Illinois vs. Kansas prediction: College football picks, odds

When Illinois and Kansas get together in basketball, it’s normally a big deal.

But these two teams are squaring off in Lawrence on Friday night in football in a solid matchup between two up-and-coming schools in a Big Ten-Big 12 battle.

The Fighting Illini squeezed past reigning MAC champion Toledo in the final seconds, 30-28, but Illinois failed to cover as 7.5-point home favorites.

Illinois won in spite of losing the first-down battle (28-20) and was outgained by 42 yards.

Kansas rolled past FCS foe Missouri State, 48-17 as the Jayhawks outscored the Bears in the second half, 31-7.

KU starting quarterback Jalon Daniels sat out with a back injury and his status is still up in the air for Friday.

Jason Bean threw for 276 yards and two touchdown passes in the win over Missouri State.

Illinois is 9-4 ATS under head coach Bret Bielema in the underdog role.

Betting on College Football?

The Illini are 6-2 ATS as a road ’dog, which includes outright wins since 2021 at Minnesota, Penn State, and Wisconsin.

Given Daniels’ uncertainty and Illinois’ ability to cover as an underdog, let’s take the points with the Fighting Illini.