Bodog Beat

Rich Rodriguez and the Wolverines take on Illinois this weekend. (AP Images)

The bubble has burst on the Illinois Fighting Illini (2-2 SU, 1-2 ATS). After narrowly beating UL-Lafayette (+25) by a field goal, Illinois lost its Big Ten opener at Penn State, 38-24. The Illini players and fans probably won’t take solace from cashing in as 15-point underdogs.

Michigan (2-2 SU, 1-3 ATS) is also coming off its first payday of the season, but it comes in happier circumstances: a 27-25 win over Wisconsin (-4.5). Now the Wolverines are laying three points in Saturday’s matchup with Illinois at the Big House.

The final score of the Wolverines-Badgers game disguises the fact that Michigan went into the locker room down 19-0. It’ll take more than two good quarters to prove that Michigan is picking up coach Rich Rodriguez’ spread offense, not to mention capable of hanging onto the football. West Virginia was 3-8 (4-7 ATS) during Rodriguez’ 2001 debut in Morgantown. Get all your NCAA College Football Odds in the Bodog Sportsbook today!