Ohio State Buckeyes at No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini |
Ohio State is 0-2 in the Big Ten Conference for just the second time and lost back-to-back games for the first time in 88 games, snapping the nation’s longest streak without consecutive losses.
The Buckeyes still have a solid defense, ranking 17th nationally in fewest points allowed at 17.8 points per game. The team will be facing its third of four straight ranked opponents in October this Saturday.
Ohio State is coming off a disappointing 34-27 loss to Nebraska last week as 10-point road underdogs, but came away from that contest with a five-game high in terms of total yards offensively. It wasn’t enough, as the Buckeyes allowed a season-high 423 yards to the Cornhuskers.
sportsbook Bettors will find that the Buckeyes are still a tremendous option against the spread, covering 23 of their last 31 games, while the ‘under’ is 17-13 over that span.
Illinois is 6-0 on the season and comes in on a seven-game win streak dating back to last season. An Illinois team last won eight consecutive games in 1983. The Fighting Illini have forced at least one turnover in 21 consecutive games, the longest current streak in the nation.
Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase ranks fifth in the nation and second in the Big Ten in passing efficiency, while throwing 23 touchdowns and just four interceptions in his last 13 games.
Illinois has rushed for 1,357 yards and held opponents to just 478 rushing yards. The Fighting Illini are averaging 4.7 yards per carry, while holding opponents to 2.3 yards per rush.
When making your college football betting picks this weekend, take into account the Fighting Illini’s 1-6 ATS record as favorites of 3.5 to 10 points, while the ‘under’ is 4-3 in that situation.
