Ohio State Illinois Line

The undefeated Illinois Fighting Illini host the 3-3 Ohio State Buckeyes this Saturday in Big Ten action.  The odds list Illinois as a 4-point favorite and the total at 43 points.  The Buckeyes have won five of the last six meetings, but it is clear that this is not the same Ohio State football program that we’ve seen in recent years.

Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State’s best asset is its running game, which actually isn’t saying much.  They’ve averaged 169 yards per game on 4.1 yards per carry, but their lack of an effective passing game means that teams will soon stack the box and force them away from what is really their only strength on offense.

The Buckeyes’ passing game has been awful.  They only attempt 22 passes per game and their quarterbacks have completed just 48.5% of their throws this season.

Defensively, Ohio State still packs a punch.  They aren’t as dominant as they have been in years past, but they are allowing just 17.8 yards per game on 308 total yards.  They’ve been particularly good against the run, allowing 117 yards on a respectable 3.6 yards per carry.

Illinois Fighting Illini

The Illini have been one of the biggest surprises in college football this season.  They’ve opened up with a 6-0 record and look like they could be serious contenders in the Big Ten.  They’ve been one of the best rushing teams in the nation this season, running the ball for 226 yards per game on a healthy 4.7 yard per carry average.

Illinois doesn’t pass that often, but quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase has been effective when asked to take to the air.  He’s completing 67% of his passes and has thrown for 1,238 yards and ten touchdowns to just three interceptions.  He’s also run for 347 yards and four touchdowns.  The biggest knock on Scheelhaase is that he relies too much on his legs to try to keep plays alive.  He’s taken 15 sacks already this season and many could have been avoided if he would throw the ball away.

Prediction

Before all of the turmoil went down in Ohio State it would be hard to imagine them playing against Illinois and being an underdog, even considering the success that the Illini have had this season.  With that being said, this simply isn’t that good of an Ohio State team.  Yes, they looked good in the first half against Nebraska, but the better team won and I think it was more shocking that the Buckeyes were ever up at all than it was that they lost the game by the final whistle.  As long as Illinois doesn’t turn the ball over, it looks like they have a great chance at improving to 7-0.

Final Score Prediction:  Illinois 24, Ohio State 17