Illinois Fighting Illini @ Duke Blue Devils Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 9/6/2025 12:00 PM EDT

We have your Illinois Fighting Illini @ Duke Blue Devils prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Illinois Fighting Illini hit the road to face the Duke Blue Devils.

Illinois Fighting Illini @ Duke Blue Devils Pick

Best Moneyline Odds: Illinois Fighting Illini -150 on FanDuel | Duke Blue Devils +130 on Caesars
Best Spread Odds: Illinois Fighting Illini -2.5 (-120) on ESPN BET | Duke Blue Devils +3.0 (-110) on Caesars
Best Total Odds: Over 49.5 (-110) on Caesars | Under 50.5 (-115) on ESPN BET

Game Info

Date: September 6, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM EDT
Location: Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC
TV: ESPN

Illinois Fighting Illini @ Duke Blue Devils Preview

The Duke Blue Devils, coming off a 45-17 victory over Elon in their season opener, will host the No. 12-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini in a pivotal early-season matchup. Duke's new quarterback, Darian Mensah, showcased his potential with 389 passing yards and three touchdowns against Elon, though the Blue Devils experienced a slow start, entering halftime tied 10-10 before a dominant second-half performance. Coach Manny Diaz will be looking for a more consistent offensive rhythm from the outset against a formidable Illinois squad.

The Illinois Fighting Illini also started their season strong, securing a 52-3 win against Western Illinois. Quarterback Luke Altmyer was efficient, completing 17 of 21 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Aidan Laughery added to the offensive firepower with 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries. Illinois' defense, a noted strength, is led by All-Big10 edge rusher Gabe Jacas, who recorded two sacks in the opener, and a bolstered defensive line featuring three high-end transfers. This unit limited Western Illinois to just 29 rushing yards.

Despite playing at home, the betting markets are not giving Duke much love, with Illinois opening as a 2.5-point favorite. While ESPN's FPI projects a slight edge for Duke with a 50.6% chance of winning, Vegas oddsmakers have pegged the Blue Devils as underdogs. Duke's ability to establish a consistent running game and Mensah's performance under pressure against Illinois' strong defensive front will be key. Illinois, meanwhile, will look to exploit Duke's pass protection, which was an area of concern for the Illini last season, though they return five starters on the offensive line. The absence of Illinois cornerback Jaheim Clarke due to a hamstring issue could also present an opportunity for Duke's passing game.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

No historic head-to-head data between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Duke Blue Devils was found in the provided research.

Pick: Illinois Fighting Illini -2.5

The Illinois Fighting Illini enter this contest as the No. 12-ranked team for good reason. Their Week 1 performance against Western Illinois demonstrated a balanced and potent offense, with quarterback Luke Altmyer showing efficiency and running back Aidan Laughery providing explosive plays on the ground. More critically, Illinois' defense appears to be a dominant force, particularly their defensive line, which stifled Western Illinois' rushing attack and generated significant pressure. This defensive strength, combined with the return of key offensive line starters, suggests Illinois is well-equipped to handle Duke's aggressive schemes.

While Duke showed resilience in their Week 1 win, their slow start and inconsistent running game against an FCS opponent raise concerns against a top-tier Big Ten team. The betting market's lean towards Illinois, despite Duke's home-field advantage, further reinforces the perception of Illinois as the stronger team. Covering a modest -2.5 spread seems well within reach for an Illinois team that appears to be firing on all cylinders early in the season, especially given their defensive capabilities against a Duke offense that struggled to find rhythm in the first half of their opener.