161 Missouri 7.0 (-115) Bodog vs 162 Illinois

Analysis: I've been looking hard at this game for some time now. Honestly at the outset when I saw the opening line I felt it was the year Illinois finally get's it done against Mizzou. The Tigers lost a ton of talent to graduation and the NFL, not the least being of course QB Chase Daniel. After attending several practices and scrimmages I have come to the conclusion that Blaine Gabbert will be a better quarterback than Daniel was. I expect to see Mizzou present a more balanced attack this year and the Tigers have a backs to carry it off, led by junior Derrick Washington. Illinois is off a 5-7 season and 3-5 in the Big 10 and senior signal caller Juice Williams is exciting to watch, he's a playmaker to be sure. Mizzou head coach Gary Pinkel loves this team and the fact they are flying under the radar so radically on the national stage. According to Pinkel himself, who is ultra conservative about talking up his team, this is the fastest squad he has EVER had. He also feels the O-line is the most athletic he's ever lead into battle. I'm no homer and my past clients fully realize that. I will go against Mizzou and not think twice about it, done it more times than I can count. But not here and not against a team that the Tigers have dominated in the past. I've observed this Tiger up close and personal for awhile now and they absolutely exude confidence and are carrying themselves with a swagger that I like to see. Opening games are always risky with all the unknowns but I am playing this game with confidence. I'd love to tag this a Triple Star guys but in my own personal view making a game a monster release right out of the gate is simply irresponsible and a cheap sales tactic. I'm not playing that game. I cannot go Triple Star on a new quarterback making his first start. But I love the fact we are getting, in my view the more athletic team with the most upside and dare I sayś the stronger conference and 7 points. Probably going against the grain here but I'll take the Missouri Tigers and the touchdown and run.