Illinois at Ohio State - 2026 Matchup Preview
Illinois logo Illinois Fighting Illini at Ohio State BuckeyesOhio State logo
Saturday, September 26th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Ohio Stadium - Columbus, OH

 
Fighting Illini (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Bret Bielema (37 - 26)
Avg Score : 29 - 24 (27 - 36 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
OSU 2nd straight Home Game
OSU is playing their 4th straight game
ILL is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Ohio State -21  (SP+ OSU -17)
Projected Score: ILL: 16 - OSU: 37 (52)
OSU Win prob: 92% | Cover: 53%
ILL Travel: 276 miles, 1 hrs behind
Buckeyes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Ryan Day (82 - 12)
Avg Score : 33 - 9 (42 - 7 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Illinois's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Illinois vs UAB-30.5
Sat 9/12 Illinois vs Duke-9
Sat 9/19 Illinois vs Southern Illinois-34.5
Sat 9/26 Illinois at Ohio State+21
Sat 10/3 Illinois vs Purdue-16.5
Sat 10/10 Illinois at Michigan State-10.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 Illinois vs Oregon+12
Sat 10/31 Illinois at Maryland-6.5
Sat 11/7 Illinois vs Nebraska-8
Sat 11/14 Illinois at UCLA-10.5
Sat 11/21 Illinois vs Iowa+0.5
Sat 11/28 Illinois vs Northwestern-10

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Illinois's Schedule
Ohio State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Ohio State vs Ball State-53.5
Sat 9/12 Ohio State at Texas-5.5
Sat 9/19 Ohio State vs Kent State-49.5
Sat 9/26 Ohio State vs Illinois-21
Sat 10/3 Ohio State at Iowa-13.5
Sat 10/10 Ohio State vs Maryland-30
Sat 10/17 Ohio State at Indiana+2
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Ohio State at USC-6
Sat 11/7 Ohio State vs Oregon-6.5
Sat 11/14 Ohio State vs Northwestern-28.5
Sat 11/21 Ohio State at Nebraska-21.5
Sat 11/28 Ohio State vs Michigan-16.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Ohio State's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
ILL#39 (.21)48% (15)29.448% (15)3.04 (52)13848% (14)2364.21 (29)#96 (.2)45% (114)23.641% (53)49% (133)4.33 (125)39.50.81.2
OSU#10 (.31)52% (2)33.445% (47)2.99 (61)15558% (1)2684.83 (5)#3 (-.02)34% (6)9.331% (3)38% (32)2.64 (8)38.50.81
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
ILL0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
OSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ILL Offense1329.426.647.8%4.210.8213741382363.951%48%48%48%16%.21
OSU Defense149.37.434.4%2.641 - - - - - 48%50%31%38%16%-.02
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ILL Defense1323.635.645.2%4.331.2 - - - - - 44%54%41%49%15%.2
OSU Offense1433.441.651.7%4.830.8234231552684.648%51%45%58%11%.31

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Illinois1330:5421.242%57%4.639.50.81.24.92.2130.3
Ohio State1433:0022.653%67%4.138.50.815.62.5129
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
ILL Offense1351% (59)48% (15)35.2138.23.921 (40).08 (87)3.04 (52)73% (56)10% (87)0.8 (131)
OSU Defense1448% (50)31% (3) - - - - -.09 (4)2.5 (10)59% (9)11% (17)0.82 (7)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
ILL Defense1344% (10)41% (53) - - - - .07 (50)2.88 (70)75% (97)9% (80)0.92 (51)
OSU Offense1448% (80)45% (47)33.6154.84.625 (60).08 (89)2.99 (61)73% (61)7% (14)0.78 (133)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ILL Offense1348% (76)48% (14)19.328.6235.88.212.223 (33)6 (7).41 (21)1.6 (56)29% (34)37% (14).37 (43)6% (51)1.9 (111)
OSU Defense1450% (89)38% (32) - - - - - - 8 (100).05 (5)1.2 (1)36% (12)23% (5).08 (5)5% (108)1.7 (7)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ILL Defense1354% (122)49% (133) - - - - - - 6 (123).32 (102)1.3 (5)28% (126)36% (130).39 (112)6% (67)2 (62)
OSU Offense1451% (54)58% (1)22.429.1268.29.21233 (22)8 (20).54 (3)1.4 (117)24% (2)39% (7).5 (12)4% (17)1.9 (90)

Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 9.00  #28
Illinois's Offense Rating: 16.72  #27
Illinois's Defense Rating: 12.72  #36
2026 Talent Rating: 876.00  #30
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #24
Illinois's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Illinois's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 12.9  #24
Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.3  #27
Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.7  #41

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Illinois: 9.00   Ohio State: 32.03

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Illinois: 12.9   Ohio State: 30.1




Ohio State's Power Ratings
Ohio State's Power Rating: 32.03  #3
Ohio State's Offense Rating: 29.91  #3
Ohio State's Defense Rating: -2.53  #1
2026 Talent Rating: 1070.00  #6
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
Ohio State's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Ohio State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 30.1  #2
Ohio State's Offense SP+ Rating: 37.6  #13
Ohio State's Defense SP+ Rating: 7.7  #1

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


Illinois Scoring
Offense: 29.4 PPG
Offense on Road: 26.6
Defense: 23.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 35.6

Illinois's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Ohio State 37
Illinois 16

Projected Total Points: 52
Ohio State Scoring
Offense: 33.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 41.6
Defense: 9.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 7.4

Ohio State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202510/11Illinois16Ohio State34Ohio State -15.5Ohio State51.5Under
201711/18Ohio State52Illinois14Ohio State -41Illinois54.5Over
201511/14Illinois3Ohio State28Ohio State -16Ohio State55.0Under
201411/01Ohio State55Illinois14Ohio State -28.5Ohio State0
201311/16Illinois35Ohio State60Ohio State -32Illinois0
201211/03Ohio State52Illinois22
201110/15Illinois7Ohio State17
201010/02Illinois13Ohio State24
200909/26Ohio State30Illinois0
200811/15Illinois20Ohio State30
200711/10Ohio State21Illinois28
200611/04Illinois10Ohio State17
200511/05Ohio State40Illinois2
200111/17Ohio State22Illinois34
200011/10Illinois21Ohio State24
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Ohio State1331 Overs
Illinois222 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams5 - 102 - 31 - 11 - 2
Road Teams10 - 53 - 22 - 11 - 1

(#28) ILL at (#3) OSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatILLOSU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #28 #3
SP+SP+ #24 #2
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #30 #6
Blue ChipsBC% #24 #24
Illinois on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffOSU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #15 #6
ExplosiveExp #118 #2
PPAPPA #39 #3
PowerPwr #27 #1
SP+SP+ #27 #1
Pts POPPO #29 #8
HavocHav #70 #57
Illinois Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffOSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #15 #3
Run ExplRExp #131 #7
PPAExp #87 #4
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #52 #10
Stuff RateStuff #81 #14
TackleTak - NR
Illinois Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffOSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #14 #32
Pass ExplPExl #56 #1
PPAExp #21 #5
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #87 #17
DB HavocDB #51 #108
Ohio State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatOSU OffILL Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #2 #114
ExplosiveExp #124 #37
PPAPPA #10 #96
PowerPwr #3 #36
SP+SP+ #13 #41
Pts POPPO #5 #125
HavocHav #6 #75
Ohio State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
OSU OffILL Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #47 #53
Run ExplRExp #133 #51
PPAExp #89 #50
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #61 #70
Stuff RateStuff #73 #70
TackleTak - NR
Ohio State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatOSU OffILL Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #1 #133
Pass ExplPExl #117 #5
PPAExp #3 #102
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #14 #80
DB HavocDB #17 #67
Program Comparison
OSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFB Elites
'26 Profile: Remains CFB Elites

ILL 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average P4
'26 Profile: Up to Top 25 Contenders

Weather Forecast
Playing in Ohio Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Ohio State beat Illinois last year (34-16)

  
ILL's OC Barry Lunney Jr. (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Katin Houser (Tr)26940866%33001968.1
Ty Robinson (Tr)2367%770025.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ca'Lil Valentine13161444.725
Kaden Feagin12250774.226
Aidan Laughery7538235.157
Katin Houser (Tr)8519392.314
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Alex Perry (Tr)56840915.064
Jayshon Platt (Tr)46720515.748
Collin Dixon35548515.761
Hudson Clement36454312.627

View Illinois's Full Roster

ILL's DC Aaron Henry (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Matthew Bailey764012
Robert Edmonson (Tr)474150
William Holmes (Tr)457250
James Thompson Jr.403221
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Darrell Prater (Tr)214400
William Holmes (Tr)457250
James Thompson Jr.403221
Joe Barna202212
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaheim Clarke301007
James Kreutz304003
Deuce Fillmore (Tr)390003

OSU's OC Arthur Smith (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Julian Sayin30139177%36103289.2
Tavien St. Clair020%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Bo Jackson179109066.164
Isaiah West5931025.338
Ja'Kobi Jackson (Tr)279803.627
Jeremiah Smith32117.017
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jeremiah Smith8712431214.387
Devin Mccuin (Tr)65726811.252
Kyle Parker (Tr)31330410.643
Hunter Welcing (Tr)28296210.636

View Ohio State's Full Roster

OSU's DC Matt Patricia (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Earl Little II762002
Jaylen McClain530003
Christian Alliegro (Tr)488401
Payton Pierce442000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kenyatta Jackson2811722
Christian Alliegro (Tr)488401
Eddrick Houston214310
James Smith (Tr)267321
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dominick Kelly (Tr)30003
Jaylen McClain530003
Earl Little II762002