Duke Blue Devils (1-0) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (1-0) September 12, 2026 3:30 pm EDT The Line: Illinois Fighting Illini -5.5 / Duke Blue Devils 5.5; Over/Under: 51.5 (Get latest betting odds)
The Duke Blue Devils and Illinois Fighting Illini meet Saturday in week 2 college football action at Gies Memorial Stadium. Here’s an Illinois vs Duke Prediction. This article will include an Illinois vs Duke Pick.
The Duke Blue Devils beat Tulane, and they play Stanford next. Duke looks for its fourth 2-0 start in the last five seasons. Walker Eget is completing 50 percent of his passes for 131 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Jonah Burton and Jeremiah Hasley have combined for 74 receiving yards on 5 catches, while CJ Campbell Jr. has 3 receptions.
The Duke Blue Devils ground game is averaging 250 yards per contest, and Nate Sheppard leads the way with 227 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Duke is allowing 3 points and 258 yards per game. Nick Morris Jr. leads the Duke Blue Devils with 6 tackles, Bryce Davis has 2 sacks, and Kyon Loud has 2 pass deflections.
The Illinois Fighting Illini beat UAB, and they play Southern Illinois next. Illinois looks for its third straight 2-0 start to the season. Katin Houser is completing 76.5 percent of his passes for 182 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Collin Dixon and Ty Robinson have combined for 124 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, while Hudson Clement has 3 receptions.
The Illinois Fighting Illini ground game is averaging 150 yards per contest, and Ca’Lil Valentine leads the way with 88 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Illinois is allowing 23 points and 413 yards per game. Matthew Bailey leads the Illinois Fighting Illini with 8 tackles, Ean Rhea has 1 sack, and Ismael Kante has 1 interception.
Duke isn’t a pushover, but I have questions about this team on the road in Big Ten country. Will Duke be able to survive the bully ball and hold its own in the trenches? I also need to see more from quarterback Eget if Duke is going to be a worthwhile team in the ACC. I’m buying what Illinois is selling, and Bret Bielema is putting his fingerprints all over this program. We’re laying less than a full touchdown. Is it fair to say Illinois is good? I’ll lay the points with Illinois at home.