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Illinois vs Ohio State Football Betting Odds & Spread

Written November 11, 2008 by Jason Lowry

Editors Note: Jason Lowry has a premium play going on the Ohio State Illinois game this weekend, and you don’t want to miss out on another big week in both the NCAA and NFL.

This Saturday one of the biggest games in the Big 10 has the 8-2 No. 10 Ohio State Buckeyes taking on the 5-5 Illinois Fighting Ilini. The Illini really struggled last week on the road, as they were pretty well handled by Western Michigan 23-17, and now have to either beat Ohio State this week or Northwestern the following week if they want a shot at a bowl game. As for the Buckeyes they still have the Rose Bowl in their minds, as they sit tied atop the Big 10 with Michigan State and Penn State. Last week the Buckeyes made easy work of Northwestern on the road, as they took home a 45-10 win. The oddsmakers are thinking all Buckeyes in this one, as Ohio State is 9.5 point favorites over the Illini at Sportsbook.com

This is the final road test for the Buckeyes in the regular season, as they have just one game left at home after this against Michigan. Last week against Northwestern the Buckeyes had no problems moving the football, as running back Beanie Wells had it going, rushing for 140 yards and 2 scores on 28 carries. While Wells had the running game going, Terrelle Pryor made good work of his limited attempts in the passing game, as Pryor completed just 9 passes for 197 yards and 3 touchdowns. Now playing on the road can be a challenge for any team, and if you remember right the Fighting Illini were the only team to beat the Buckeyes last season in the regular season.

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The Buckeyes defense was solid against the Wildcats last week giving up just 10 points, but did give up some yards, as the Wildcats racked up nearly 300 yards in this one, but many of those came when the game was out of hand. The Buckeyes defense also forced 3 turnovers as they recovered 2 fumbles and an interception. The key this week is making sure Illinois quarterback Juice Wiliams doesn’t get it going with his legs, as the Illini are a much better team when Williams can run and pass instead of just sitting back in the pocket. Bet Ohio State -9.5 at Sportsbook.com

We mentioned the importance of Juice Williams for the Illini, as he is the only real weapon this team has this year. Now last week Williams did just what he needs to do this week minus a couple turnovers, as Williams had 68 yards on the ground, and 328 yards through the air, as the Illini out gained Western Michigan by nearly 80 yards. Now Williams did throw for a ton of yards and a touchdown, but the two big plays were the interceptions he had that really hurt this teams chances of coming away with a victory. Without a running back like Rashard Mendenhall in the backfield this season, its going to be real hard for this team to pull off the big upset.

Now playing at home and having that confidence of beating this team last season at their home place, is something that you have to like when you think of the chances this team really has of pulling off the win, but they can’t have another performance like they did last week on the road, as they let a small division school control the game and really hurt this teams chances of making a Bowl game this season. If the defense is going to be pumped up for any game this season, its going to be this one, its just going to be a matter if they can keep that intensity the whole game. Bet Illinois +9.5 at Sportsbook.com