Illinois vs. Ohio State Prediction: Week 4 Odds, Picks & Best Bet
My Illinois vs. Ohio State prediction takes us to a Big 10 matchup with two teams facing their first conference opponent this season. No. 7 Ohio State has looked dominant, aside from a 4th-quarter meltdown at No. 1 Texas, while the Fighting Illini enter this matchup with a top-40 scoring offense.
The Buckeyes are -27.5-point home favorites at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, leading up to Saturday's opening kickoff at 12 p.m. ET (FOX).
🏈 Illinois vs. Ohio State picks & predictions
See all of our experts' college football picks for Week 4 based on the latest college football odds.
| Pick | Bet size |
|---|---|
| Illinois +27.5 (-115 via FanDuel) | 1.15 units to win 1.00 units |
| Under 54.5 (-115 via FanDuel) | 1.15 units to win 1.00 units |
Total wagered: 2.30 units | Max profit: 2.00 units
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💰 Illinois vs. Ohio State prediction & best bet
Check out all of our college football predictions for more analysis across this week's slate.
Illinois +27.5 (-115 via FanDuel)
Public bettors are hammering Ohio State's -27.5-point spread. Only 17 percent of public action is on Illinois in this game, as the Fighting Illini prepare for their first road game of the season.
Illinois QB Katin Houser has been good, posting a 74.1 percent completion rate for 8 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He's also at 5.0 YPC with a competent backfield in Ca'Lil Valentine and Aidan Laughery, each averaging between 4.7 and 7.2 YPC.
Ohio State is littered with 5-star talent on offense and defense. WR Jeremiah Smith is the alpha in this game, while QB Julian Sayin has shown some weaknesses with misreads, overthrows, and shying away from his scrambling ability.
Illinois is 2-1, suffering its lone loss after blowing a 1st half lead to Duke at home. Under head coach Bret Bielema, now in his sixth year with the program, the Fighting Illini defense has held opponents to 2 total rushing touchdowns and less than 230 passing yards in every matchup.
27.5 points is a lot, even against a top-10 team like the Buckeyes. Let's go to FanDuel to bet on Illinois +27.5 at -115 odds.
📡 SBR Edge: Too Many Points
Illinois has covered +27.5 in 2 of its previous 3 matchups against Ohio State, including a 34-16 loss at home in 2025.
Illinois Defense Hangs On For Late Cover
While Illinois isn't going to pull off the upset over Ohio State's loaded roster, especially in its first road game of the season, the Fighting Illini offense will do enough to mount a few scoring drives against the Buckeyes. Houser is a talented quarterback who can move the football through the air while extending plays with his legs.
Sayin's been a bit stale on select drives in all three starts for Ohio State this year. He has a massive ceiling and upside. However, the Buckeyes appear to be leaning into their rushing attack under first-year OC Arthur Smith. This grinds the game clock, and if Sayin winds up with a couple of errant throws on key downs, the Fighting Illini defense can force field goal attempts, punts, or turnover on downs to stay within +27.5.
Score prediction: Ohio State 38, Illinois 16
📊 Illinois vs. Ohio State odds
See the latest college football odds for every Week 4 matchup.
Illinois vs. Ohio State opening odds
- Moneyline: Illinois +2000 | Ohio State-6500
- Spread: Illinois +26.5 (-105) | Ohio State -26.5 (-115)
- Over/Under: Over 54.5 (-112) | Under 54.5 (-108)
📺 How to watch Illinois vs. Ohio State: Week 4
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 26
- Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
- TV: FOX
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Sportsbook Review may receive a commission if you sign up through our links. Not intended for use in MA. Bonuses not applicable in Ontario. 21+ only. (Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
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