Prop Betting with Illinois vs. the Chicago Bears Head-to-Head

As you may know by now, the good folks at college football with their geographical counterparts from the NFL. Cute, but also an opportunity to win some bucks. One of these is particularly intriguing, as it pits the Chicago bears against its neighbors to the south, the Fighting Illini of the University of Illinois.

Here are the odds according to BetUS:

BetUS Football Proposition Odds

Who Will Have the Most Regular Season Wins?

CHICAGO BEARS +1 win -200

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI -1 win +150

The University of Illinois starts the 2008 season very optimistic, and with good reason. This team went to the Rose Bowl last season and loses 24 lettermen, but they do bring back 13 starters, including superstar defensive back Vontae Davis and many others who are appearing on pre-season all-conference teams. Coach Ron Zook has done a great job in recruiting, which is why Illinois is going to maintain its high level of play even after a certain amount of attrition.

One of the losses was big - Rashard Mendenhall, who ran wild in the Rose Bowl and was drafted in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. But there are two skill players for the Illini who should show further progress - wide receiver Aurrelious Benn, who was the Big Ten freshman of the year, and Juice Williams, a dual threat who completed just 39.5% of his passes as a frosh but improved that to 57% last season.

We know that the Big Ten is heavy at the top with teams like Missouri. That's a tough one.

I have written extensively about the Bears and their problems. What it amounts to this year is a choice at quarterback between Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton, which is like having to pick between Freddy Krueger and Quasimodo in a beauty contest.

With the running game a work in progress at best, there is the distinct possibility that Chicago will overtax its defense again, a factor that led to this team ranking 28th in yards allowed in 2007. And though Devin Hester is an acknowledged ace in the return game, I would look for him to have minimal impact on the offensive side of the ball in 2008.

Yes, the Bears are in a division that presents possibilities, especially as the Packers are without Brett Favre and the Vikings and Lions will no doubt have quarterback issues. But their own issues are a bigger problem. I see them struggling to get to seven wins, if that. Meanwhile, with the kind of talent they have on hand, I see Illinois overcoming the loss of Mendenhall and easily getting to the eight-win mark. We'll lay that one win with the college guy in the BetUS football proposition betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: ILLINOIS -1 win (+150)

(Charles Jay of www.ebookies.com is a University of Miami graduate who remains neutral when it comes to picking winners. He is also a regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room)