Illinois Fighting Illini (1-0) vs. Duke Blue Devils (1-0)
September 6, 2025 12:00 pm EDT
The Line: Duke Blue Devils 3 / Illinois Fighting Illini -3; Over/Under: 50.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Illinois Fighting Illini and Duke Blue Devils meet Saturday in college football action at Wallace Wade Stadium. Here’s a Duke vs Illinois Prediction. This article will include a Duke vs Illinois Pick.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview
The Illinois Fighting Illini beat Western Illinois and plays Western Michigan and Indiana next. Illinois has won 4 straight regular season games. Luke Altmyer is completing 81 percent of his passes for 217 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Hank Beatty and Malik Elzy have combined for 133 receiving yards on 7 catches, while Justin Bowick has 3 receptions.
The Illinois Fighting Illini ground game is averaging 209 yards per contest, and Aidan Laughery leads the way with 101 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Illinois is allowing 3 points and 163 yards per game. Gabe Jacas leads the Illinois Fighting Illini with 5 tackles, Tomiwa Durojaiye has 1 sack and Gentle Hunt has 0.5 sacks.
Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview
The Duke Blue Devils beat Elon, and they play theulane and NC State next. Duke has won 4 straight regular season games. Darian Mensah is completing 79.4 percent of his passes for 389 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Cooper Barkate and Que’Sean Brown have combined for 210 receiving yards on 11 catches, while Sahmir Hagans has 5 receptions.
The Duke Blue Devils ground game is averaging 159 yards per contest, and Anderson Castle leads the way with 69 yards on 3 carries. Defensively, Duke is allowing 17 points and 275 yards per game. Jaiden Francois leads the Duke Blue Devils with 10 tackles, Josiah Green has 1 sack and Vincent Anthony Jr. has 1 pass deflection.
Why the Duke Blue Devils will win
- Duke has won each of its last seven games against teams from Illinois.
- Illinois has lost each of its last five September road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Duke has covered the spread in each of its last seven games against teams from Illinois.
- Illinois has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Duke has won the first quarter in each of its last four games against opponents from the Big Ten Conference.
- Duke has won the first half in 29 of its last 33 games against non-conference opponents at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
Why the Illinois Fighting Illini will win
- Duke has lost 15 of its last 16 games against AP-ranked teams.
- Illinois has won each of its last six games against non-conference opponents.
- Illinois has covered the spread in seven of its last eight road games.
- Duke has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games against non-conference opponents at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
- Illinois has won the first quarter in each of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
- Illinois has won the first half in each of its last six games against non-conference opponents.
Duke Blue Devils Player Prop Facts
- Darian Mensah has thrown two or more touchdown passes in five consecutive games – equal-longest streak in the FBS.
Illinois Fighting Illini Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 2, Tanner Arkin ranks T1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (100.0%) this season.
Duke vs Illinois Prediction
You can make a case for Duke at home in the underdog role, as it’s led by a proven quarterback and has a defense that can rush the passer a bit. However, this is one of the more talented Illinois teams in recent memory, and it’s hard to ignore these soft lines. Illinois has difference makers on both sides of the ball, and it’s going to take more than 3 points for me to look in the other direction. Illinois is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games as a favorite. I question if Duke has the depth to hang in this game. I’ll lay the small chalk with Illinois on the road.
