Illinois football prepares to face Ohio State in Big Ten opener
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 25, 2026, 2:48 PM
Last updated Sep 25, 2026
Illinois heads to Columbus to face No. 7 Ohio State on Saturday at 11 a.m. The Illinois team, under coach Bret Bielema, has historically had more road victories against the Buckeyes than at home, achieving eight wins against ranked teams during Bielema's tenure. Oddsmakers have made Ohio State a 27.5-point favorite, reflecting a challenging environment in The Horseshoe. Key players include Illinois quarterback Katin Houser and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who are expected to have significant impacts on the game.
- •Illinois and Ohio State both enter the game with 2-1 records.
- •Bret Bielema aims for his first win at Ohio State as head coach.
- •Ohio State is favored by 27.5 points in the matchup.
- •Katin Houser's experience in Columbus may benefit Illinois.
- •Illinois has historically performed better against Ohio State on the road.
- 2:48 PMYahoo Sports — Recipe for an upset?
- 2:47 PMYahoo Sports — Can't Wait For Saturday I'm still going with the Buckeyes, but it will be closer than most think
"Sep. 25—*** You probably don't need a reminder, but the most lopsided outcome of Bret Bielema's head coaching career was a 53-point decision in 2025 at Indiana. To be fair, the Hoosiers went on to win the College Football Playoff title and finished with a perfect season. Some are predicting another blowout Saturday when Illinois visits No. 7-ranked Ohio State. Not me. I'm going with Ohio State ...
"Sep. 25—CHAMPAIGN — In five-plus seasons at Illinois, Bret Bielema has experienced multiple wins against ranked teams. Eight times in fact. No. 9 won't be easy: Saturday at seventh-ranked Ohio State in The Horseshoe (11 a.m. on Fox). The oddsmakers don't like Illinois' chances, making the Buckeyes (2-1) 27 1/2-point favorites before they play the Illini (2-1) in the Big Ten opener for both ...
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 25, 2026, 2:48 PMRecipe for an upset?
Sep. 25—CHAMPAIGN — In five-plus seasons at Illinois, Bret Bielema has experienced multiple wins against ranked teams. Eight times in fact. No. 9 won't be easy: Saturday at seventh-ranked Ohio State in The Horseshoe (11 a.m. on Fox). The oddsmakers don't like Illinois' chances, making the Buckeyes (2-1) 27 1/2-point favorites before they play the Illini (2-1) in the Big Ten opener for both ...
- Yahoo SportsSep 25, 2026, 2:47 PMCan't Wait For Saturday I'm still going with the Buckeyes, but it will be closer than most think
Sep. 25—*** You probably don't need a reminder, but the most lopsided outcome of Bret Bielema's head coaching career was a 53-point decision in 2025 at Indiana. To be fair, the Hoosiers went on to win the College Football Playoff title and finished with a perfect season. Some are predicting another blowout Saturday when Illinois visits No. 7-ranked Ohio State. Not me. I'm going with Ohio State ...
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