College football columnist Bob Asmussen sees the Illini as underdogs by just 2½ points, yet he backs them to edge Maryland 27‑24 on Saturday.
Key points
- Illinois is listed as a 2½‑point underdog against Maryland, contrary to broader expectations of a larger Illinois advantage.
- Asmussen predicts a 27‑24 Illini victory, hinging on a late fourth‑quarter touchdown pass from Michael Clayton to Collin Dixon.
- Readers can submit their own score predictions for a chance to win a $50 gift card.
Bob Asmussen, longtime Illini beat writer and AP Top 25 voter, opened his "Can't Wait For Saturday" column by reminding readers that the upcoming Illinois‑Maryland matchup is his first weekly look at the college point spreads.
While many oddsmakers listed Illinois as a 7‑ to 10‑point favorite in Maryland, Asmussen noted that the Illini are actually a 2½‑point underdog on the books, a discrepancy he attributes to the teams' recent history rather than current form.
Point spread surprise
He recalled that Maryland’s most recent blowout win in 2018 came under former Illini coach Lovie Smith, that Maryland edged Illinois by three points in Bret Bielema’s first season, and that Illinois turned the tables with a victory in College Park in 2023.
Based on that backdrop, Asmussen predicts a 27‑24 Illinois win, with the decisive score coming from a late fourth‑quarter pass from Michael Clayton to Collin Dixon that would give Dixon his school’s single‑season touchdown record with at least four games remaining.
Historical context
Asmussen also invited readers to email their own predictions to asmussen@news-gazette.com by 11 a.m. Saturday, offering a $50 Papa Del’s gift card to anyone who hits the exact score.
Reader questions
What score does Bob Asmussen predict for the Illinois‑Maryland game?
He predicts Illinois will win 27‑24.
How can readers submit their own predictions?
Predictions can be emailed to asmussen@news-gazette.com by 11 a.m. on Saturday, with the score placed in the subject line.
What prize is offered for a correct prediction?
A $50 gift card to Papa Del’s will be awarded to anyone who correctly predicts the exact final score.
Source: news-gazette.com