The Wyoming Cowboys and the Illinois Fighting Illini will face off in a Saturday afternoon contest during Week 0 of the 2022 college football season. The Cowboys are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall. On the other side, the Fighting Illini are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games in August. Wyoming was 7-6 in 2021, but took heavy losses in the transfer portal. Illinois went 5-7 in Bret Bielema's first season last year.
Kickoff from the Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., is set for 4 p.m. ET. After opening at -9.5, the Fighting Illini are now -14 in the latest Wyoming vs. Illinois odds at Caesars Sportsbook. The over/under for total points is set at 43. Before locking in any Illinois vs. Wyoming picks or college football predictions, you need to see what the SportsLine Projection Model has to say.
The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past six years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,600 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also finished the 2021-22 college football season on a 43-31 run on all top-rated college football side picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Illinois vs. Wyoming and just locked in its picks and CFB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college football odds and betting lines for Wyoming vs. Illinois:
- Illinois vs. Wyoming spread: Fighting Illini -14
- Illinois vs. Wyoming over/under: 43 points
- Illinois vs. Wyoming money line: Fighting Illini -650, Cowboys +460
- WYO: Over is 5-1 in Cowboys' last six games overall
- ILL: Fighting Illini are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall
- Illinois vs. Wyoming picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Wyoming can cover
Sophomore linebacker Easton Gibbs will be a physical anchor in the middle of this defensive unit. Gibbs is a quick and strong force with terrific reaction time. The California native formed an outstanding duo with 2022 third-round pick Chad Muma. As a freshman, Gibbs was second on the team in total tackles (89) with four pass deflections.
Nose tackle Cole Godbout is a big-attacking presence on the defensive line. Godbout could consistently beat his man and get into the backfield. The Wisconsin native finished the campaign third on the team in total tackles (70), tied for second in TFL (7), and first in sacks (5). He would also get his hand up at the line of scrimmage, batting down five passes.
Why Illinois can cover
Illinois will look to establish the ground attack in this contest. If the Illini can get that going, they can dial up some deep shots downfield. This team averaged 173.6 rushing yards per game during the 2021 season. Sophomore running back Josh McCray plays a nice role in this ground game. McCray was second on the team with 112 carries for 549 yards and two scores.
The Alabama native has displayed good vision with solid speed. He rushed for 100-plus yards in two contests last season, including a monster performance against Purdue. McCray logged 24 carries for 156 yards with 6.5 yards per carry. If they can get this run game going it will allow everything else in the offense to open up.
How to make Wyoming vs. Illinois picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 45 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits well over 60% of the time. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Illinois vs. Wyoming? And which side of the spread hits well over 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to back, all from the advanced model that is up almost $3,600 on its top-rated college football spread picks, and find out.
