NCAAF Week 12 Betting – Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
by Mike Rose
It’s another week of fantastic college football betting, and Illinois Fighting Illini (5-5, 4-5 ATS), who will be hoping to gain bowl eligibility. Revenge is the theme for the Buckeyes this year, as they will be looking to get some payback for last season’s 28-21 loss at the Horseshoe that knocked them from the ranks of the unbeaten teams in America.
After losing 13-6 to NCAA football betting line.
Freshman superstar QB Terrelle Pryor had the best game of his young career, completing 9-of-14 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns to go with his 33 rushing yards. RB Chris ‘Beanie’ Wells rushed the ball 28 times for 140 yards and two scores. The offense ranks 89th in the nation, only managing 330.6 yards per game, but the defense has picked up the slack and kept the Buckeyes on the national scene. The unit ranks in the Top-10 in total yards (269.8), passing yards allowed (164.4), and points allowed (13.0).
Illinois had its chance to gain bowl eligibility against Western Michigan at Ford Field last weekend, but wasted that opportunity by losing to its MAC opponents by a 23-17 final count. QB Juice Williams tried his best to erase the 23-10 4th quarter deficit, but his 396 yards of offense wasn’t quite enough to complete the comeback. Williams led the team in both passing (328 yards) and rushing (68 yards). The rest of the offense only combined for 47 yards.
It was a disaster for Illini bettors, who have alternated wins and losses both straight up and against the spread in every game since October 4th. Though the offense has been one of the best in the Big 10 this season, the defense has left a ton to be desired. The unit ranks just 72nd in the nation in points per game allowed (26.2), and it’s doomed the Illini this year after playing in the Rose Bowl just a short year ago.
For the fifth time this season, the oddsmakers installed the Buckeyes as double-digit favorites. However, Ohio State currently sits as a 9.5-point road favorite with a game ‘total’ of 47.5.
The Buckeyes have been a fantastic team for football bettors away from Columbus of late, going 14-4 ATS in their L/18 road games. However, Illinois is 7-2 ATS in its L/9 Big 10 games. The road team has won seven of the L/8 games in this series, but the Illini have dominated the betting outcomes, covering six of the L/7.
Will the Buckeyes keep their BCS hopes alive, or will the Illini qualify for their second straight bowl game? Login to your BetUS account right now to take your stance on this game!
