Ohio State at Illinois

[Style]

Here's the place to talk about this week's game. Should be another route, as the Buckeyes travel to Champaign. Look for the starters to be on the sidelines for the fourth quarter, once again.

Speaking of which, with the way JT has been subbing guys liberally all game, and with the starters not even on the field for the fourth quarter of nearly every game this year, I'm not sweating losing anyone for next year, with the lone exception of Troy Smith. When you lose a starter, but replace him with a guy who not only has as much talent, but has had nearly as much PT, there's going to be no drop off. I love what JT has going. I like how Chris Speilman puts it: "It's like Storm Troopers on Star Wars. If one guy goes down, another guy steps in who looks just like him."

Game Data: http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/585309.html
Tressel Press Conference: http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/585285.html
Bucknuts Radio Hour: http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/508613.html

Breaking It Down

* When Ohio State Has The Ball: There are some interesting aspects to Saturday’s otherwise not-so-interesting game at Illinois. For instance: Ohio State is No. 1 in the Big Ten in rushing offense in conference games with an average of 214.0 yards per game. Illinois’ run defense is the best OSU will face in the Big Ten this year – other than Michigan’s, of course. The Illini are third in Big Ten games in rushing defense at 104.8 yards per game allowed.

Linebacker J Leman will go over 100 tackles on the year in this game and I think he could play almost anywhere in the country. He’s pretty good. So, it will be interesting to see if Antonio Pittman, Chris Wells and the offensive line can keep their recent string of fine performances going.

Illinois is middle-of-the-road in pass defense, allowing 193.6 yards per game in conference games. My experience is Memorial Stadium is usually akin to a wind tunnel, so Troy Smith’s passing opportunities may not be as prevalent. Anthony Gonzalez (concussion) and Ted Ginn Jr. (broken toe) just need to get healthy, so it may be on Brian Robiskie, Brian Hartline and others to come up with big chunks of yards through the air.

But OSU’s offense, as a whole, has been on a real roll of late. The Buckeyes have scored 35 or more points in their last five games and I think that string will continue at Illinois.

* When Illinois Has The Ball: Ron Zook made the move to Juice Williams at quarterback about the time the Illini got crushed at Rutgers 33-0. Williams has had an up-and-down freshman year, but it’s clear he is the future at that position for the Illini. He is getting a ton of on-the-job training.

Two weeks ago, OSU made life real difficult for Indiana freshman QB Kellen Lewis. The smart money is the Buckeyes will come after Williams early and often. But the key is Williams has running ability and that can be a lot for even OSU’s defense to handle.

Illinois has been solid in the running game, ranking second only to OSU in Big Ten games this year (181.0 ypg). The Illini have used E.B. Halsey, Rashard Mendenhall and Pierre Thomas to tote the rock. OSU’s run defense is starting to really come together after Indiana and Minnesota each finished with less than 50 yards rushing.

* How It Will Go: Illinois has been so close in recent weeks. The Illini gave up late leads against Indiana and Ohio U. and they probably outplayed Penn State and Wisconsin. But all they have to show for those performances is four losses.

Indiana, if you will recall, was playing good football when it came into Ohio Stadium two weeks ago. You saw how well that went with OSU rolling to an easy 44-3 win. So, the thought is Ohio State will go into Illinois and try and grab control of the game early. They can do that by getting after Williams and forcing him into some costly mistakes.

The Buckeyes have had three straight command performances. You would think they need to let off the gas pedal at some point. But Jim Tressel seems to be playing a pat hand and I think this roll will continue for a while longer. I’ve predicted 44 points for OSU two weeks in a row and that’s how it has gone. You never mess with a winning formula. I’ve got it: Ohio State 44-6

 

[cavincali]

This game is already over.

 

[Style]

Just listened to the Bucknuts radio hour:

"Juice Williams is going to be under more pressure than Charlie Weiss's belt!" :chuckles:

 

[Style]

Game Summary: http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/586664.html
Game Photos: http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/586836.html
Captains Corner: http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/586840.html

So what did you guys think?

The first half was pure dominance. Ohio State did whatever they wanted on offense, and defensively they slammed the door. Not only were they throwing a shutout, but outside of that one big run they gave up almost no yards.

The second half was the exact opposite. The Illini defense completely dominated, holding the Buckeyes to 29 yards (that's not a typo) and outscoring Ohio State 10-0.

Was it complacency? Was it Illinoise playing their tails off? We are talking about a team who one week lost to Rutgers 33-0 and another week really should have beaten Wisconson (but lost by 4). Did Ohio State get the team Rutgers played the first half and the team Wisky played the second?

It was an extremely windy day. Weather can be a great equalizer. Also, the Buckeyes were with out starting left tackle Alex Boone. All those times you saw Smith get pressured and sacked, it was coming over the left tackle. Also, most of the big runs Pittman has gotten this year have been running to the left. The Buckeyes were definitely missing big Alex. Those are not very good excuses b/c everyone has injuries and both teams had to deal with the weather, but I thought I'd throw that out there.

Speaking of Boone, what's the word on him? How long is he out, and with what injury?

On the bright side, at least Ohio State's close victory was against a Big Ten team, instead of, oh, I don't know, let's say a MAC team. **cough**Michigan**cough**

 

[cavincali]

Not impressed, only saw/listened to the second half.

Looks like Tressel knew the defense would win the game and decided to play it safe.

 

[cdt]

JT pulled the plug too early...you can't let your foot off the gas too early because it's not always automatic that you put it back on..

 

[Style]

You guys seriously think this was all JT? Ohio State didn't execute. Illinois did. It looked to me more in the second half like Ohio State was simply outplayed, not out coached. Illinoise wanted it and was bringing it. The silver bullets did pretty good still. They only gave up 233 yards, and one of Illinoise's two measily scores happened b/c their punt return team gave them awesome field position. Really, the defense gave up just one score, that TD late in the game. But the offense, on the other hand, was getting it handed to them. The OL in particular wasn't blocking anyone. I was feeling bad for Pittman.

I've gotta give Illinois credit here. They played their hearts out in that second half. Keep in mind this team lost to Wisky last week by just 4 points. Zook has them headed in the right direction.