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Game analysis · college football

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Illinois Fighting Illini 20-17 Maryland Terrapins: Game Analysis & Model Review

A 20-17 win for the Illinois Fighting Illini over the Maryland Terrapins in college football, Saturday, October 31: the box score, the top performers and how Goalorithm's model called it.

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Published October 31, 2026 · By the Goalorithm model desk

Read the preview written before the game →

Game report

The Illinois Fighting Illini beat the Maryland Terrapins 20-17 in college football on Saturday, October 31, with the Illinois Fighting Illini winning by three points. The teams finished with 288 yards for the Maryland Terrapins and 407 for the Illinois Fighting Illini.

The numbers

The Maryland Terrapins had 190 net passing yards and 98 rushing yards; the Illinois Fighting Illini had 223 net passing yards and 184 rushing yards. The Maryland Terrapins finished with 2 turnovers, 17 first downs, 30:14 of possession and a 42.9% third-down conversion rate. The Illinois Fighting Illini finished with 1 turnover, 20 first downs, 29:46 of possession and a 36.4% third-down conversion rate.

Top performers

For the Maryland Terrapins, Malik Washington completed 19 of 29 passes for 190 yards, with an interception. DeJuan Williams ran for 57 yards on 19 carries, with a touchdown, while Chris Durr Jr. caught 6 passes for 58 yards. On defense, Messiah Delhomme had an interception; Sean O'Haire made 1 of 1 field goals.

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American footballPreview· college football

Clemson Tigers vs Florida State Seminoles Prediction & Preview

Clemson Tigers at Florida State Seminoles in college football, Saturday, October 31. Goalorithm's model makes a Florida State Seminoles win the likelier result at 66%. The preview covers the records and recent results.

Sat, Oct 31 · 7:00 PM ET

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Washington State Cougars vs San Diego State Aztecs Prediction & Preview

Washington State Cougars at San Diego State Aztecs in college football, Saturday, October 31. Goalorithm's model makes a San Diego State Aztecs win the likelier result at 63%. The preview covers the records and recent results.

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For the Illinois Fighting Illini, Katin Houser completed 18 of 32 passes for 223 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. Javari Barnett ran for 80 yards on 6 carries, with a touchdown, while Collin Dixon caught 6 passes for 103 yards. On defense, Tanner Heckel had an interception; Ethan Moczulski made 2 of 3 field goals.

How the model called it

Goalorithm's pregame chances were estimates, not certainties: the model gave the Maryland Terrapins 39.5% and the Illinois Fighting Illini 60.5%. The model's favorite was the Illinois Fighting Illini to win, and the model's favorite won. The model had the Illinois Fighting Illini by 3.5 points, and they won by three points, less than projected.

See every number for this game in the Game Center →

How this was written: an AI writer drafts the words from Goalorithm's own data. Every figure is filled in from our model and game records, never by the writer, and nothing we don't hold is guessed. Probabilities are model estimates, not certainties.

For informational/entertainment purposes only — not betting or financial advice. 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

college football

Maryland Terrapins vs Illinois Fighting Illini

Sat, Oct 31 · 12:00 PM ET

Final

17–20

The model before the game

Maryland Terrapins
39.5%
Illinois Fighting Illini
60.5%

The model's favourite won.

The numbers

Maryland TerrapinsStatisticIllinois Fighting Illini
2turnovers1
17first downs20
288total yards407
98rushing yards184
190net passing yards223
30:14time of possession29:46
42.9%third-down conversion rate36.4%
Open the Game Center

Sat, Oct 31 · 7:00 PM ET

American footballPreview· college football

Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Iowa State Cyclones Prediction & Preview

Oklahoma State Cowboys at Iowa State Cyclones in college football, Saturday, October 31. Goalorithm's model makes an Oklahoma State Cowboys win the likelier result at 71%. The preview covers the records and recent results.

Sat, Oct 31 · 7:00 PM ET

American footballPreview· college football

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs Pittsburgh Panthers Prediction & Preview

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Pittsburgh Panthers in college football, Saturday, October 31. Goalorithm's model makes a Pittsburgh Panthers win the likelier result at 87%. The preview covers the records and recent results.

Sat, Oct 31 · 7:30 PM ET