Illinois Fighting Illini defeat Maryland Terrapins 20-17: Recap, Betting Results & AiQ Picks
Sat, Oct 31, 2026 · NCAAF · Illinois Fighting Illini 20, Maryland Terrapins 17
The Illinois Fighting Illini beat the Maryland Terrapins 20-17 on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at SECU Stadium. The Illinois Fighting Illini covered the spread as 2.5-point favorites. The game went under the closing total of 54, with 37 points combined. AiQ's moneyline pick in this game won.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Maryland Terrapins final score and game recap
The Maryland Terrapins led 7-0 after the first quarter. It was 7-7 at halftime. The Illinois Fighting Illini outscored the Maryland Terrapins 13-10 in the second half.
The leading performers, from the box score:
- Katin Houser (Illinois Fighting Illini): 18/32 passing for 223 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception.
- Collin Dixon (Illinois Fighting Illini): 6 catches for 103 yards.
- Malik Washington (Maryland Terrapins): 19/29 passing for 190 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 interception.
- DeJuan Williams (Maryland Terrapins): 19 carries for 57 yards, 1 rushing touchdown.
Who covered the spread in Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Maryland Terrapins?
The Illinois Fighting Illini covered the spread as 2.5-point favorites, winning by 3 points.
The spread opened and closed at Illinois Fighting Illini -2.5.
Did Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Maryland Terrapins go over or under the total?
The game went under: 37 points combined against a closing total of 54, under by 17. 14 of the 37 points came in the first half.
The total opened at 54.5 and closed at 54.
How did AiQ's Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Maryland Terrapins predictions do?
AiQ's moneyline pick in this game won.
- Moneyline: the Illinois Fighting Illini to win at -135, a win (+$74.07 on a $100 bet).
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Maryland Terrapins game prop results: team totals, first half and first quarter
AiQ does not pick game props. This is how the sportsbook markets settled.
- Illinois Fighting Illini team total 27.5: the under, paying -104, with 20 scored.
- Maryland Terrapins team total 25.5: the under, paying -113, with 17 scored.
- First-half moneyline: the first half was tied, so bets were refunded.
- First-quarter moneyline: Maryland Terrapins won the first quarter, paying +110.
- First-half total 27.5: the under, paying -115, with 14 points scored.
- First-quarter total 10.5: the under, paying -130, with 7 points scored.
- First-half spread: Maryland Terrapins +1.5 covered, paying -112.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Maryland Terrapins odds: sportsbook value and line movement
Shortly before the start, the consensus moneyline had the Illinois Fighting Illini at -140 and the Maryland Terrapins at +118. With the bookmaker's margin removed, that made the Illinois Fighting Illini a 56% favorite. The Illinois Fighting Illini won as the favorite at -140: $71.43 profit on a $100 bet. On AiQ's moneyline pick, the Illinois Fighting Illini, the best price before the game was -134 at Caesars: priced below fair (−2.8% value).
The total moved down from 54.5 to 54, and the game went under.
Illinois Fighting Illini and Maryland Terrapins betting trends: 2026 season
This result left the Illinois Fighting Illini 5-3 in the 2026 regular season (3-2 at home, 2-1 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 4 of 8 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 5 times and under 3 times. That made it three straight wins for the Illinois Fighting Illini.
This result left the Maryland Terrapins 2-6 in the 2026 regular season (1-4 at home, 1-2 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 2 of 7 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 5 times and under 2 times. That made it six straight losses for the Maryland Terrapins.
What's next for Illinois Fighting Illini and Maryland Terrapins?
Next for the Illinois Fighting Illini: the Nebraska Cornhuskers at home on Friday, November 6, 2026. Next for the Maryland Terrapins: at the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday, November 7, 2026.