Free Football Picks – Indiana vs Illinois

If you’re looking for some Free Football Picks heading into this weekend, you’ve come to the right place, as we get set to breakdown a key Big Ten matchup. With both Indiana and Illinois needing a victory, who’ll have the edge when the two get together Saturday?

Indiana Hoosiers (4-2 SU, 3-3 ATS) at Illinois Fighting Illini (3-3 SU, 4-2 ATS)

Saturday, October 23: 12:00 p.m. Big Ten Network

[Off topic: by the way, do you want to get a 55% bonus on your first deposit here at BetOnline? If so JOIN NOW.]

NCAAF Betting Odds:

Indiana: +14
Illinois: -14

For Indiana, they come into this game banged up, and off a much tougher than expected victory over Arkansas State last weekend.

In that game, the Hoosiers were without the services of starting running back Darius Willis who is out for the year, and they struggled, holding on for dear life 36-34 to a struggling Red Wolves squad. Quarterback Ben Chappell was the star of the game, throwing for three touchdowns.

Really though, Chappell has been the star all year, as he just might be the most underrated quarterback in the country. Chappell has put up stellar stats all throughout 2010, throwing for 1,858 yards on the season, and 16 touchdowns, while tossing just three interceptions.

Last weekend he threw for 382 yards, the fourth time he’s topped the 300 yard mark this year.

The Illini don’t throw the ball with nearly the acumen of Chappell and Indiana, but instead choose to run the ball with big back Mikel Leshoure. While Leshoure gets lost in the shuffle with so many great backs in the Big Ten, don’t be mistaken, the junior is as good as they come.

In 2010, Leshoure has already rushed for 680 yards, which ranks him 16th in the country in that category.

Of course the problem with Illinois is their passing attack. And because of that, make Indiana one of your weekend Free Football Picks.

While we know what we’re going to get from Indiana offensively: A lot of passing yards and a lot of points, we’re not nearly as certain as to what Illinois will bring us. Yes Leshoure is good, but has only rushed for three touchdowns this season.

That puts added pressure on young quarterback Nathan Sheelhaase, and so far the youngster has struggled. On the season, Sheelhaase is completing just 58 percent of his passes, and has thrown for only four touchdowns compared to seven interceptions.

Now we’re not saying that Illinois can’t or won’t win this game, because they probably will. They play surprisingly well on defense (24th nationally in scoring defense) and should be able to keep this Indiana offense in check.

But if you’re asking if they should be your Free Football Picks this weekend, stay away. Illinois shouldn’t be giving two touchdowns to anyone with the way their offense struggles.

In the end, look for Leshoure and the Fighting Illini’s defense to get the job done against this pesky Indiana offense. But when it comes to the weekend’s Free Football Picks, take the Indiana Hoosiers. With Chappell running the show, they’ll easily cover the NCAAF betting lines.

Free Football Pick: Indiana +14