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Missouri vs Illinois College Football Picks, Predictions & Odds: A retooled Tigers team heads into the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri this afternoon to take on a reloaded Illinois squad. Head Coach Gary Pinkel's club has beaten the Fighting Illini the last four times the two schools have met, but odds makers are envisoning a different outcome today. Online bookmaker Sportsbook.com has Illinois listed as a -6.5 against the spread favorite in today's game.

The Missouri Tigers enter today's contest after having won the Big 12's North division the past two seasons. However, a great deal of talent from those two teams has moved on, including quarterback Chase Daniel, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, tight end Chase Coffman, defensive lineman Ziggy Hood, and safety William Moore. Only nine starters and 34 lettermen are back for Pinkel.

The Tigers still have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, though, and should have enough speed to hang with Illinois. Sophomore quarterback Blanie Gabbert is an unknown commodity, but he was highly recruited and has impressed in spring practice. Gabbert will also be able to lean on junior running back Derrick Washington, who ran for 1036 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2008.

Defensively, Missouri has one of the most talented players in the country and arguably the best linebacker in the FBS in Sean Weatherspoon. Weatherspoon lead the nation in tackles last year with 155; he also had five sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, and three interceptions.

Illinois returns 13 starters and 46 lettermen from last year's 5-7 team. Leading the way for the Fighting Illini is senior quarterback Juice Williams. Williams threw for 3173 yards (57.5 completion percentage), 22 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions a season ago. He also led the team in rushing with 719 yards (5 touchdowns, 4.1 yards per carry).

Ron Zook brings back five starters from a defense that allowed 26.6 points and 350 yards per game last year. The top two tacklers and the top two pass rushers from 2008 are gone, but the returning depth should make for a respectable unit.

Today's "Bragging Rights" game is set to kick off at 3:40pm ET on ESPN.

Sportsbook.com Missouri vs Illinois College Football Picks, Predictions & Odds:

Missouri Tigers +6.5 (-105), Over 60.5 (-110), +215 (Moneyline)

Illinois Fighting Illini -6.5 (-105), Under 60.5 (-110), -255 (Moneyline)

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