The Ohio State football team hasn't had the opportunity to win the Illibuck on the road for quite a while. Will they be able to do so on Saturday?
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Ohio State football vs Illinois: Final odds and prediction for the Illibuck
The Ohio State football team hasn't had the opportunity to win the Illibuck on the road for quite a while. Will they be able to do so on Saturday?
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Final prediction: Ohio State 38 Illinois 10
It's unreasonable to expect the Buckeyes to never give up a touchdown. This will be the best offense that Ohio State will face all season. If Illinois can't score a touchdown at home, then they are much more overrated than any college football thought. That doesn't mean they'll actually compete in this game, though.
So far this season, the Ohio State football team has only had to play one game on the road. They won that game against Washington without too many issues. They were able to suffocate the Huskies' offense and not allow them to score any touchdowns.
On Saturday afternoon, the Ohio State Buckeyes will play their second road game. This was one that the Buckeyes had circled on their calendar before the season started. They knew it was going to be one of their toughest games. That remains true, even if Illinois got crushed by Indiana.
The Buckeyes haven't been truly tested since the season opener against Texas. That's the only game they haven't won by double-digits. As the top-ranked team in the country, they should be able to win this game, and Vegas thinks they'll win it fairly comfortably.
Final odds for Ohio State football vs Illinois
According to DraftKings, the Buckeyes are favored by 14.5 points. It's hard to disagree that Ohio State should win this going away, even if Luke Altmeyer is the best quarterback they will face in the regular season. Offensively, no team has been able to finish drives against the Buckeyes.
Final prediction: Ohio State 38 Illinois 10
It's unreasonable to expect the Buckeyes to never give up a touchdown. This will be the best offense that Ohio State will face all season. If Illinois can't score a touchdown at home, then they are much more overrated than any college football thought. That doesn't mean they'll actually compete in this game, though.
Expect Jeremiah Smith to continue his great season. He is the best receiver in the country and is the best player in the country. While the Illini will certainly make sure not to leave him alone on an island, there's only so much they will be able to do in order to keep him under wraps.
Julian Sayin will have another 270+ yards passing to go along with three touchdowns. The run game will add a couple more touchdowns, and Ohio State will leave without having to worry too much. They will be marching out of Champaign with the Illibuck once more.