It’s the game before The Game, so while we technically still have to talk about the game, our focus is already turning toward The Game. There’s no stopping it.
The No. 9 Buckeyes (8-2, 6-1) host the No. N/A Illini (2-8, 0-7) Saturday at 3:30 pm.
Ohio State is favored by 41 points, but with a forecast full of wind and rain, the Buckeyes might not even be able to score 41 points.
How do we see things shaking out here?
Tony Gerdeman
I am not expecting greatness from the Ohio State offense due to the dreadful wind and rain. The truly annoying thing about this is that Illinois brought their terrible weather with them and now I’m going to have to deal with it. The Buckeyes have practiced with a wet football this week, so they are somewhat ready for what is about to happen.
I still expect them to throw the ball because they’re stubborn like that. The running game will also flourish. Illinois is 13th in the B1G in rushing defense, allowing 199 yards rushing per game. Mike Weber and J.K. Dobbins could both have 100 yards rushing in this game if the coaches choose to play them that long. I don’t know if they’ll get enough opportunities, though. I don’t see the Illinois offense doing much of anything, and the weather isn’t going to help them at all.
Ohio State 42, Illinois 0
Tom Orr
Two weeks ago, I picked OSU to win by 17. They lost by 31. Last week, I picked the Buckeyes to lose by 6. They won by 45. Total error on the margin of victory: 99 points in two weeks.
I’m slightly concerned that I may accidentally trigger either a Georgia Tech/Cumberland redux or an Illinois win if I pick the game this weekend, so please enjoy this recipe for delicious pancakes instead.
1 cup flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Preheat greased skillet to medium-high heat.
Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Mix in milk, egg, melted butter, vanilla.
Spoon 3-4 tablespoons of batter into skillet for each pancake. PROTIP: Spoon from the bottom, as chocolate chips may have settled.
Let cook 1-2 minutes until bubbles form, then flip.
Brandon Zimmerman
The common theme for this week from the fan base seems simple. Let Ohio State score some points for a quarter or two and then pull every starter. Most fans seem happy if they come out of Saturday’s game with a 10-20 point victory as long as everyone is out by halftime.
I am not in that boat at all. Ohio State has put itself in a position where they NEED style points if they want any chance at the playoffs. The committee/public perception won’t care if the back-ups played three quarters and the weather was horrible. They will see the score was only 31-17 and all that translates to is struggling to a 14-point victory over a two-win team. Ohio State needs to absolutely annihilate Illinois on Saturday to have a chance in the playoffs.
Offensively, I hope the Buckeyes continue to find new ways to get Dobbins and Weber the ball. Last week, we saw them try this thing where Barrett just handed the ball to them. It was crazy and magical all at the same time. As I mentioned on the Sons of Schmidt podcast, the staff can’t simply hide behind “we only called 2 QB runs…the teams are consistently taking away the RB…those aren’t called QB runs”. If the staff knows team after team are choosing to take away Dobbins/Weber on the read option and you continue to run the read option…you are calling a QB run no matter how you spin it.
Defensively, the Buckeyes defensive line should absolutely dominate an Illinois offensive line who starts four freshmen. At linebacker it will be interesting to see what they go with. If it’s me, I go with Baker, Borland, and Worley as my three starters. I’m not ready to give up on Baker just yet. He has too much potential and maybe the past two weeks since the Iowa game was the kick in the butt he needed.
Like I mentioned, Ohio State needs style points. Urban Meyer knows this and he will let them score.
Ohio State 63, Illinois 3
Clair Crawford
There is a great chance that we will see a very vanilla Ohio State game plan against the Illini this weekend. There is also a great chance it won’t matter and the Buckeyes will roll like a freight train downhill on Senior Day.
The Illini are the youngest team in the nation and the Buckeyes will be taking advantage of a starting QB that just took over the job in October with only one go-to target in wide receiver Ricky Smalling. Although Smalling is second in the B1G with just over 17 yards per catch, he’s only managed to rack up two touchdowns on the season. It leads me to believe he lacks the physicality in the red zone to get the job done.
As far as the Illini defense is concerned, defensive lineman James Crawford is leading the B1G in forced fumbles. With a Buckeye offense that has been taking care of the football (with the exception of the Iowa City Massacre) look for the Illini to lean on Crawford to gain an edge. However I predict the Illibuck to remain firmly in the hands of the OSU student body on Saturday.
Buckeyes 42 Illini 10
Mike Meihls
I will start by saying I actually really like Lovie Smith as the Illinois head coach. I think he’s a great Xs & Os coach, is well known in the state, and can really help kids fulfill their dreams of propelling themselves to the NFL. And any talk already of him being replaced is hogwash. Based on his hire date, he’s basically a new coach still.
That being said, there is no way I can even jokingly find a way to say the Illibuck goes back to Illinois. Illinois would have a better chance of kicking the students when they do that “pass the turtle overhead” thing and stealing the trophy than they do of winning the game.
Ohio State is 100% better – coaches, talent, home field, and this is a game that’s barely above Rutgers. It will be a long afternoon because the game will be “boring” in the 1st quarter. Expect a lot of backup PT, and we’ll probably see the “Meyer calls a timeout on offense to pull J.T. so the crowd can give him the standing ovation that he so rightly deserves”.
Buckeyes 55, Illinois 10
Chip Minnich
We had Robert from illiniboard.com on our latest Silver Bullets Podcast, and Robert continually stressed the word ‘youth’ during our interview. As Kyle Morgan has pointed out, and Robert stated the same thing, Illinois has an offensive line consisting of three true freshmen and one redshirt freshman on their offensive line. With a defensive line as deep and talented as Ohio State has, plus an offense that struggles to put points on the board, I am expecting a lot of three and outs from the Illinois offense.
As for the Ohio State offense, with a weather forecast calling for rain, I am expecting a heavy dose of J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber. I am even expecting a healthier dose of Antonio Williams for the second half, when the game is well in hand for the Buckeyes.
I completely agree with the sentiments raised by The Sons Of Schmidt on their latest podcast – here’s to hoping that Coach Meyer pulls the starters early. Yes, I know that this is Senior Day, and these players have given so much to the program, but I am also inclined to follow the mindset of Mr. Tom Orr – the Michigan game is on the horizon, and Ohio State needs all of the starters healthy for THE GAME. J.T. Barrett leaves early in the third quarter to a well-deserved standing ovation from the crowd, and Ohio State rolls.
Ohio State 63, Illinois 7
Caroline Rice
On paper, this is an easy game for Ohio State this weekend if they stay focused on the task at hand and play like they did last week. I think they need to put up a dominant performance and really make a statement win considering they are playing a team that is 2-8, 0-7 in the Big Ten, and is the youngest team in the nation.
Even with everything that is going on in college football right now, the Buckeyes seem focused on getting the Illibuck trophy. There will still be a lot going on in The Shoe this weekend with it being senior day, 19 seniors will be honored, and a lot of the Buckeyes will have their family there with this game closing out the home schedule. I think this will be a special weekend, and the Buckeyes will want to make this a special game for their last run in The Shoe.
Ohio State has won seven straight against Illinois, and lead the all time series. I think the Buckeyes will get a big win this weekend, and potentially rest up some guys for the big game ahead next week.
Ohio State 58, Illinois 10
Kyle Morgan
It is difficult to peg how this team will attack this game with it being Senior Day and all. With an importance of winning “impressively” for the Playoff Committee as well as Meyer possibly wanting to send J.T. Barrett out in style, it is conceivable to see a pass heavy attack. Unfortunately, this is not the most effective way to put up points as we have seen in recent weeks.
The weather could force a more run-heavy approach, and if this is the case, the Buckeyes roll. Illinois is ranked 105th nationally against the run, giving up 199 yards per game. Against ranked opponents, however, their average skyrockets to 272 yards per game. Illinois surrendered 376 yards rushing to USF earlier this season.
I envision a 35-0 score at the half behind a steady run game and an efficient passing attack. The second half should yield a quarter of work by both backup Quarterbacks with a steady mix of run and pass to extend the lead.
Defensively, how demoralizing will it be for the Illini as Baker and Booker finish out a majority of the game, helping the defense to their first shutout since blanking Rutgers 56-0.
Buckeyes roll behind 400 yards of rushing and 200 yards of passing.
Bonus Prediction: Billy Price, J.T. Barrett, Chris Worley and Tracy Sprinkle cry as they embrace Coach Meyer, with Coach Meyer tearing up as he embraces J.T.
Ohio State 55, Illinois 0