Illinois is riding its hottest stretch of the season, but the Illini will face a big challenge when they travel to California to take on No. 8 UCLA next weekend.
The Illini opened as 10.5-point underdogs against the Bruins, according to FanDuel, with UCLA listed at -10.5 (-105). Illinois is +10.5 (-115) against the spread.
UCLA is a -385 favorite on the moneyline, while Illinois sits at +310. The over/under is set at 45.5 points, with the over at -104 and the under at -118.
Bret Bielema’s bowl-eligible
team enters the matchup at 6-3 overall (4-2 in Big Ten play) after earning its fourth consecutive victory Friday night, defeating Nebraska 24-13 at Gies Memorial Stadium. Illinois has turned its season around following a 2-3 start, picking up wins over Michigan State, Oregon, Maryland and Nebraska.
That 21-10 victory over the Ducks keeps looking better and better, now that Oregon knocked off Ohio State in Columbus on Saturday afternoon.
Illinois has allowed just 40 points combined in its last three games, with the defense continuing to find its footing down the stretch after the departure of Bobby Hauck in late September.
Now, the Illini will get a chance to test themselves against one of the Big Ten’s best. UCLA enters the matchup undefeated at 8-0 and (as of Sunday morning) ranked No. 8 nationally, making this arguably Illinois’ toughest remaining test. (Say what you want about the Bruins, but they’re good this year. Are they THAT good, though?)
Bob Chesney’s Bruins have built their unblemished record around a strong defense and a balanced offensive attack, but UCLA will have backup QB Ty Dieffenbach under center. He certainly didn’t play like a backup Saturday in Minneapolis, but he’s no Nico Iamaleava.
If Illinois plays to its potential — and Bielema certainly thinks they can — then the Illini will have a chance to pull off its first road win over a top-10 team since that epic Penn State game in 2021.
And despite the double-digit spread, the Illini have shown plenty of fight over the last month. A fifth consecutive victory would give Illinois an enormous boost and somehow keep them alive for the Big Ten Championship Game.
