Illinois at Michigan State Week 6 College Football Matchup Illinois at Michigan State Matchup - Week 6
Sat, Oct 10 2026 · Week 6 · 🏟 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI · Turf · 75,005 cap
Illinois✈ 265 mi+1 hr TZ
Preseason projection — This game has not yet been played and 2026 in-season data is not yet available. Edges are based on 2025 full-season performance. Confidence will increase once in-season games are logged.
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
Illinois
31
Michigan State
24
P&R Line Illinois -7
P&R Total O/U 55.5
Confidence 69 Good
Matchup Prediction
Illinois has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor Illinois entering this game.
Momentum Control
61.3%
Illinois wins
Lean
Game Control
64.9%
Illinois wins
Lean
Advanced Stats
All 4 factors agree → Illinois · 83.1% ATS historically when all four align
↓ See full breakdown
Illinois 2026 Schedule
Illinois's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Illinois vs UAB-28
Sat 9/12Illinois vs Duke-7
Sat 9/19Illinois vs Southern Illinois-29.5
Sat 9/26Illinois at Ohio State+23.5
Sat 10/3Illinois vs Purdue-14.5
Sat 10/10Illinois at Michigan State-7
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24Illinois vs Oregon+15
Sat 10/31Illinois at Maryland-2
Sat 11/7Illinois vs Nebraska-5
Sat 11/14Illinois at UCLA-0.5
Sat 11/21Illinois vs Iowa+1.5
Sat 11/28Illinois vs Northwestern-9
Michigan State 2026 Schedule
Michigan State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Michigan State vs Toledo-7.5
Sat 9/12Michigan State vs Eastern Michigan-13.5
Sat 9/19Michigan State at Notre Dame+29
Sat 9/26Michigan State vs Nebraska+4.5
Sat 10/3Michigan State at Wisconsin+4
Sat 10/10Michigan State vs Illinois+7
Sat 10/17Michigan State vs Northwestern+0
Sat 10/24Michigan State at UCLA+9
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/7Michigan State at Michigan+20.5
Sat 11/14Michigan State vs Washington+14
Sat 11/21Michigan State vs Oregon+24.5
Sat 11/28Michigan State at Rutgers+3
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2025 season (prior year)
Illinois PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
All 4 Agree
→ Illinois
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ Illinois
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Illinois
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
Illinois #39
+0.420
Michigan State #97
+0.322
Illinois Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Illinois #21
+0.730
Michigan State #74
+0.553
Illinois Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
Illinois #75
0.153
Michigan State #110
0.135
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Illinois Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Illinois #29
+8.118
Michigan State #64
+8.083
Illinois Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Illinois #15
+0.931
Michigan State #79
+0.869
Illinois Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Illinois #39
69.7
Michigan State #118
72.7
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Illinois Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2025 season (prior year — 2026 data not yet available) · 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
Illinois #29
8.0
Michigan State #80
-1.7
Offense Rating
Illinois #31
18.9
Michigan State #67
15.8
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
Illinois #30
10.9
Michigan State #94
17.4
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Illinois Edge
Avg sequences created per game
Illinois #71
1.08
Michigan State #113
0.36
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
Illinois #97
1.00
Michigan State #73
1.00
Illinois +0.72
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 61.3% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Illinois Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
Illinois #33
51.5
Michigan State #98
36.3
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
Illinois #56
35.3
Michigan State #90
45.7
Illinois +15.2
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 64.9% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Coaching Matchup
Illinois
Bret Bielema #34
37–26 (59%) · Yr 6 at school
OC Barry Lunney Jr. Yr 3 #55
DC Bobby Hauck Yr 1 #68
Staff Rating
2.90 #55
Michigan State
Pat Fitzgerald #32
0–0 (0%) · Yr 1 at school
OC Nick Sheridan Yr 1 #35
DC Joe Rossi Yr 3 #50
Staff Rating
3.19 #33
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