Game Eleven: Illinois Fighting Illini
Location: Memorial Stadium (Champaign, IL) 12PM EST, ESPN
Head Coach: Ron Zook
Illinois Players Who Were Recruited By Ohio State: LB Martez Wilson, QB Juice Williams, WR Arrelious Benn, WR Cordale Scott, and DL Josh Brent. WR Jeff Cumberland was on Ohio State's radar but was not cleared academically by Ohio State. WR Brian Gamble, LB Justin Staples, and DL Antonio James were all on Ohio State's recruiting radar for a time but were not offered scholarships.
Illinois Rushing Offense vs Ohio State Defense: Illinois' rushing game is a committee effort, led by QB Juice Williams and RB Daniel Dufrene. Illinois does not have a back the caliber of RB Rashard Mendenhall on the roster any longer. Considering how poorly Ohio State played last year against Juice Williams, how Ohio State has traditionally struggled against spread offense quarterbacks/mobile quarterbacks, and how Ohio State had an opportunity to play against Northwestern's Mike Kafka last weekend, this will be THE KEY to the game for Ohio State. If Juice Williams is able to keep drives going, Ohio State may be in for a long day. Considering Ohio State's historical struggles in this area, I give the edge to Illinois. Illinois' rushing offense ranks 6th in The Big Ten, while Ohio State's rushing defense ranks 2nd. Even so, ...
Slight Edge: Illinois
Illinois Passing Offense vs Ohio State Defense: Juice Williams has dramatically improved his passing, leading The Big Ten in passing efficiency. WR Arrelious Benn is the primary weapon for Illinois, with 60 receptions; the next player on Illinois has 21 receptions (Will Judson). Look for Ohio State to match up CB Malcolm Jenkins on WR Arrelious Benn to try and slow Benn down. If Ohio State can negate Benn in the passing game, that will allow Ohio State to focus on QB Juice Williams (see above). Ohio State needs to watch out for TE Jeff Cumberland. Cumberland could present match-up problems for Ohio State's linebackers. Cumberland had a big game against Michigan earlier in the year. Illinois' passing offense ranks 1st in The Big Ten; Ohio State's pass defense ranks 1st in The Big Ten. Something has to give here.
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about 1 month ago
Illinois please win. I want to see state go to the rose bowl.
from about 1 month ago
Johnathan - thanks for your comments. If you want Michigan State to go to the Rose Bowl, they need Ohio State to lose, plus win over Penn State. We'll see how it all turns out.
Thanks again.
about 1 month ago
Juice alwasy gives them probelms and I hope they do not look ahead to Meatchicken. Tougher games than many people think.
from about 1 month ago
Jeff: Thanks for your comments. I agree about Juice Williams giving Ohio State problems, but let's see if they are ready come Saturday. I am more worried for IL than MI.
Thanks again.
about 1 month ago
Ohio State has had this game circled since last season, and they are looking to do one thing this year, cause pain to the Illini. Ohio State will not let off the gas if them get ahead, they will not let up on defense.
The key for the Illini last season was Mendenhall, he is what opened up the field and allowed Juice to become such a force in the OSU game. Now U of I's leading rushers are on a par with the back up RBs on Michgian State in terms of rushing yards. They trail several players like Chris Wells and Sutton who have missed significant time this season. With just having played a purely running QB and seeing Pryor everyday in practice the Juice running factor will be reduced.
That said the Illini cannot play defense and it will take a stupendous effort for them to shut down both Chris Wells and Pryor. Compound that with Juice Williams tendency to turn the ball over, averages 1.4 Ints per game, this could get ugly in favor the Buckeyes
from about 1 month ago
Tom: Thanks for your comments. Let's see how it all shapes out on Sat against the Illini.
Thanks again.
about 1 month ago
It's gonna taste GREAT!
Bucks are 10-1 in "Revenge" games under Tressel
from about 1 month ago
HD: Thanks for your comments. Let's hope so - it should be cold and blustery, i.e., a typical Big Ten battle.
Go Bucks! Thanks again.
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