Illinois Chicago at Illinois State

These in-state rival teams have met just one time since 2010, and it has been a series dominated by Illinois State having won all six meetings since 2005, and covered all of them. This may be the opportunity the Flames have been waiting for, as the Red Birds have covered just two of their last seven, and have had issues on the offensive end where they have shot 44% or less in each of their last six games. The Flames have shown steady improvement, covering two of their last three, but more importantly, they have not allowed any of those three opponents to connect on 42% or more. We have a bad offense vs. a team locking up on the defensive end and getting a bundle of points will have me siding with the dog. Play the points on Illinois-Chicago.