Posts from November 7, 2007

Now that the VooDoo game (Wisconsin) is behind us, the Buckeyes focus is going to be centered on the next two games, one at a time. Everybody is talking about the Bucks coming back after getting behind to the Badgers, but I was more impressed that they didn’t get out of their game plan and just picked up the pace of play. Not that they were lazy in the first half, but they were kind of traveling at 55 mph and then picked it up to 65 in the second half. No panic, no throwing the ball deep down field for a quick score…..just give the ball to Beanie, let the line block, make the safeties creep up and then rack up some scores.

Now the Illini come to town. Ron Zook (former OSU coach) knows what it is to be in the Shoe and will relate that to his players. But …..the Illini have not had much luck in Ohio Stadium and probably won’t this year. Don’t get me wrong….they are a much improved team, but I don’t think a running QB with an average arm is going to beat this OSU defense. Juice Williams is a dynamic player, but if you contain his running he has thrown more picks than TDs and his backup Magee, who they think is the thrower, has 3 picks and only 1 TD. If Illinois is going to win, it has to start with TB Mendenhall. If he gets the running game going straight at the Bucks D, that will make Juice way more effective. If he doesn’t, the fighting Illini will struggle to score and the Bucks will go 11-0.

As far as the Illini D, they have a very good linebacker in J Leman and always are talented in the backfield. But I don’t think they can go 4 quarters with the consistent Buckeye offense. The Bucks need to control the basics of the game: time of possession, field position and turnovers. The Illini D is giving up over 110 yards per game rushing and 19 points per game which doesn’t make their job any easier against the Buckeyes. I just think the Bucks have too much firepower and will get the job done early.

They have some quality wins over Syracuse, Wisconsin and Penn St. But of course those teams have proved to be average and they had a bad loss to Iowa in Iowa City. I think the Illini are definitely an improved football team, but are probably not ready to contend for a Big Ten championship.

Buckeyes will 27-10

Popularity: 24% [?]

Ohio State ran its record to 12-0, but needed an overtime session to down Illinois, 23-16, on a cold, windy day in Champaign. It was the first overtime game for the Buckeyes.

Ohio State jumped out to a 6-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Illinois narrowed the margin to 6-3 at halftime and took a 10-6 lead early in the third quarter on a 19-yard pass from John Beutjer to Walter Young. Eugene Wilson set up the score with a 52-yard punt return to the OSU 23.

The Buckeyes came right back to take the lead on their next possession — Craig Krenzel teaming up with split end Michael Jenkins from 50 yards out.

With OSU leading 16-13 in the closing minute of regulation play, Illinois marched from its own 25 to the Ohio State 31 and kicked a 48-yard field goal to tie the game as time expired.

Ohio State struck first in the extra session, scoring on an 8-yard run by Maurice Hall on third down. Krenzel kept the drive alive with a key 14-yard scramble from the 25.

Illinois then took its turn, but when tackle Tim Anderson batted down a fourth-down Beutjer pass, the Buckeyes were 12-0 for the first time in school history.

Linebacker Matt Wilhelm had 12 tackles for the Buckeyes and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week following the game.

Jenkins had a game-high 147 yards receiving on six grabs, while Hall paced the Buckeyes on the ground with 69 yards on 17 carries.

Article First Published at OhioStateBuckeyes.com

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