College Football Picks: Illinois vs Duke Best Bets
Kick off the 2025 college football season with a BetMGM bonus code featuring a Bonus Bet offer of up to $1,500! RotoWire has plenty of college football betting tools and info to keep you in the loop this season. From the latest college football odds to college football futures and Heisman odds, we have you covered.
Illinois and Duke breezed through their opening games against weak opponents, so our outlooks for both teams are a little cloudy. Both teams had some hiccups in Week 1, as Duke's defense had some issues against Elon, and Luke Altmeyer's offense was still adjusting to the massive losses they incurred in their wideout room. Both squads will need to face stiffer opponents to prove themselves, and this Week 2 matchup will go a long way toward getting a clear picture of how these teams will fare this season. Both programs are underdogs in their respective conferences, and they'll both need quality FBS wins to boost their resumes for the season. Blowouts against FCS opponents can boost the ego, but now it's time for both teams to get down to business.
Illinois vs Duke Betting Odds for Week 2
Spread: Illinois -2.5 (DraftKings Sportsbook), Duke +2.5 (FanDuel Sportsbook)
Total: Over 48.5 (DraftKings Sportosbiook), Under 49.5 (ESPN Bet Sportsbook)
Moneyline: Illinois -130 (DraftKings Sportsbook), Duke +120 (BetMGM)
There hasn't been much movement for this game. The money line has fluctuated slightly, and late money seems to be flowing Duke's way as Saturday approaches. I wouldn't be surprised to see the spread go as high as four points before kickoff.
Get a piece of the action during the 2025 college football season with a DraftKings Promo Code for $300 instantly on a $5 bet!
Illinois vs Duke Betting Picks for Week 2
While the Blue Devils showed some weakness against the run in Week 1, they have a very talented secondary that could cause some problems for the Illini. This is a game that the Blue Devils think they can win, and the home atmosphere is a nice variable in Duke's favor. Illinois roared to a 10-3 record last season behind a balanced offense and a disciplined group that made few mistakes. Illinois' first game wasn't a suitable test to prove that they can replicate last season's success, but the defense played much better than Duke's unit, which struggled in the first half against Elon. There's no question that the Illini have the better football pedigree and should be bigger favorites in this matchup, but the excitement around Duke QB Darian Mensah's performance is probably the root cause for the lower number. This game has all the makings of a trappy spot due to Illinois' national profile, and I believe this game will come down to the fourth quarter. It's one reason why I am shying away from the spread and taking the straight-up winner. The vig isn't bad and not much different from what I'd get by laying points.
Illinois vs Duke Expert Pick: Illinois ML -130 (DraftKings Sportsbook)
Be sure to dig into the latest sportsbook promos available at the best online sportsbooks to get the most bang for your buck during the 2025 college football season. The Caesars Sportsbook promo code ROTO20X allows fans to double their winnings on their next 20 bets after placing a $1 bet!
Duke vs Illinois Predictions for Week 2
The key to an Illinois victory will be finding a way to contain Darian Mensah. Duke's wideout room was upgraded via transfers Andrel Anthony and Cooper Barkate in the offseason, and both players made immediate impacts in Week 1. Luckily for the Illini, safeties Xavier Scott and Mies Scott will be ready to contain the threat, and the rest of the secondary is loaded. The defensive line is also strong enough to stuff Duke's run game, and although Meisah and his crew looked good against Elon, they could quickly wilt against a stiffer defense. Luke Altmeyer is a great game manager, but he'll need to take a step forward and be a bit more assertive to take his team to the next level. Aidan Laughery and Kaden Fegin will heavily test Duke's defensive front, and I believe the Illini's stout rushing attack will be the difference-maker in this matchup. Long mistake-free drives with a run-based focus will keep Duke's defense on the field and eventually exhaust them, leading to a late explosion of points for Illinois.
