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Ohio State Buckeyes vs Illinois Fighting Illini: Will Smith Leads the Charge in Upcoming Showdown

The Ohio State Buckeyes are set to face off against the Illinois Fighting Illini in what promises to be an exciting football matchup. As the teams prepare for battle, betting enthusiasts are keenly analyzing the odds and spreads that could influence their wagers.


Oct 23, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Evan Pryor (21) dives with the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Ohio State won 54-7. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

First Quarter


In the opening quarter, both teams will be looking to establish dominance early on. The Buckeyes come into this game as strong favorites, with FanDuel offering odds of -800 for an Ohio State victory. This is a slight shift from their opening odds of -581, indicating increased confidence in their ability to secure a win. On the other hand, the Fighting Illini have seen their odds rise from +420 to +540, suggesting a challenging game ahead for Champaign's Own.


Second Quarter


As we move into the second quarter, attention turns to the spread. DraftKings has set a spread of 14 points favoring Ohio State, which has shifted slightly from an opening spread of 13.5 points. Meanwhile, FanDuel presents a more aggressive spread of 15.5 points in favor of the Buckeyes. This adjustment reflects expectations for Ohio State's offensive prowess led by standout defensive lineman Will Smith.


Third Quarter


In the third quarter, bettors will be closely watching total points predictions. The over/under line has been adjusted from an initial 50.5 total points down to 48.5 across various sportsbooks like FanDuel and PointsBet. This suggests a potential defensive battle or perhaps adverse weather conditions affecting scoring opportunities.


Fourth Quarter


As we approach the final quarter, consensus betting percentages reveal interesting insights: 88 percent of moneyline bets are backing Illinois despite their underdog status, while only 12 percent favor Ohio State on this front. However, when it comes to spread betting, it's more balanced with 54 percent backing Illinois and 46 percent siding with Ohio State.


The upcoming clash between these two teams is not just about team performance but also individual brilliance on display—expect Will Smith to make significant contributions for Ohio State as they aim for victory at Memorial Stadium in Champaign.


For fans eager to catch all the action live: mark your calendars for October 11th at noon Eastern Time (4 PM UTC). Tune into FOX network coverage directly from Memorial Stadium in Champaign, IL—don't miss out!


If you're excited about this matchup or have thoughts on how it might unfold based on these insights—share this article with fellow fans!

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