Illinois Fighting Illini vs Ohio State Buckeyes Prediction, 9/26/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Ohio State Buckeyes

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026

Location: Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH

TV: FOX

Odds/Point Spread: Buckeyes (-27.5)

Total/Over-Under: 52.5

Ohio Stadium is where the Ohio State Buckeyes (2-1) will meet the Illinois Fighting Illini (2-1) on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Ohio State opens as 27.5-point favorites. The over/under comes in at 52.5.

The Illinois Fighting Illini come into this matchup with a record of 2-1 this season. In their last matchup, the Fighting Illini faced the Southern Illinois Salukis and took home the win by a score of 48-10. The Illinois Fighting Illini ran the football 28 times and totaled 198 yards, which is an average of 7.1 yds per carry. Overall, they tallied 57 plays which totaled 503 yds. Illinois gave up 22 pass completions on 42 attempts for 228 yds, and a completion rate of 52.4%. Against the run, the Fighting Illini conceded 29 yds on 27 attempts, which averages out to 1.1 yds per run allowed.

The Fighting Illini have earned 1,217 total yards for the year. In terms of scoring, Illinois has compiled 8 passing touchdowns and 5 rushing touchdowns. They have given the ball to the opposition 2 different times. Illinois has 61 1st downs as a team, and they have committed 13 penalties for 118 yards. As a team they have an average of 153.0 yards via the ground game which ranks them 86th in D-1. When it comes to putting the ball in the endzone, the Illinois Fighting Illini have an average of 39.0 points per contest.

When it comes to yards via the pass, the Fighting Illini have allowed 653 yards which has them ranked 83rd in college football. They have relinquished 217.7 yards per contest through the air as well as giving up a completion percentage of 57.7%. For the season, they are conceding 348.7 yards/outing which ranks them 79th in Division 1. They have yielded 5 touchdowns via the pass and 2 touchdowns pounding the rock. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.6 yards per rush and 131.0 rushing yards per game so far this season. Overall, they have conceded 393 yards via the ground game in 3 outings. The Fighting Illini are ranked 65th in college football when it comes to their opponents scoring, conceding 21.3 PPG.

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The Buckeyes come into this game with a record of 2-1 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Buckeyes walked away with a victory by a final of 59-3 when they faced the Kent State Golden Flashes. Ohio State ran for 3.8 yards per carry, finishing with 145 yds on 38 attempts. The Buckeyes ended up finishing with 527 yards and they ran 66 plays (8.0 yards per play). The Buckeyes secondary gave up a completion percentage of 38.1%, relinquishing 63 yds on 8 for 21 through the air. Ohio State relinquished 34 attempts on the ground for 71 yds (2.1 yds per carry).

The Ohio State Buckeyes have an average of 523.3 yards per contest, ranking them 9th in D-1. The Ohio State offense has compiled 135 yds of penalties on 16 violations, which has them ranked 100th in D-1 in terms of making mistakes. They have an average of 158.7 yards per game via the ground game and have rushed for 476 yards for the season. They have tossed 4 interceptions while surrendering no fumbles and they have been able to obtain 76 first downs. Concerning this team's ability to score points, the Buckeyes are sitting 13th in Division 1 by tallying 46.0 points per game. Over the course of the season to this point, the Buckeyes currently have a total of 1,094 yards via the pass as well as holding an average of 364.7 passing yards per game, ranking them 4th in college football.

Ohio State has allowed a total of 257 rushing yards (85.7 yards per contest) in addition to 2 touchdowns rushing for the campaign. They have surrendered 1 touchdowns from the passing game as well as 126.0 yards/outing, which has them sitting 10th in D-1. Overall, they have allowed 30 points. They have 3 fumbles and 3 picks so far this season. The Buckeyes defense has been on the field for 193 plays, which is 71st in Division 1. The Buckeyes are allowing 10.0 PPG, which has them ranked 11th in college football.

Who will win tonight's Fighting Illini/Buckeyes college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Buckeyes -27.5

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