The ReliaQuest Bowl gets the action started on Monday when the #22 Mississippi State Bulldogs (8-4) play the Illinois Fighting Illini (8-4). Mississippi State is appearing in their 26th bowl game and currently have a 14-11 record. Illinois is making their 20th bowl game appearance and are 8-11. Below is my college football pick for Mississippi State vs Illinois.
Mississippi State vs Illinois Betting Pick
| ℹ️ The Pick: | Illinois -1.5 |
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This game will be played at Raymond James Stadium at 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday, January 2, 2023.
Why Bet Illinois -1.5
✅ Illinois is 11-4 against the spread in their last 15 games played.
✅ The Fighting Illini are 7-3 straight up in their last 10 games.
✅ Mississippi State is 2-4 ATS in their last six games.
NCAAFB
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Illinois Fighting Illini
Team Stats
Passing
Offense/Defense
| MSPST | Passing | ILL |
|---|---|---|
| 18.1 | CMP | 19.1 |
| 30.7 | ATT | 31.2 |
| 59 | CMP% | 61.2 |
| 238.9 | Y/G | 215.9 |
| 7.8 | Y/A | 6.9 |
| 1.7 | TD/G | 1.4 |
Defense/Offense
| MSPST | Passing | ILL |
|---|---|---|
| 21.1 | CMP | 17.8 |
| 29.7 | ATT | 28.8 |
| 71 | CMP% | 61.8 |
| 246.3 | Y/G | 215.3 |
| 8.3 | Y/A | 7.5 |
| 2.1 | TD/G | 1.8 |
Rushing
Offense/Defense
| MSPST | Rushing | ILL |
|---|---|---|
| 36.7 | ATT | 33.4 |
| 146.9 | Y/G | 147.3 |
| 4.0 | Y/A | 4.4 |
| 1.7 | TD/G | 0.9 |
Defense/Offense
| MSPST | Rushing | ILL |
|---|---|---|
| 41.6 | ATT | 34.5 |
| 214.5 | Y/G | 142.0 |
| 5.2 | Y/A | 4.1 |
| 1.9 | TD/G | 1.3 |
Special Teams
| MSPST | Special Teams | ILL |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | Punts-GM | 3.4 |
| 44.6 | Punt Avg | 42.3 |
| 1.1 | Kick Ret GM | 0.8 |
| 25.5 | Kick Ret Avg | 20.1 |
| 1.3 | Punt Ret GM | 2.1 |
| 11.1 | Punt Ret Avg | 12.8 |
Betting Trends
| MSPST | Betting Trends | ILL |
|---|---|---|
| OVERALL | OVERALL | |
| 2-1-0 | Win/Loss/Tie | 1-2-0 |
| 2-1-0 | ATS W/L/P | 2-1-0 |
| 33 | Avg Score | 27.33 |
| 24.67 | Avg Opp Score | 17.67 |
| AWAY | HOME | |
| 1-2-0 | Win/Loss/Tie | 1-2-0 |
| 1-2-0 | ATS W/L/P | 1-2-0 |
| 15.67 | Avg Score | 21.67 |
| 26.33 | Avg Opp Score | 22.67 |
| MSPST | Betting Trends | ILL |
|---|---|---|
| OVERALL | OVERALL | |
| 3-2-0 | Win/Loss/Tie | 2-3-0 |
| 2-3-0 | ATS W/L/P | 3-2-0 |
| 28.8 | Avg Score | 24.6 |
| 27.4 | Avg Opp Score | 17 |
| AWAY | HOME | |
| 2-3-0 | Win/Loss/Tie | 3-2-0 |
| 2-3-0 | ATS W/L/P | 2-3-0 |
| 20.4 | Avg Score | 21 |
| 25.4 | Avg Opp Score | 14.8 |
| MSPST | Betting Trends | ILL |
|---|---|---|
| OVERALL | OVERALL | |
| 6-4-0 | Win/Loss/Tie | 7-3-0 |
| 4-5-1 | ATS W/L/P | 7-3-0 |
| 30.4 | Avg Score | 24.7 |
| 25 | Avg Opp Score | 11.8 |
| AWAY | HOME | |
| 5-5-0 | Win/Loss/Tie | 6-4-0 |
| 6-4-0 | ATS W/L/P | 5-5-0 |
| 25.1 | Avg Score | 22.8 |
| 25.4 | Avg Opp Score | 14.1 |
Head to Head
Teams Last 10
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Mississippi State Bulldogs
Last time out, Mississippi State visited #20 Ole Miss and won the Egg Bowl 24-22. This game went back and forth as Mississippi State led 7-6 after the first quarter and Ole Miss led 16-14 at the half. No scoring happened in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs scored the first 10 points of the fourth quarter and that was enough for the win
Will Rogers went 27/39 for 239 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception on the night. Defensively, Mississippi State allowed 335 total yards and recovered one Ole Miss fumble.
Through 12 games, Mississippi State is scoring 32.7 points per game and gaining 393.2 yards, 314.3 through the air and 78.8 on the ground. Defensively, the Bulldogs allow 24.2 points and 350.3 yards, 206.8 passing and 143.6 rushing.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois concluded their regular season with a 41-3 blowout win at Northwestern. This game was over from the start as Illinois led 7-0 after the first quarter and 17-0 at the half. Illinois continued their hot start as they scored the first 34 points of the game. Northwestern was outmatched in all season long.
Tommy DeVito went 12/18 for 136 yards, zero touchdowns, one interception, and one touchdown on the ground. Illinois ran the ball 36 times for 156 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Defensively. Illinois allowed 321 total yards and forced six Northwestern turnovers, five interception and one recovered fumble.
After 12 games, Illinois is scoring 25.4 points per game and gaining 386.7 yards, 208.3 through the air and 178.3 on the ground. Defensively, the Fighting Illini allow 12.3 points and 263.8 yards, 165.4 passing and 98.4 rushing.
