Odds, picks, best bet for Big Ten clash

The No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes just pass every test you put in front of them.

The defending champions took care of Texas in Week 1, crushed a couple of also-rans in the following weeks and then passed a stiff test with a trip to Washington a fortnight ago.

Ohio State showed no ill effects from that cross-country trip in a ho-hum drubbing of Minnesota last weekend.

A trip to Champaign to take on No. 17 Illinois should be viewed as a potential banana skin, but the Buckeyes just don’t seem to trip.

Ohio State is a 14.5-point favorite at Gies Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Ohio State vs. Illinois odds, prediction

According to the AP, Illinois is the 17th-best football team in the country. The Fighting Illini are home. And they are two weeks removed from a rollicking 34-32 win over a very trendy USC team.

And yet, they are getting 14.5 points against Ohio State.

There is logic behind the wide odds aside from the fact that the Buckeyes are the best team in the country.

Illinois got absolutely crushed by Indiana, 63-10, on Sept. 20, and it was quite fortunate in its win against Duke way back in Week 2.

That may sound unfair to say about a 45-19 victory, but the Blue Devils turned the ball over five times (including four fumbles) in that clash.

The stylistic matchup should also scare Illini fans in this one.

Betting on College Football?

Illinois has a terrific offense led by quarterback Luke Altmyer, but its going up against the country’s best defense. Nobody has made it into double digits against Ohio State this season.

Ohio State’s defense will drive the bus, allowing the offense to do its thing and wear out the Illini’s leaky defense until it submits.

This could be over quickly, so don’t be afraid of the big number on the road.

The Play: Ohio State -14.5 (-108, FanDuel)

Why Trust New York Post Betting

Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.