Illinois at No. 7 Ohio State 2026 Preview: Prediction, Betting Odds & 4 Prop Bets

Big Ten play begins Saturday afternoon at Ohio Stadium when the Illinois Fighting Illini visit the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes in the latest battle for the Illibuck Trophy.

Both teams enter conference play at 2-1. Illinois rebounded from a 31-27 loss to Duke by defeating Southern Illinois 48-10, while Ohio State answered its heartbreaking 24-23 loss at Texas by crushing Kent State 59-3.

Ohio State enters as a massive favorite, but Illinois brings an efficient quarterback and one of college football’s hottest receivers to Columbus.

Game Information

Matchup: Illinois Fighting Illini at No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 Time: 12:00 PM ET TV: FOX Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio Tickets: As low as $63 Betting Line: Ohio State -27.5 Over/Under: 53.5

The current market has Ohio State favored by 27.5 points with a total of 53.5.

Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois quarterback Katin Houser has given Bret Bielema an efficient passing attack. Through three games, Houser has completed 74.1% of his passes with eight touchdowns while ranking among the nation’s leaders in passing efficiency.

His favorite weapon has been Collin Dixon.

Dixon enters Saturday with 25 receptions for 367 yards and a nation-leading seven touchdown catches. Against Duke, he exploded for 11 catches, 166 yards and three touchdowns.

Illinois also showed explosiveness on the ground against Southern Illinois when Aidan Laughery broke a 77-yard touchdown run.

The challenge is obvious: Ohio State represents a dramatic increase in competition, especially inside Ohio Stadium.

No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State’s record may only be 2-1, but the Buckeyes remain one of the nation’s most talented teams.

Quarterback Julian Sayin has thrown for 839 yards, six touchdowns and one interception through three games. He passed for 320 yards against Ball State, 278 against Texas and 241 against Kent State.

Then there is Jeremiah Smith.

Smith enters Big Ten play with 21 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns. He has already produced games of 151 and 164 receiving yards and broke Ohio State’s career receiving-yardage record against Kent State.

Running back Bo Jackson provides balance with 230 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Ohio State has also dominated at home, beating Ball State 56-3 and Kent State 59-3.

4 Prop Bets

Prop Bet #1: Julian Sayin Over 249.5 Passing Yards

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Sayin Over 249.5 Passing Yards

• 839 Yards Through 3 Games
• 320 vs. Ball State
• 278 at Texas

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Sayin is averaging nearly 280 passing yards per game and has already topped this target twice. Illinois has playmakers defensively, but Ohio State’s receiving corps creates difficult matchups across the field.

Prop Bet #2: Jeremiah Smith Over 99.5 Receiving Yards

FanDuel

4.6/5

Tip: Smith Over 99.5 Receiving Yards

• 400 Yards Through 3 Games
• 164 Yards at Texas
• 133.3 Yards Per Game

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Smith is averaging more than 133 receiving yards per game and remains the most dangerous individual matchup Illinois must solve.

Prop Bet #3: Collin Dixon Over 69.5 Receiving Yards

Caesars

4.4/5

Tip: Dixon Over 69.5 Receiving Yards

• 367 Yards Through 3 Games
• 25 Receptions
• Nation-Leading 7 Receiving TDs

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Illinois could be playing from behind, creating additional passing opportunities for Houser and Dixon. Dixon has been the centerpiece of the Illini passing game.

Prop Bet #4: Bo Jackson Anytime Touchdown

BetMGM

4.5/5

Tip: Bo Jackson Anytime Touchdown

• 230 Rushing Yards
• 73 Yards vs. Kent State
• Ohio State Favored by 27.5

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A favorable game script should give Jackson plenty of opportunities, particularly if Ohio State controls the second half.

Players to Watch

Illinois

Katin Houser: Illinois needs its quarterback to remain efficient and avoid turnovers against an elite defense.

Collin Dixon: With seven touchdowns already, Dixon gives Illinois a legitimate game-changing threat.

Matthew Bailey: Bailey returned an interception 88 yards for a touchdown against Southern Illinois and will be critical against Ohio State’s explosive passing attack.

Ohio State

Julian Sayin: His ability to efficiently distribute the football could determine how quickly Ohio State takes control.

Jeremiah Smith: Illinois must prevent Smith from producing explosive gains downfield.

Bo Jackson: A productive rushing performance would force Illinois to defend every part of Ohio State’s offense.

Keys to the Game — Illinois

Get Dixon Involved: Illinois needs its best offensive weapon making plays early.

Pressure Sayin: Giving Sayin time to locate Smith and Ohio State’s other receivers could become disastrous.

Avoid a Slow Start: Illinois cannot allow Ohio State to build a three-score first-half advantage.

Keys to the Game — Ohio State

Attack Downfield: Smith provides Ohio State with a major matchup advantage.

Establish the Run: Getting Jackson going would make an already difficult Illinois defensive assignment even harder.

Limit Explosive Plays: Dixon has seven touchdown catches. Ohio State cannot allow Illinois to generate easy points through big plays.

Betting Prediction

Illinois is better than the typical four-touchdown underdog.

Houser is playing efficient football, Dixon is having an outstanding start, and the Illini have scored at least 27 points in every game.

The problem is Ohio State’s talent advantage.

The Buckeyes have scored 115 points in two home games while allowing only six, and Sayin, Smith and Jackson give Ohio State multiple ways to attack.

Illinois should generate more resistance than Ball State or Kent State, but containing Ohio State for four quarters is another matter.

The 27.5-point spread is enormous, yet Ohio State has already demonstrated how quickly games can get out of hand at the Horseshoe.

The Verdict

Illinois should have moments offensively, particularly through Houser and Dixon, but Ohio State possesses too much firepower.

Expect Illinois to stay competitive early before the Buckeyes begin creating explosive plays and controlling field position.

Ohio State pulls away after halftime and starts Big Ten play with a convincing victory.

Final Score Prediction

No. 7 Ohio State 42, Illinois 17

Best Bet: Ohio State -27.5Against the Spread: Ohio State -27.5Moneyline: Ohio StateOver/Under: Over 53.5

Top Prop Bets: Julian Sayin Over 249.5 Passing Yards; Jeremiah Smith Over 99.5 Receiving Yards; Collin Dixon Over 69.5 Receiving Yards; Bo Jackson Anytime Touchdown.

Prediction: Ohio State 42, Illinois 17