Saturday features a battle of Big Ten rivals as the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0) will take on the Illinois Fighting Illini (2-3). Illinois will host this one from Memorial Stadium in Champaign, IL. Kickoff is at noon ET.
The Buckeyes come into this one having won four straight, including a 42-35 win over the No. 12 Indiana Hoosiers last Saturday. In that victory, Justin Fields led the way throwing for 300 yards and two touchdowns, but he did throw three interceptions. Master Teague led the way on the ground with 169 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
After a rough start to the season, the Illini have won two straight games, including a 23-20 win over Rutgers and a 41-23 win over Nebraska. In the win last weekend over the Cornhuskers, Brandon Peters returned after a COVID-19 diagnosis to throw for 205 yards and a touchdown while running for 36 yards and another score.
Despite being the road team, Ohio State is the overwhelming favorite in this one. They are currently -3000 to win while Illinois’ Moneyline is +1120. The spread features Illinois +27.5, and the over/under for total points is 71.5.
By The Numbers
In terms of scoring, Ohio State is one of the top teams in the nation. They currently rank 4th overall averaging 45.2 points per game. Illinois falls to 100th overall averaging just 21.8 points per game.
Defensively, it is once again Ohio State who holds the edge. They currently rank 44th allowing 26 points per game to opponents. Illinois ranks 82nd overall, allowing 32 points per game.
Ohio State Looking To Stay Unbeaten
Ohio State has surged out to a strong start this season and will look to keep it going against an inconsistent Illinois team on Saturday.
To do so, they will rely on their star quarterback, Justin Fields. On the season, Fields has thrown for 1,208 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. He has also rushed 42 times for 135 yards and another three scores.
The leading rusher for Ohio State has been Master Teague III. This season, he has rushed three times for 380 yards and six touchdowns. Trey Sermon has also done well in a backup role, rushing 45 times for 232 yards.
Garrett Wilson (31 receptions, 513 yards, four touchdowns) and Chris Olave (26 receptions, 389 yards, four touchdowns) have been Fields’ best options through the air.
Illinois Looking To Stay Hot
Illinois has won two games in a row as underdogs and is looking to do it again on Saturday. While they haven’t played a team to the Buckeyes caliber, they still come into this one with some momentum.
It also helps to get their starting quarterback, Brandon Peters, back from the COVID list. In his place, Coran Taylor had been manning the position. He had thrown for 379 yards and three touchdowns while throwing just a couple of interceptions.
On the ground, the Illini have a two-headed monster in Chase Brown and Mike Epstein. Brown has rushed 61 times for 357 yards and two scores, while Epstein has rushed 55 times for 338 yards and four touchdowns.
Josh Imatorbhebhe has led the way receiving for the Illini with 15 catches for 215 yards and two scores. Tight end Daniel Barker has also done well with 12 receptions for 174 yards.
Ohio State Wins, But Can They Cover?
The Illini’s win streak will end at two as the Ohio State Buckeyes will win this one. The big question, though, is whether they can also cover the large 27.5-point spread.
The Buckeyes routed the Cornhuskers in their first game by 35 points, but since that game, Ohio State has beaten their other three opponents by an average of just 14 points. While I thoroughly expect Ohio State to win, it wouldn’t shock me if the Illini can cover in this one.
