Buckeyes Preview 11/18/17: Illinois Fighting Illini @ Ohio State

By Jason Disantis, @JasonInCLE


After getting blown out by an Iowa team that was an 18-point underdog the hopes and dreams of a National Championship seemed all but lost for the Buckeyes. It was Ohio State’s second loss of the year and put them firmly behind a host of undefeated and one-loss teams. Despite the playoff hopes of the Buckeyes turning grim they were still in control of their Big Ten destiny. If they won out they would be playing for a Big Ten championship.

For many fans last week’s game against No.12 Michigan State was more than just a game. It was a picture into the minds of these Buckeye’s.

One of the biggest criticisms of former Buckeye coach John Cooper was that he sold Ohio State as a path to the NFL. As a result, his players didn’t always love or care about winning for Ohio State. Their focus was on making it pro. I have heard former players say that was the reason they lost to Michigan every year, despite being more talented.

With National Championship hopes almost gone, a question loomed of whether or not this Buckeye team would show up against Michigan State.

How much did they care about a Big Ten championship? How much would players from Florida or Texas care about winning for Ohio State? Remember, head coach Urban Meyer has expanded his recruiting for Ohio State farther beyond the walls of Ohio than any coach before him. And while he has been rewarded with possibly the most talented team in the nation for his efforts, the question of love for school remained.

Last week that question was answered with an emphatic statement not just to the Big Ten, but to the rest of the nation with a 48-3 dismantling of Michigan State.

From the opening drive the Buckeyes dominated the Spartans. It was easily Ohio State’s best and most balanced game this year and continued their path to a Big Ten championship.

“Credit to the leadership and the young guys following our lead,” said junior defensive end Sam Hubbard. “We had a meeting early in the week talking about the Big Ten standings and what we needed to do from here on out. It was mentioned that if we won this game we would swap as head in the Big Ten East and that was our focus.”

The other question many Buckeye’s fans had was answered Tuesday night: Will the two-loss Buckeyes have a shot to get back in the playoff hunt?

Ohio State sat at No.13 before last Saturday but with a big win and Georgia and Notre Dame both losing on Tuesday night the rankings committee moved them all the way up to No.9. It was a jump that, depending on who you talk to, gave the Buckeyes a shot to get back in the playoffs.

1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Miami
4. Oklahoma
5. Wisconsin
6. Auburn
7. Georgia
8. Notre Dame
9. Ohio State

Without breaking down everyone’s schedule I’ll give the cliff-notes version of how Ohio State can get back to the playoff.
Obviously Ohio State needs to win out which would put them above Notre Dame and Wisconsin (moves them to #7). If Alabama wins out it means Auburn would get a third loss and Georgia would again lose (moves them to #5). Clemson and Miami will most likely play in the ACC championship game and the committee would have to drop the loser of that game just one spot to keep them in the top 4 and keep Ohio State out. Unless Clemson and Miami play a triple overtime greatest college game in history it would be tough to keep Ohio State out at that point.

So to put it simply, if Ohio State and Alabama win-out there is a real good chance the Buckeyes will find themselves in the playoff.




But all of this talk about playoffs and Big Ten championships means nothing if the Buckeyes can’t take care of business against the 2-8 (0-7 Big Ten) Fighting Illini of Illinois. And head coach Urban Meyer knows it.

“There will be zero conversation around here [about the playoff], especially when you guys talk to the players there will be zero conversation about what happened before and what’s going to happen in the future,” Meyer said. “Zero.”

After starting the year 2-0 second year head coach Lovie Smith and the Illini have dropped 8 straight. At this point in the year the only motivation the Illini have is playing spoiler and Smith is pushing that mindset.

“I think the guys are looking for a great opportunity,” Smith said. “Where we are in our season, two games left to go… you’re last road game is playing against a team like this?”

As the Buckeyes prepare for their last home game of the season the focus is on Illinois. Not Big Ten Championships. Not National Championships. All of that stuff will take care of itself as long as Ohio State takes care of business.



What: Ohio State Buckeyes vs Illinois Fighting Illini
When: Saturday November 18, 2017 at 3:30 PM ET
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Watch: ABC
Spread: OSU -41
Over/Under: 54
Money Line: OSU -16964, IL +27500

On The Mark 11.15.15: #Buckeyes vs. Illinois Recap

Elliot, defense lead the Buckeyes to a 28-3 win over the Fighting Illini
By @MarkW2112

J.T. Barrett returned to start at quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes against the Illinois Fighting Illini in Champaign this afternoon. But it was Ezekiel Elliot who was the true star on offense as well as a tough as nails defense who lead the way to a 28-3 victory.

Elliott had 181 yards and 2 touchdowns, his 15th game in a row of 100 rushing yards or more. Barrett had 150 yards passing and 74 yards rushing with a passing touchdown to Michael Thomas and one rushing touchdown. The game started out with the Buckeyes at the Illini goal line but twice the refs denied touchdowns to Barrett at the goal line which led to a missed field goal. After that, the offense did have it's struggles, especially on the offensive line, but the Buckeyes were able to move the ball and score when needed.

On defense, the Buckeyes were relentless against quaterback Wes Lent and the Illini offense. Lent did throw for 241 yards but was only able to get his team 3 points. The Buckeyes were able to hold the Illini to 20 yards total rushing yards. It was a long day due to spectacular plays by Joey Bosa, Raekwon McMillen and the Buckeyes secondary.

My take: The Buckeyes appeared to take this game very conservatively, more than likely keeping their full deck of cards close to the vest. While sluggish in spots, the Buckeyes offense were able to score when they needed to.

Player of the game: Ezekiel Elliott with his 181 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns.

Next for the Buckeyes: Michigan State at the Horseshoe next Saturday at 3:30 PM on ABC

#Buckeyes Preview 11.13.15: Ohio State @ #Illinois Fighting Illini

By @jddisantis

The third ranked Buckeyes (9-0, 5-0 Big Ten) will travel to Champaign on Saturday to take on the Fighting Illini of Illinois (5-4, 2-3 Big Ten). With Cardale Jones back at quarterback, Ohio State showed some of the same struggles it did previously in the season.  With J.T. Barrett back under center after serving a one game suspension, the Buckeyes will look to regain their chemistry and tempo on offense. With their two biggest games of the year coming after Illinois, the Buckeyes will need to stay focused on the task at hand and not get caught looking ahead.

The offense against the Gophers was once again stalled with Cardale Jones at quarterback.  The Buckeyes totaled their fewest amount of offense in Big Ten play this year racking up only 376 yards.  Coach Urban Meyer has brought calm back to the Buckeye faithful, as he named J.T. the starter for this weekend.  "(Barrett) will be the starter unless he does not have a good week of practice," Meyer said.

Ezekiel Elliott continued his 100-yard game streak to 14 as he racked up 114 and a touchdown on 26 carries.  But despite his success against Minnesota he averaged his second lowest yards per carry of the year at 4.4.  Zeke will be looking forward to the return of J.T. Barrett as well.

Illinois has lost three of their last four but are coming off of a 48-14 win against Purdue.  The Fighting Illini have had a lot of changeover this season.  Earlier this year head coach Tim Beckman was fired and interim coach Bill Cubit took over.  Earlier this week the school fired athletic director Mike Thomas.  Despite the changeover the Illini will be looking to return to bowl season this year with a sixth win and end the season on a better note than it started.

What:  Ohio State University vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
When:  Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 12:00PM ET
Where:  Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL
Watch:  ABC
Line:  OSU -15, O/U 55

On The Mark 11.1.14: #Buckeyes vs. #Illinois Preview

By @MarkW2112

The Ohio State Buckeyes,coming off a tough but still satisfying 31-24 win against Penn State Nittany Lions, face the 4-4 Illinois Fighting Illini for the Illibuck trophy Saturday night at 8 PM on ABC.  It's another nationally televised event but this time it's in the happy confines of the Horseshoe in Columbus.

After a very rough game in Happy Valley, J.T. Barrett looks to get back on track against an Illini team that may be 4-4 but does have much better talent than in recent years.  The Buckeyes defense, lead by defensive linemen Joey Bosa, look to squash Illini quarterback Reilly O'Toole in to the turf.  However, O'Toole does have some mobility, which could be an issue.

My take:  The Buckeyes will be back to their offensive ways Saturday night.  The Illini will put up a fight like the Nittany Lions did, but the Bucks are a much more explosive team.

Prediction: I've been way off on my predictions of late.  I'll just say the Bucks will win this one.

What: Illinois Fighting Illini at Ohio State Buckeyes
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
Time: 8 PM EST
TV: ABC, ESPN3