# Northwestern at Indiana? Illinois at Ohio State?

> Week 4 college football picks: Northwestern vs Indiana and Illinois vs Ohio State.
- Title: Northwestern at Indiana? Illinois at Ohio State? | Shortify
- Summary: Week 4 college football picks: Northwestern vs Indiana and Illinois vs Ohio State. Northwestern faces Indiana with a 21-point spread, while Illinois faces…
- Keywords: northwestern, indiana, illinois, ohio state, buckeyes, hoosiers, college football, week 4, point spread, big ten, news, local
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/college-sports/2026/09/24/northwestern-indiana-hoosiers-illinois-ohio-state-buckeyes-notre-dame-purdue-college-football-predictions
- Published: 2026-09-24T20:02:14.409+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: northwestern, indiana, illinois, ohio state, buckeyes, hoosiers, college football, week 4, point spread, big ten, news, local
## Week 4 college football picks
Northwestern (+21) at No. 5 Indiana (7 p.m. Friday, Fox 32, 720-AM) looks a whole lot like a game the Wildcats can’t win.
## Illinois (+27.5) at No. 7 Ohio State
Illinois (+27½) at No. 7 Ohio State (11 a.m., Fox 32, 890-AM) seemingly shapes up likewise.
## Big Ten roster budgets
A recent Athletic report put dollar estimates on the war chests for players at every Big Ten school.
## Ohio State budget
Ohio State ranked at the top of the conference in roster budget at around $50 million.
## Indiana budget
Indiana ranked a couple of notches behind at closer to $40 million.
## Wildcats and Illini budgets
The Wildcats and the Illini were in the low $20s, again, we’re talking millions, in roster budget.
## Bret Bielema on NIL era
Illini coach Bret Bielema said this week: ‘When [the NIL era started in 2021], I literally said, ‘Hey, if I’m within $2 million of Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and Michigan, I’m good. Just let me go. When I’m within $25 million, I’m not so good.’

> When [the NIL era started in 2021], I literally said, ‘Hey, if I’m within $2 million of Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and Michigan, I’m good. Just let me go. When I’m within $25 million, I’m not so good.
## Indiana’s performance
Defending national champion Indiana has cake-walked through three games against North Texas, Howard and Western Kentucky by a combined score of 145-16.
## Indiana’s offense
Transfer quarterback Josh Hoover has been flawless and transfer running back Turbo Richard explosive.
## Indiana’s wideouts
Wideouts Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh, the latter a transfer, too, are as good a pair as the Wildcats will see.
## Indiana’s defense
The Hoosiers’ defense is aggressive in a manner Bears fans might appreciate after seeing the relentless blitzing of the Vikings.
## Wildcats’ recent game
The Wildcats (2-0) opened a lot of eyes last weekend in a 41-7 squashing of Colorado.
## Ohio State’s performance
The Buckeyes (2-1) haven’t quite reached ruthless-dream-killer mode yet, having lost by one point at Texas and not yet gotten their running game on track.
## Illini’s offense
The Illini combo of QB Katin Houser and wideout Collin Dixon, who leads the nation with seven touchdown receptions, will make some noise.
## Illini’s first half
The first half might even be interesting. First quarter, at least?
## Ohio State’s defense
If the Illini (2-1) have any pass rush to speak of, it better show up in a hurry. Otherwise, the deep shots from Julian Sayin to sensational receiver Jeremiah Smith will be like stealing candy from a baby turtle.
## Ohio State’s score
Buckeyes, 38-14.
## Key takeaway

Northwestern faces Indiana with a 21-point spread, while Illinois faces Ohio State with a 27.5-point spread in Week 4 college football games.