Before conference expansion, Ohio State and Illinois played annually for the Illibuck Trophy, which is the second-oldest trophy in the Big Ten. On Saturday afternoon, they'll meet for the first time in eight years.
Ohio State leads the series 68-30-4 and has won the last nine meetings. However, Illinois upset the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes in 2007 before making the Rose Bowl. It's also won the last four meetings when both teams were ranked, yet, it'll have to shock No. 1 Ohio State once again, as the Buckeyes are a double-digit favorite.
Read on for my Illinois vs Ohio State same-game parlay.
Illinois vs Ohio State Parlay Picks
- Jeremiah Smith 80+ Receiving Yards (-170)
- Bo Jackson 60+ Rushing Yards (-230)
- Ohio State -9.5 (-195)
Parlay Odds: +205 via Fanatics
Illinois vs Ohio State Odds
| Illinois" Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+14.5 -110 | 50.5 -110o / -110u | +475 |
| Ohio State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-14.5 -110 | 50.5 -110o / -110u | -650 |
Jeremiah Smith 80+ Receiving Yards (-170)
When asked about all the attention he draws, Jeremiah Smith said, "Whatever you want to do to take me out, Carnell Tate is gonna kill you, the run game is gonna kill you, the tight ends are gonna kill you."
Well, despite their best efforts, defenses have struggled to take Smith away, too. After recording 76 receptions and 1,315 receiving yards with 15 touchdowns as a true freshman, Smith is on pace for 114 catches and 1,482 receiving yards with 19 touchdowns this season.
Smith has been a safety valve for redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Sayin. He's had at least five receptions in every game this season and 60 yards in four of them.
He's gone for 80 yards three times already, with 119 against Grambling and 153 against Ohio. In Ohio State's lone road game this season, Smith also had eight catches for 81 yards at Washington.
Unlike Washington, Illinois is 113th in passing yards allowed, surrendering 252.3 per game. Against Illinois, Indiana's Fernando Mendoza was nearly perfect, going 21-for-23 for 267 yards and five touchdown passes.
USC's Jayden Maiava and Purdue's Ryan Browne have thrown 300 yards against the Fighting Illini in their last two games as well.
That sets up a big game for Sayin and, by extension, likely Smith as well. If Sayin has 250 passing yards or more, I would expect Smith to have at least 80 of them.
Bo Jackson 60+ Rushing Yards (-230)
In the backfield, Ohio State began this season with James Peoples and CJ Donaldson.
While Donaldson leads the team with four rushing touchdowns, it's proven difficult to keep true freshman running back Bo Jackson off the field.
Jackson leads the Buckeyes with 360 rushing yards on 7.5 yards per carry. He has two 100-yard games already this season and at least 60 rushing yards in every game he's played in.
Illinois' defense is better against the run, but it's still surrendering 135.2 rushing yards per game and ranks 62nd in the FBS. It's allowed five rushers to reach 60 yards in their past three games. Purdue's Devin Mockobee just missed joining that group after he finished with 58 last week.
In Big Ten play, Jackson is averaging 15 carries per game. If Ohio State is playing with a lead, he should see double-digit attempts again, as it'll be looking to put the game away in the second half.
That should help Jackson reach at least 60 yards on the ground.
Ohio State -9.5 (-195)
Ohio State's defense has yet to allow 10 points in a single game this season. That'll be put to the test against an Illinois team averaging 37 points per game.
It should also be a raucous environment hosting the No. 1 team in the country and Big Noon Kickoff on campus.
Ohio State may start conservatively on offense to help Sayin settle in for his second road start. However, it also passed its first road test with flying colors, defeating a tough Washington team 24-6 in Seattle.
Ohio State is 4-0-1 against the spread this season and 8-1-1 ATS over its last 10 games.
Illinois has been a profitable team to back as well, going 9-1 ATS over its last 10 games.
However, I don't expect the Fighting Illini to get many stops here. They may not give up 63 again, but the Buckeyes' offense should have plenty of success. With their defense, that should be enough for a double-digit victory to complete this parlay.
