Ohio State at #15 Illinois

• dwccrew

  

  Ohio State (3-3, 0-2) at #15 Illinois (6-0, 2-0)
  
  The Buckeyes are coming off an epic meltdown loss in Lincoln. Illinois is coming off a fairly easy cupcake win. Will the Buckeyes bounce back and possibly turn the season around (they don't have many more chances to do that) or will they fall for the third week in a row to a talented Illini team?
• dwccrew

  

  Until Ohio State shows that they can put 4 quarters together, I don't see them beating anyone else this season that has above a .500 record.
• Hb31187

  

  Jenkins and Scheelhaase could have some big games
• Mulva

  

  Ohio State wins as long as Bauserman isn't playing. Illinois isn't very good (I feel like I say that about every one of Ohio State's opponents, but it's true every week, and it's especially true this week).
  
  They should have lost to Northwestern - it was 28-10 Wildcats at one point and then they fell apart. They got a good win against Arizona State but it was also a total fluke. Illini were outgained by 120 yards, ASU threw an INT at the Illinois 2 yard line and missed a 32 yard field goal. And they only beat Western Michigan by 3.
  
  The Nebraska game went much better than I thought it would, so I have no reason to be less optimistic about this one than I would have been a week ago.
• dwccrew

  

  Mulva;928502 wrote:Ohio State wins as long as Bauserman isn't playing. Illinois isn't very good (I feel like I say that about every one of Ohio State's opponents, but it's true every week, and it's especially true this week).
  
  They should have lost to Northwestern - it was 28-10 Wildcats at one point and then they fell apart. They got a good win against Arizona State but it was also a total fluke. Illini were outgained by 120 yards, ASU threw an INT at the Illinois 2 yard line and missed a 32 yard field goal. And they only beat Western Michigan by 3.
  
  The Nebraska game went much better than I thought it would, so I have no reason to be less optimistic about this one than I would have been a week ago.

  I wish I could mirror your optimism, but if you thought that the debacle meltdown of a Nebraska game went better than you expected, how could you think OSU will beat Illinois? OSU can't put a complete game together (made evident in the Nebraska game) and Illinois is probably just as good as NEbraska, maybe slightly below Nebraska. Nebraska is overrated and Bo Pelini is also overrated as a HC.
• Mulva

  

  dwccrew;928506 wrote:I wish I could mirror your optimism, but if you thought that the debacle meltdown of a Nebraska game went better than you expected, how could you think OSU will beat Illinois? OSU can't put a complete game together (made evident in the Nebraska game) and Illinois is probably just as good as NEbraska, maybe slightly below Nebraska. Nebraska is overrated and Bo Pelini is also overrated as a HC.

  I thought Nebraska would beat us by 2 TDs and be in total control the entire way (I think my prediction was 24-10). As horrible as the meltdown was, in order for the meltdown to happen we had to be up 27-6 at one point, which was impressive.
  
  I agree Nebraska and Pelini are both overrated (I think Wisconsin and maybe Michigan are the only legit top 25 teams in the conference), but they're still better than Illinois.
  
  We'll see though. I wouldn't be completely shocked at a loss, but I feel more confident about this game than I have about any outside of the 3 wins so far.
• j_crazy

  

  Boom and hall back? Maybe we got a chance. Adams seemed to be a difference maker making his return. Without braxton OSU goes down by 17, with him, win by 7. Not that I think he is a 24 point influence by himself, but everyone (defense included) played better with him in the lineup.
• dwccrew

  

  Mulva;928513 wrote:I thought Nebraska would beat us by 2 TDs and be in total control the entire way (I think my prediction was 24-10). As horrible as the meltdown was, in order for the meltdown to happen we had to be up 27-6 at one point, which was impressive.
  
  I agree Nebraska and Pelini are both overrated (I think Wisconsin and maybe Michigan are the only legit top 25 teams in the conference), but they're still better than Illinois.
  
  We'll see though. I wouldn't be completely shocked at a loss, but I feel more confident about this game than I have about any outside of the 3 wins so far.

  Makes more sense. I hope you are right and the Bucks get the win, but I am more of pessimist than you are apparently.
• thedynasty1998

  

  I'm not so sure Nebraska is better than Illinois. This will be the best offense OSU has seen, so that's a little scary if the OSU offense is mediocre again (being generous with mediocre).
• WebFire

  Mulva;928502 wrote:Illinois isn't very good

  I definitely wouldn't sleep on Illinois.
• Y-Town Steelhound

  

  It all comes down to Bauserman. If he sees snaps, OSU has no chance.....really is as simple is that.
• Scarlet_Buckeye

  

  Having Dan Herron back will be huge. While Hall has been spectacular providing relief, Herron will certainly be an upgrade. The biggest benefit, however, from this move will be allowing us to move Jordan Hall to the slot. With our receiving core as depleted as it is, this will be a much needed boost.
• Scarlet_Buckeye

  

  j_crazy;928518 wrote:Adams seemed to be a difference maker making his return.

  Adams looked good and seemed to provide a nice boost on the offensive line.
• SnotBubbles

  

  
  
  

  Mulva;928502 wrote:Illinois isn't very good (I feel like I say that about every one of Ohio State's opponents, but it's true every week, and it's especially true this week).

  
  
  LOL. I hope the team is thinking that same thing.
  
  This is one of the best Illinois teams I've seen in my lifetime. I've watched every minute of every game this year, except a the first half Saturday against Indiana. They can dominate on Defense and their Offense will keep them in any game (Scheelhaase is the best all-around QB I can remember at U of I). They've struggled (mostly in the Northwestern game), but they turned it on and were unstoppable. Northwestern didn't give the game away, the Illini started playing to their potential and dominated late in that game. (and keep in mind many had Northwestern in the Top 25 in the preseason)
  
  As an Illinois fan, OSU always scares me...this year is no different. I was really hoping they'd win Saturday night. I don't like them coming into Illinois after a close lose, where they gave a game away. The Illini haven't been 6-0 since the late 50's. I love college football and don't get to be excited too often (about once every 5 years).
  
  Scheelhaase is only a Sophomore. I'm excited about the future of this team too.
  
  Should be a great game on Saturday, I expect it to be close and could see either team winning.
• rightfield

  [QUOTET=Y-Town Steelhound;928668]It all comes down to Bauserman. If he sees snaps, OSU has no chance.....really is as simple is that.[/QUOTE]
  This may seem like a over- simplifying of the game but this is the game wrapped up in one sentence. Short and to the point.
• stroups

  

  Yep, it all depends on who starts at qb for Ohio State. If Guiton or Miller starts then we have a good chance, if not then we will bet beat no doubt.
• WebFire

  This seems odd, but I thought OSU would play Nebraska closer than what OSU fans did. This week, I feel like Illinois will win by more than OSU fans think. I think we find out this week that Illinois is a pretty good football team.
• Y-Town Steelhound

  

  Illinois is good this year, but after watching them I feel like the 09 Juice Williams/Mendenhall team that wen to the Rose Bowl (and really even the team they had with Kurt Kittner) was better. It will definitely be a tough game though.
• FatHobbit

  

  Illinois is good this year and sadly Ohio State is not. We always struggle in Champaign and I don't think this year will turn out well for us.
• Writerbuckeye

  

  WebFire;928739 wrote:This seems odd, but I thought OSU would play Nebraska closer than what OSU fans did. This week, I feel like Illinois will win by more than OSU fans think. I think we find out this week that Illinois is a pretty good football team.

  If you're trying to gauge how good Illinois is with a win over OSU -- that's an epic fail. OSU is not a very good football team; and if Bauserman plays, they are downright awful. He's so bad, he takes the air out of an entire football team when he comes onto the field. We all saw it at Nebraska.
  
  If anyone but Miller plays at QB, this game won't be close. They're talking about Guiton starting if Miller can't go...but Bauserman is still the backup. That tells me these coaches don't have a clue, even now. Why is Bauserman the backup and not Taylor Graham? There's no way Graham is worse than Bauserman; I don't care what the coaches say -- because, quite frankly, these coaches are so bad they now have to lie when being asked questions on their decisions.
  
  If Miller is healthy enough to play and still be mobile, this game is close. I still think Illinois wins, though. OSU always seems to struggle at Illinois, even when they've had very good teams.
• WebFire

  Writerbuckeye;928819 wrote:If you're trying to gauge how good Illinois is with a win over OSU -- that's an epic fail.

  Hmmm. That's an epic fail in your book?
  
  I didn't mean a win for Illinois would gauge how good they are, but rather that I think Illinois IS good and therefore the game may not be close.
• Writerbuckeye

  

  WebFire;928831 wrote:Hmmm. That's an epic fail in your book?
  
  I didn't mean a win for Illinois would gauge how good they are, but rather that I think Illinois IS good and therefore the game may not be close.

  This season -- it's an epic fail, for sure. This is arguably the worst OSU team I've seen in a long time -- maybe since Cooper's first season. And even that team could score more regularly than this one.
  
  I don't see any more than 2 more wins for this team, at this point. If Miller somehow manages to get healthy and miraculously stays that way the rest of the season, they could possibly win a game or two more, but I honestly don't see it happening.
  
  They are 5-7, at best. And I wouldn't be shocked if Purdue beat them. Remember: they are getting basically zero coaching during games. Even Heacock did not make defensive adjustments in the Nebraska game, when they were getting gashed over and over by the same couple plays.
• j_crazy

  

  Scheelhasse almost did it last year. I think he pulls it off for sure this year.
• jhay78

  

  Feel a little better about OSU's chances in this game. If the defense can tighten up a little and contain Illinois' offense, I think there's a chance. Seems like the offense has figured some things out, but if Bauserman plays, forget it.
  
  OSU- 30
  Illinois- 24
• Writerbuckeye

  

  jhay78;928884 wrote:Feel a little better about OSU's chances in this game. If the defense can tighten up a little and contain Illinois' offense, I think there's a chance. Seems like the offense has figured some things out, but if Bauserman plays, forget it.
  
  OSU- 30
  Illinois- 24

  OSU has released the roster for this game: Miller is the starter, and Bauserman is the backup. Do you really believe Bauserman won't play, given Miller's ankle?
  
  This staff is so inept, I want them fired as soon as the whistle blows ending the UM game.