Mississippi State vs Illinois Game Info
2022 NCAA College Football Game – ReliaQuest Bowl
No. 22 Mississip pi State Bulldogs (8-4) vs.'Illinois Fighting Illini (8-4)
Date:'Monday, Jan. 2, 2023
Time:'12 p.m. ET
Venue:'Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, FL
Coverage:'Big Ten Network
The 2022 NCAA college football bowl game matchups have been revealed, including the ReliaQuest Bowl between the No. 2 Mississippi State Bulldogs and Illinois Fighting Illini.
Mississippi State has momentum on its side after prevailing for the third time in its last four games with a 24-22 win against ranked Ole Miss on Nov. 24. Illinois also tasted success in its last outing, picking up a 41-3 blowout victory over Northwestern, ending a three-game skid in the process.
Can Mississippi State leave Raymond James Stadium with the victory? Or will Illinois figure out how to achieve its first bowl victory in over a decade?
Mississippi State vs Illinois Odds & Spread
Moneyline:'MSST: (+112) | ILL: (-134)
Spread:'MSST: +2.5 (-110) | ILL: -2.5 (-110)
Total:'46.5 -'Over: (-105) | Under: (-115)
Illinois enters this contest as a slight favorite on the spread and moneyline. This ReliaQuest Bowl clash also features a total of 46.5, which is just bel ow average compared to this year's bowl games.
Mississippi State vs Illinois Prediction & Pick
I really like Mississippi State in this matchup, especially after its win over Ole Miss (ranked No. 20 at the time), proving that the former can handle some of the better competition. It's hard to say the same about Illinois, especially after three losses in its last four games with the only win in that stretch coming against the 1-11 Northwestern Wildcats.
Even with the Fighting Illini's strong defense, they're beatable through the air. They allow over 80 more passing yards in road and neutral site games (219.8) tha n they do at home (139.5). That might not be an eye-popping total, but it gives the Bulldogs' offense more than enough to work with after averaging 32.6 completions (No. 1) and 310.9 passing yards (No. 11) this fall.
Illinois has also been outscored 70-38 in its last two bowl games, having not won in over a decade. With Mississippi State having won the Armed Forces Bowl just two years ago and going 10-5 in its last 15 bowl outings, it's easy to see that the Bulldogs are capable of pulling off an upset to kick off 2023.
Final Score Prediction:'Mississippi State: 24 | Illinois: 21
Mississippi State vs Illinois B etting Trends
– Mississippi State is 2-4 against the spread (ATS) in its last six games.
– Illinois is 7-3 straight up in its last 10 games.
– The total has hit the over in five of Mississippi State's last six games as the favorite.
– The total has hit the under in 13 of Illinois' last 20 games.
Mississippi State vs Illinois Best Bet
Again, Illinois hasn't shown lately that it's capable of capitalizing on its status as the favorite. A blowout win over lowly Northwestern is hardly impre ssive, whereas Mississippi State has looked strong lately, especially after beating Ole Miss.
With the Bulldogs not exactly being trustworthy on the spread (2-4 ATS in last six games), an outright bet makes much more sense here. Back Mississippi State at (+112) on the moneyline.