The still-undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes look to stay perfect when they host the 2-6 Fighting Illini of Illinois Saturday afternoon (3:30 pm ET, ESPN).

The Buckeyes, 9-0 after a victory at Happy Valley, were early 23-point favorites over the Illini, who have lost five games in a row.



View Illinois vs Ohio State Odds and Stats.

Betting Line: The Fighting Illini were listed as 24-point underdogs on the Sportsbook NCAA football line at Sportsbook and most sportsbooks tracked by OddsShark. No total was available early in the week.

Power Rankings / Prediction: The Buckeyes sit at No. 71 in the current NCAAF Power Rankings here at OddsShark, while the Fighting Illini are at No. 83 on that chart. Math models have concluded that the Buckeyes will win this game 42-15.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Ohio State's No. 21-ranked offense (38.6 PPG) against a Fighting Illini defense that ranks No. 89 at 30.8 PPG. The Buckeyes passing attack has averaged 183.9 yards per game, less than the Fighting Illini give up through the air (213.2 YPG on average).

Defensively, the Fighting Illini feature the league's No. 104-rated road run defense, allowing 239.3 yards per game. Ohio State, meanwhile, ranks No. 23 in rushing offense at home.

Illinois lost its last outing, a 31-17 result against Indiana on October 27. Illinois failed to cover in that game as a 2-point favorite, while the 48 combined points took the game UNDER the total. Donovonn Young ran through the Indiana defense for 124 yards in Illinois's last game, but the Fighting Illini still lost a 31-17 decision at Memorial Stadium.

Last time out for Ohio State, they were a 35-23 Sportsbook as they battled Penn State on the road. Ohio State covered in the match as a 1-point favorite, while 58 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors. Braxton Miller ran through the Penn State defense for 134 yards in Ohio State's last game, handing the Nittany Lions a 35-23 setback on Saturday at Beaver Stadium.


Illinois Fighting Illini Trends:
When playing in November are 2-8
When playing on turf are 2-8
After outgaining opponent are 4-6
When playing within the conference are 0-10

Ohio State Buckeyes Trends:
When playing in November are 7-3
When playing on turf are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When playing within the conference are 7-3

A few Fighting Illini at Buckeyes trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Illinois's last 8 games when playing Ohio State
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Illinois's last 6 games on the road
Illinois is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Illinois is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Ohio State
Ohio State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Ohio State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Ohio State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Illinois
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Ohio State's last 8 games when playing Illinois


Next up:
Illinois home to Minnesota, Saturday, November 10
Ohio State at Wisconsin, Saturday, November 17