Illinois State vs Oklahoma Prediction 8/30/2025 Today’s College Football Picks

The Illinois State Redbirds and the Oklahoma Sooners meet in week 1 college football action from Memorial Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Illinois State Redbirds vs. Oklahoma Sooners prediction.

Illinois State Redbirds Team Preview

The Illinois State Redbirds come into the 2025 season looking to add on to a solid 2024 season where the Redbirds finished 10-4 overall including 6-2 in MVFC conference play. Tommy Rittenhouse is back for his senior season after throwing for 2,840 yards, 17 touchdowns and 7 INTs while rushing for 480 yards and 8 TDs. The Redbirds also bring back their pair of all-conference running backs with Wenkers Wright back after rushing for 1,123 yards and 11 TDs while Mason King rushed for 983 yards and 14 touchdowns. Daniel Sobkowicz is also back after logging 933 receiving yards with 10 TDs in 2023 and 80 catches for 1,108 yards and 9 TDs last year. Eddie Kasper’s also back after logging 52 catches for 440 yards in 2024. On defense, Illinois State loses 10 of their top 13 tacklers, but do get the top dog back after Tye Niekamp logged 112 tackles, 11 TFLs, 3 sacks and 4 INTs while Jake Anderson returns as an anchor on the defensive line. 

Why the Illinois State Redbirds will win

• Oklahoma has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games against non-AP-ranked teams.

Oklahoma Sooners Team Preview

The Oklahoma Sooners will be hoping to rebound from a frustrating 2024 season in which they finished with an overall record of 6-7 including a 2-6 mark in SEC play. The Sooners would fall short in the Armed Forces Bowl, losing 21-20 to Navy. John Mateer takes over QB duties for the Sooners after throwing for over 3,000 yards and 29 TDs while also rushing for 826 yards and 15 scores. The receiving corps can also be lethal for Oklahoma with Deion Burks back, as well as Jayden Gibson with the hope that UAPB transfer Javonnie Gibson can come back at some point this year after an offseason leg injury. Jaydn Ott was a nice get from Cal out of the portal and is alongside returning leading rusher Jovantae Barnes who rushed for 577 yards and 5 TDs. On defense, the Sooners will have to replace Danny Stutsman, but Kip Lewis returns after leading the Sooners with 65 tackles. Robert Spears-Jennings is also back after recording 66 tackles as well for Oklahoma last year and should play a big role in the secondary.

Why the Oklahoma Sooners will win

• Oklahoma has won each of its last 19 games against non-conference opponents at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
• Oklahoma has covered the spread in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Total Points Facts

• Six of Oklahoma’s last seven games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Illinois State Redbirds vs. Oklahoma Sooners Prediction

I’m backing Oklahoma here. I get the case to be made for an underdog in some spots, but this is simply a case of the haves vs. the have nots, as Illinois State may be one of the better teams in the FCS, but this is an Oklahoma team that loaded up, especially at QB with John Mateer, an arm that can flat out go and I think that he does just that in the opener. It’ll be interesting to see when Oklahoma calls off the dogs, but I think it’s all Sooners in this one. Give me Oklahoma.