Texas Bowl: Illinois Fighting Illini (6-6) vs. Baylor Bears (7-5)
Date: Wednesday, December 29th, 2010
Location: Houston, Texas
Time: 6:00 p.m. EST
On the same day as the Military Bowl, Illinois and Baylor square off in the Texas Bowl. The last time Illinois was in a bowl game was 2008. Baylor hasn’t played in one since 1994 and notched its first winning season since 1995 this year. Things aren’t much better for the Fighting Illini, putting up eight losing seasons since 1999. They are led by junior running back Mikel Leshoure, who topped the Big Ten with 1,513 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. But, the defense allowed 24.3 points per game this year and Baylor’s offense ranks seventh in the country at 315.5 yards per game.
Baylor sophomore quarterback Robert Griffin III struggled late in the season against some quality teams, but is surrounded by talent. Senior running back Jay Finley ran for 1,155 yards, good enough for second all-time on Baylor’s single-season rushing list. Four receivers have at least 40 catches, but the defense is an issue, allowing more than 40 points six times this season. In other words, expect a shootout.
My Pick: This should be a close one with little defense. If Illinois can establish the run early, I expect them to win. My college football bet is Illinois to squeak out a 37-34 victory.
Money Line (odds provided by Party Bets)
Illinois: 1/1
Baylor: 5/6
Point Spread: Baylor -1.5
Over/Under: 62.5