Where to watch Ohio State vs. Illinois for free today

The No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes open Big Ten play against the Illinois Fighting Illini today. Find out how to watch for free. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)AP Photo/Jay LaPreteIf you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.By Robert Fenbers, cleveland.comCOLUMBUS, Ohio - The No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes open Big Ten play with a home matchup against the Illinois Fighting Illini for the Illibuck Trophy today – Saturday, Sept. 26 – at Ohio Stadium. This college football game is available to watch for free on multiple streaming services. How to watch Ohio State vs. Illinois today What: Ohio State vs. Illinois When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026Time: 12 p.m. EasternWhere: Ohio Stadium | Columbus, OhioChannel: FOXStreaming options: DIRECTV (free trial and $35 off your first month), FuboTV (free trial and $25 off your first month) and SlingTV How do I watch Ohio State vs. Illinois for free?This Big Ten matchup will broadcast live on FOX at 12 p.m. Eastern. You can take advantage of free trials from DIRECTV and FuboTV, which also offer large discounts on your first month. You can watch this game on SlingTV for $19.99 per month with Sling Select, which offers local channels in select markets. The Buckeyes (2-1) jumped back into the win column with a 59-3 victory over Kent State at the Horseshoe on Sept. 19. Ohio State outgained the Golden Flashes, 527-134. Its lone loss came at No. 4 Texas, which is now ranked No. 1 in the country. Junior quarterback Julian Sayin, who finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting last year, has thrown for 839 yards with six touchdowns and one interception. His 90.4 QBR is fourth-best in the nation.The OSU signal caller had a pedestrian outing against Illinois last year, finishing 19 of 27 for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Junior receiver Jeremiah Smith, who recently broke the program’s all-time receiving yards record in a game against Kent State, has hauled in 21 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns. He is averaging 19 yards per reception. Sophomore Bo Jackson and senior Ja’Kobi Jackson lead Ohio State’s ground attack. The latter was called out publicly by head coach Ryan Day, a rare occurrence during his time at the helm of the Buckeyes. Bo has 39 carries for 230 yards and two touchdowns. He is averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Ja’Kobi has 21 carries for 150 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. The Buckeyes’ pass rush has been a sore subject, breaking through for just four sacks in three games. Equally dismal was Ohio State’s 1-for-8 third-down conversion line against Kent State. They will try to shore up both areas today. Senior safety Earl Little Jr. has a team-high 17 tackles and two pass deflections. Junior safety Jaylen McClain has nine tackles with one interception. Sophomore defensive end Zion Grady and senior offensive lineman Phillip Daniels are both questionable. Ohio State has won 10 consecutive games against Illinois, including an 18-point victory in Champaign last year. The Buckeyes have held the coveted Illibuck trophy since 2008. Watch Ohio State vs. Illinois for free with DIRECTV The Fighting Illini (2-1) blasted Southern Illinois, 48-10, in Champaign. Illinois led 31-10 at halftime and broke away with 17 points in the fourth quarter. Their previous loss came against Duke. Senior quarterback Katin Houser has thrown for 758 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions. His 88.4 QBR is the eighth-best mark in the nation. His offensive line has only allowed two sacks through three games. Illinois has a lethal pass catcher in senior receiver Collin Dixon, who has already amassed 25 receptions for 367 yards and an FBS-best seven touchdowns.Junior running back Ca’Lil Valentine leads the ground game with 38 carries for 177 yards and one touchdown. He is averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Illinois’ defense has allowed an average of 182 rushing yards to FBS opponents this season. Head coach Bret Bielema is looking for a physical, fiery performance to oppose one of the nation’s top programs. Senior linebacker Ismael Kante leads the Fighting Illini with 15 tackles and one interception. Senior defensive back Matthew Bailey has 14 tackles and one interception. The last time Illinois beat Ohio State was Nov. 10, 2007. The unraked Illini upset the top-ranked Buckeyes, 28-21, in Columbus. Watch Ohio State vs. Illinois for free with FuboTVWho is announcing Ohio State vs. Illinois?Gus Johnson (play-by-play) and Joel Klatt (analyst) will be the announcers while Jenny Taft reports from the sideline.What are the latest odds for Ohio State vs. Illinois? Spread: OSU: (-27.5), ILL: (+27.5)Moneyline: OSU: -4000, ILL: +1600 Point total: 53.5Odds courtesy of DraftKingsWhere to watch Indiana vs. Northwestern for free today Belmont Union Local vs. Martins Ferry: Watch Ohio high school football Friday night marquee matchupSunbury Big Walnut vs. Ironton: Watch Ohio high school football showdown live tonightGuardians vs. Red Sox tonight: Where to watch free MLB livestreamHow to watch Cleveland Guardians game for free tonight Robert Fenbers, who has been a freelance journalist since 2015, is the sports commerce reporter for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. Robert focuses on local and national sporting event ticket sales and how...