
1 — 0 sequences
✓ Predicted correctly
GC Battle
Illinois
74.5 — 9.4 GC score
✓ Predicted correctly
Game Result
Illinois won by 21
✓ Model called it
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season
Both metrics agree on Illinois with a moderate edge in both. This is the strongest ATS signal in our backtest: teams in this situation have covered 55.8% of the time (n=113).
ATS data is informational only. Past cover rates do not guarantee future results.
Coaching Matchup
Central Michigan
Jim McElwain #1
29–28 (51%)
· Yr 6 at school
OC
Jim McElwain
Yr 1
#1
DC
Robb Akey
Yr 3
#1
Illinois
Bret Bielema #1
18–19 (49%)
· Yr 4 at school
OC
Barry Lunney Jr.
Yr 3
#1
DC
Aaron Henry
Yr 2
#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: CSS is not a predictive 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: GS is not a predictive 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 ✓
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: CSS is not a predictive 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: GS is not a predictive 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 ✓

