Ohio State Buckeyes at Illinois Fighting Illini College Football Betting Preview

The Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0) found themselves ranked No. 4 in the first College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday. They have another chance to make a statement as they travel to face the Illinois Fighting Illini (2-3) this weekend in Big Ten action. The Saturday, November 28 game kicks off at Noon ET on FS1 from Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.

These teams don’t meet annually anymore as they are in opposite divisions but Ohio State has won all nine matchups since an Illinois upset in 2007. Overall the Buckeyes lead 68-30-4 and they have won 11 straight in Champaign dating back to a 10-7 Illinois win in 1991.

Ohio State Betting Outlook: Don’t Let Up

In betting with us at www.PayPerHead247.com the Buckeyes are 2-2 ATS this season and the over is 2-1-1 in their four games. They blew a big lead and failed to cover against Indiana last week in a 42-35 win. The Buckeyes offense ranks eighth in the nation in total yards (535.3 ypg) and seventh in scoring (45.3 ppg) while the defense is 12th best against the run (98.5 ypg).

Quarterback Justin Fields dropped to third in the Heisman odds race at +400 after turning the ball over three times against Indiana. On the season he has completed 80% of his passes for 1,208 yards with 13 touchdowns and three interceptions in four games.

The Buckeyes use a running back by committee and ride the hot back. Last week that was Master Teague III who had 169 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries while Fields added 78 yards and a touchdown. Teague has 380 yards and six scores on the season while Trey Sermon has 232 yards rushing.

Wide receiver Garrett Wilson had seven catches for 169 yards and two scores against Indiana while Chris Olave had eight catches for 101 yards. Wilson leads the Buckeyes with 31 catches for 513 yards while Olave has 26 catches for 389 yards. Both wideouts have four touchdown catches while tight end Jeremy Ruckert has three.

Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Outlook: Stop the Run

Betting with us at www.PayPerHead247.com the Illini are 3-2 ATS and the under is 3-2 in their five games. They beat Nebraska outright last week on the road as a 17-point underdog and have covered in both of their wins. The Illini are 20th in the nation rushing the ball (222.4 ypg) but 101st in scoring (21.8 ppg) and the defense ranks in the bottom third in points allowed (32 ppg), rushing yards allowed (194.6 ypg) and total yards allowed (448.2 ypg).

Quarterback Brandon Peters returned from the COVID list and stabilized the Illini offense Saturday at Nebraska. He threw for 205 yards and a touchdown while two Illini running backs went over the century mark. Mike Epstein ran for 113 and a score while Chase Brown had 110 yards and two touchdowns.

The Illini have played four quarterbacks this season with Peters tallying 292 yards and Coran Taylor has 379 yards. Quarterback Isaiah Williams ran for 192 yards and threw for 104 in the win over Rutgers.

Brown leads the Illini with 357 yards and 61 carries on the season. He has two touchdowns while Epstein has 338 yards and four touchdowns.

Against Nebraska wideout Josh Imatorbhebhe had four catches for 71 yards and a touchdown while Donny Navarro had five catches for 58 yards. Imatorbhebhe leads the team with 15 catches for 215 yards and two scores while tight end Daniel Barker has 12 catches for 174 yards.

Ohio State Buckeyes at Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Line

Head to our favorite pay per head bookie site at www.PayPerHead247.com where the Buckeyes are favored by 28 points with a total of 70.5 points.

Betting Analysis

This is a great matchup for Ohio State as they run the ball well and the Illini cannot stop the run. Defending the pass has been an issue for the Buckeyes but the Illini are 113th in the nation in passing the ball and when they do they tend to turn it over. It’s all about style points now for the Buckeyes so look for them to run it up if given the chance.

Free Pick By Gameadvisers: Buckeyes -28.0 (-110)