Ad Disclosure
Vegas sees Illinois as 7.5-point underdogs in Week 2
Published:
In head coach Lovie Smith’s first game in charge of Illinois, all the Fighting Illini did was beat its opponent 52-3. Granted, it was Murray State, but a 49-point victory is a 49-point victory.
Despite the seven-touchdown differential, Illinois is seen as a 7.5-point underdog in its Week 2 matchup against No. 22 North Carolina. Illinois is at home and North Carolina lost its season-opener to No. 18 Georgia, but as everyone knows, records aren’t everything.
.@WynnLasVegas openers:
Arkansas @ TCU -9.5
Tulsa @ Ohio St -27
Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee -10
Iowa St @ Iowa -17
UNC -7.5 @ Illinois— David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) September 4, 2016
Being ranked No. 22 in the Associated Press’ preseason poll will mean the loss North Carolina suffered in Week 1 will probably mean the Tar Heels will slip out of the top-25 for Week 2. Because of Illinois’ recent lackluster seasons, it’s doubtful the Fighting Illini will find themselves in the top-25.
The game is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. CST on Sept. 10 at Memorial Stadium and can be seen on BTN.
Kevin covers Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.