Michigan
Michigan vs. Illinois prediction: Week 8 CFB odds, picks, best bets
Michigan’s national title defense has been underwhelming this year and its 4-2 record is misleading.
The No. 24 Wolverines narrowly escaped against USC and Minnesota before losing to Washington.
Coming off a bye week, can coach Sheronne Moore right the ship with a road test against No. 22 Illinois?
We’ve seen a steady stream of Michigan money all week, moving this line from an opener of -1.5 for the Wolverines to the current -4.5.
Let’s dive in and see if there’s any value left in Saturday’s Big Ten matchup.
Michigan vs. Illinois odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | -4.5 (-108) | -185 | o44.5 (-108) |
| Illinois | +4.5 (-112) | +154 | u44.5 (-112) |
When Michigan has the ball
Moore won’t admit it publicly, but I fully believe he intended to name Jack Tuttle his starting quarterback this season. An offseason elbow injury, however, threw a wrench into those plans, and we didn’t see Tuttle until the second quarter against Washington.
Tuttle had an interception and a fumble in the game but it was his first live reps in nearly a year, and he’s a better downfield passer than Alex Orji or Davis Warren.
With the benefit of a bye week to get up to speed in the offense, I expect Tuttle to play a much cleaner game this week. Tight end Colston Loveland’s return to full health after missing the USC game will also be pivotal.
However, I don’t expect Tuttle to need to do a ton in this game. The Wolverines will bully an Illini run defense that ranks 105th in defensive line yards. Expect Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards to churn out chunk yardage, keeping Tuttle out of obvious passing situations on third-and-long.
When Illinois has the ball
Luke Altmyer has had a strong season under center for the Illini, averaging 8.6 yards per attempt and passing for 14 touchdowns to one interception.
However, according to Pro Football Focus, the former Ole Miss transfer is due for some negative regression with nine big-time throws to nine turnover-worthy plays.
Altmyer has especially struggled under pressure, with an 8.4% turnover-worthy play rate. According to PFF, Michigan has the best pass rush unit in the country and Illinois ranks just 93rd in pass-blocking.
Elite defensive linemen Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant and Josaiah Stewart can take this game over on passing downs.
It will be difficult for the Illini to avoid those obvious passing situations, as Michigan ranks third in the country in rushing success rate allowed and Illinois ranks 105th in rushing success rate on offense.
When the Illini faced Penn State, a similarly elite run defense, their running backs finished with 17 carries for just 62 yards (3.6 YPC).
Michigan vs. Illinois pick
It has to be mentioned that Illinois almost lost to Purdue last week. The Illini escaped with a one-point win in overtime, but the Boilermakers had a 69% postgame win expectancy.
This was the same Purdue team that lost to Wisconsin by 46 points the week prior and had not played within 17 points of an FBS opponent all season.
Coming off a bye week with an opportunity to get its third starting quarterback of the year up to speed, this looks like a solid buy-low point for the Wolverines.
Betting on College Football?
Michigan’s defense is by far the best unit on the field in this game, and I’m banking on Wink Martindale’s group putting constant pressure on Altmyer, especially with Illinois’ struggling run game.
I’d be surprised if Michigan’s passing attack performed on average for the rest of the season. Still, it might not need to this week, given the considerable advantage the Wolverines should have in the run game.
I’m backing Michigan as a road favorite in this spot against an overrated Illinois team primed to fall back down to earth.
Best bet: Michigan -3.5 (-115, BetMGM)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Jacob Wayne handicaps college football and the NFL for the New York Post. He’s up 84.5 units across the two sports with a 6.27% ROI.
The 2026 men’s basketball national championship game is set with Michigan vs. UConn.
And while the Huskies are going for their third national title in four years, it’s the Wolverines who enter Monday night’s final as the heavy favorite.
Michigan blasted Arizona on Saturday in a matchup of the remaining No. 1 seeds in what many thought would be the best game of the NCAA Tournament. It didn’t turn out that way, even with Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg dealing with an injury.
Michigan vs UConn spread, line: Who is favored to win national championship game?
Odds provided by BetMGM, as of 9:30 a.m., Sunday, April 5
- Moneyline: Michigan (-325); UConn (+260)
- Spread: Michigan (-7.5)
- Total over/under: 144.5
Michigan UConn prediction: Who will win national championship?
- Blake Toppmeyer: Michigan. The Wolverines’ total destruction of Arizona solidified that Michigan is the class of the tournament. UConn is playing well, but nobody is playing better than Michigan.
- Jordan Mendoza: Michigan. The Huskies are able to make it a competitive game, but Michigan is just too stacked. The Wolverines pull away midway through the second half and party like it’s 1989.
- Austin Curtright: Michigan. Michigan-Arizona was tabbed as one of the most-anticipated Final Four matchups in recent memory, and all the Wolverines did was dominate start to finish in a way no one has against the Wildcats this season. Michigan has defeated all of its 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament opponents by double digits, and finds a way to do so again against the Huskies, even with a potentially limited version of Yaxel Lendeborg.
- Ehsan Kassim: Michigan. Yes, this UConn team has been impressive in the past two rounds with a big comeback vs. Duke and then shut down Illinois’ offense. Michigan is another beast, as the Wolverines have been the most dominant team in the NCAA Tournament. They pull off the win to end a couple of droughts, even with Yaxel Lendeborg playing at less than 100%.
National championship game time
The national title game between Michigan and UConn is scheduled to tip at 8:50 p.m., Monday, April 6.
What channel will the national championship game be on? How to watch, streaming info?
Monday’s national title game is on TBS, TNT, truTV and available for streaming on HBO Max, which requires a subscription, or Sling TV, which carries TBS and truTV.
Indianapolis — If Michigan wants to play for a national championship, it might have to do so without its best player.
With 8:51 to play in the first half of a Final Four game against Arizona on Saturday night, Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg rolled his left ankle on a drive after he stepped on the foot of Arizona center Motiejus Krivas. After hitting two free throws, he subbed out of the game and headed down the tunnel with the help of a trainer.
Lendeborg’s pain showed immediately. After he got up from falling, he walked down the court, wincing, squatting to collect himself. He tied his shoes tighter to boos from some Arizona fans before hitting his foul shots. Then he walked to the bench, down the stairs, past concerned teammates, before heading off to be evaluated.
Arizona went on a 9-0 run after Lendeborg left the game.
Lendeborg returned to the Michigan bench, walking gingerly, with about six minutes left in the first half, but did not immediately return to the game. He then returned to the locker room before the end of the half.
Late in the first half, Tracy Wolfson on the TV broadcast reported that Lendeborg’s ankle would be iced with the Wolverines possibly getting their star back for the second half.
Lendeborg was the Big Ten Player of the Year and leads Michigan with 15.2 points per game, but he played just five minutes of the game against Arizona. In the span of 1:22, he picked up two defensive fouls and had to sub out, returning at 12:57 as the Wolverines led 19-10.
Lendeborg made a 3-pointer and hauled in a rebound before leaving the game with his injury.
cearegood@detroitnews.com
@ConnorEaregood
Michigan
Flooding reported across much of Mid-Michigan after heavy rainfall overnight, several roads impassable
LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Flooding is impacting many people across Mid-Michigan after heavy rainfall late Friday and into Saturday morning. News 10 Chief Meteorologist Darrin Rockcole says some areas of Mid-Michigan saw 1-2+ inches of rain. The Lansing area saw more rain overnight than those near Jackson and to the south.
Mid-Michigan is not out of the woods yet when it comes to rain for the rest of Saturday either, as explained in your latest First Alert Forecast. If you see flooding in your area, submit photos and videos to News 10 by clicking here.
Many major roadways are experiencing flooding, leading to several highways being shut down as water was over the roadway. Numerous flood warnings, watches and advisories are in effect across Mid-Michigan.
Here are the many reports of flooding from city and county officials across Mid-Michigan. This has led to the closing of roads across the area.
EATON COUNTY
SB I-69 just north of Potterville exit (66) was closed with water over the freeway.
Eaton County has canceled their outdoor siren test for Saturday due to the inclement weather.
Michigan State Police said on ‘X’ Saturday that numerous area roadways were flooded outside of the previously mentioned portion of I-69.
Traffic Alert! Eaton County: Due to the heavy rains in the area, southbound I-69 at Vermontville Hwy is flooded and impassable. Numerous other roads in the Eaton County area are also flooded. Troopers are reminding the public that if you do not have to go out right now, it might… pic.twitter.com/KcUzYIMOzK
— MSP First District (@MSPFirstDist) April 4, 2026
INGHAM COUNTY
I-496 was flooded between Waverly and Martin Luther King in Lansing, drivers were asked to avoid the area.
Potter Park Zoo: The zoo is closed Saturday as flooding is impacting Pennsylvania Ave in Lansing.
Ingham County has canceled its outdoor siren test for Saturday due to the inclement weather.
CITY OF LANSING
Traffic alert from the city: Reports of many streets flooded throughout Lansing. Please use caution while driving and do not attempt to drive through standing water.
CITY OF EAST LANSING
City Alert: Reports of streets flooded throughout the area and basements with backed up water. Use caution when driving. Do not attempt to drive through standing water. Check sump pumps for proper operation and monitor basements for signs of water.
CLINTON COUNTY
County siren test scheduled for Saturday has been canceled due to inclement weather. Next testing opportunity will be May 2, 2026 at noon.
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Be the first to see the Mid-Michigan headlines you care about – download the News 10 mobile app and subscribe to our News 10 newsletter and YouTube page to receive the latest local news and weather.
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