Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Lines & Preview | NCAAFB Reliaquest Bowl

The Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Illinois Fighting Illini will meet for the Reliaquest Bowl. The bowl matchup is January 2, 2023, starting at 12:00 PM ET, airing on ESPN2.

The Bulldogs are favored, but by less than a field goal (-1), versus the Fighting Illini. The over/under for this matchup is 46.5 points.

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Game Info and Betting Lines for Mississippi State vs. Illinois

• Game Day: Monday, January 2, 2023
• Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
• TV Channel: ESPN2
• Location: Tampa, Florida
• Stadium: Raymond James Stadium

Mississippi State Betting Insights

• Illinois is 8-4-0 ATS this year.
• Illinois has a 3-0 record against the spread this year when an underdog by 1 point or more.
• Five of Illinois’ 12 games with a set total have hit the over (41.7%).

Mississippi State Stats & Insights

• Mississippi State is averaging 393.2 yards per game offensively this season (61st in the FBS), and are surrendering 350.3 yards per game (39th) on defense.
• Mississippi State is totaling 32.7 points per game on offense, which ranks them 36th in the FBS. On defense, the defense ranks 50th, surrendering 24.2 points per game.
• Mississippi State ranks 39th in pass defense this year (206.8 passing yards allowed per game), but has been shining on offense, ranking 11th-best in the FBS with 313.4 passing yards per game.
• Mississippi State has been a bottom-25 run offense this season, ranking third-worst with 79.8 rushing yards per game. On the defensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs are ranked 57th in the FBS (143.5 rushing yards allowed per game).
• Mississippi State is averaging a 38.9% third-down percentage offensively this season (74th in the FBS), and is giving up a 33.9% third-down conversion rate (28th) on defense.
• Mississippi State owns the 33rd-ranked turnover margin in college football at +4, forcing 20 turnovers (21st in the FBS) while turning it over 16 times (59th in the FBS).

Mississippi State’s Best Players

• Will Rogers has thrown for 3,702 yards (308.5 ypg) to lead Mississippi State, completing 68% of his passes and collecting 34 touchdown passes compared to six interceptions this season.
• Jo’quavious Marks has 532 rushing yards on 103 carries with nine touchdowns. He’s also added 45 catches for 274 yards (24.9 per game).
• This season, Dillon Johnson has carried the ball 90 times for 499 yards (49.9 per game) and three touchdowns, while also racking up 274 yards through the air.
• Rara Thomas’ leads his squad with 626 yards as a receiver. He’s racked up that yardage on 44 receptions (out of zero targets) and scored seven touchdowns.
• Rufus Harvey has grabbed 50 passes while averaging 39.3 yards per game and scoring three touchdowns.
• Caleb Ducking has racked up 44 grabs for 467 yards, an average of 38.9 yards per game. He’s scored eight times as a receiver this season.
• Tyrus Wheat has five sacks to pace the team, and also has seven TFL, 47 tackles, and one interception.
• Nathaniel Watson is the team’s top-tackler this year. He’s picked up 97 tackles, eight TFL, four sacks, and one interception.
• Emmanuel Forbes leads the team with six interceptions, while also collecting 36 tackles and 10 passes defended.

Illinois Betting Insights

• Illinois’ ATS record is 8-4-0 this season.
• In games it has played as at least 1-point underdogs this season, Illinois is 3-0 against the spread.
• Out of Illinois’ 12 games with a set total, five have hit the over (41.7%).

Illinois Stats & Insights

• Illinois’ defense has been paving the way for the team, as it ranks second-best in the FBS with 263.8 total yards ceded per game. In terms of offense, it is posting 386.8 total yards per game, which ranks 67th.
• Illinois has been thriving on defense, surrendering just 12.3 points per contest (best). On offense, it ranks 84th by putting up 25.4 points per game.
• Illinois’ pass defense has been paving the way for the team, as it ranks fifth-best in the FBS with 165.4 passing yards surrendered per game. In terms of offense, it is posting 208.1 passing yards per game, which ranks 94th.
• Illinois has been thriving on run defense, allowing just 98.4 rushing yards per contest (eighth-best). On offense, it ranks 46th in the FBS by compiling 178.8 rushing yards per game.
• Illinois’ third-down defense has been leading the way for the team, as it ranks sixth-best in the FBS with a 29.0% third-down conversion rate allowed. In terms of offense, it is compiling a 38.9% third-down rate, which ranks 74th.
• Illinois has accumulated 29 forced turnovers this season and have turned the ball over 15 times, leading to a +14 turnover margin, which ranks second-best in the FBS.

Illinois’ Best Players

• Tommy DeVito has compiled 2,394 yards on 69.8% passing while recording 15 touchdown passes with four interceptions this season.
• The team’s top rusher, Chase Brown, has carried the ball 328 times for 1,643 yards (136.9 per game) with 10 touchdowns. He’s also caught 27 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns.
• Reggie Love III has piled up 59 carries and totaled 277 yards with two touchdowns.
• Isaiah Williams has registered 72 catches this season and his team-high yardage total sits at 595 (49.6 yards per game). He’s been targeted zero times and has five touchdowns.
• Brian Hightower has put together a 452-yard season so far with two touchdowns. He’s caught 37 passes on zero targets.
• Pat Bryant’s zero targets have resulted in 33 receptions for 450 yards and two touchdowns.
• Seth Coleman has collected five sacks to pace the team, while also recording five TFL and 43 tackles.
• Illinois’ leading tackler, Isaac Darkangelo, has 67 tackles, seven TFL, and one sack this year.
• Sydney Brown has picked off a team-leading six passes. He also has 66 tackles, three TFL, one sack, and 12 passes defended to his name.