Illinois vs. Ohio State: Complete Game Preview

Ohio State passed its latest test, as it continues its quest for a perfect 12-0 season under Urban Meyer.

This Saturday, the Buckeyes host, on paper, the worst team in the Big Ten: the Illinois Fighting Illini.

Fellow first-year coach Tim Beckman has had nowhere near the success Ohio State has with the No. 118 scoring offense in college football.

Will Ohio State breeze through the Illini as expected? Or, will this be another Purdue situation?

Here is a full game preview of Saturday's game between the Buckeyes and the Illini.

Game Day Information

Who: Illinois at Ohio State

Where: Ohio Stadium "The Horseshoe (102,309), Columbus, Ohio.

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Radio:

Ohio:

Akron—1590 AM; Cincinnati—1480 AM; Cleveland—850 AM; Columbus—1460 AM; Columbus—97.1 FM; Toledo—1470 AM; Youngstown—1390 AM

Illinois:

Champaign—1400 AM/97.5 FM; Chicago—560 AM; Peoria—95.5 FM; Springfield—1240 AM

Satellite: Sirius 113

Depth Chart for Illinois

Quarterback: Nathan Scheelhaase, Reilly O'Toole

Running Back: Donovonn Young/Josh Ferguson, Dami Ayoola

Wide Receiver: Darius Millines, Ryan Lankford, Spencer Harris, Justin Hardee, Fritz Rock, Kenny Knight

Tight End: Jon Davis/Evan Wilson, Eddie Viliunas

Offensive Tackle: Hugh Thornton, Simon Cvijanovic, Graham Pocic, Scott McDowell, Patrick Flavin

Offensive Guard: Michael Heitz, Ted Karras, Alex Hill, Tyler Sands

Center: Graham Pocic/Jake Feldmeyer

Defensive End: Justin Staples, Michael Buchanan, Tim Kynard, Darrius Caldwell

Defensive Tackle: Akeem Spence, Glenn Foster, Teko Powell, Austin Teitsma

Linebacker: Jonathan Brown, Mason Monheim, Ashante Williams, Mike Svetina, Houston Bates, Tommy Davis

Cornerback: Terry Hawthorne/Eaton Spence, Justin Green, V'Angelo Bentley

Safety: Steve Hull, Pat Nixon-Youman/Supo Sanni, Earnest Thomas

Depth Chart for Ohio State

Quarterback: Braxton Miller, Kenny Guiton

Running Back: Carlos Hyde, Rod Smith

Wide Receiver: Corey "Philly" Brown, Devin Smith, Jake Stoneburner, Evan Spencer, Michael Thomas, Chris Fields

Tight End: Jeff Heuerman, Nick Vannett

Offensive Tackle: Jack Mewhort, Reid Fragel, Darryl Baldwin, Taylor Decker

Offensive Guard: Andrew Norwell, Marcus Hall, Antonio Underwood, Chase Farris

Center: Corey Linsley, Jacoby Boren

Defensive End: John Simon, Nathan Williams, Noah Spence, Michael Bennett

Defensive Tackle: Johnathan Hankins, Garrett Goebel, Joel Hale, Adolphus Washington

Linebacker: Ryan Shazier, Zach Boren, Josh Perry, Curtis Grant, Conner Crowell, David Perkins

Cornerback: Bradley Roby, Travis Howard, Doran Grant, Adam Griffin

Safety: C.J. Barnett, Christian Bryant, Orhian Johnson, Corey Brown

What Happened to the Illini Last Week?

Illinois' winless season in Big Ten play continued on Saturday as it fell at home to Indiana 31-17, giving Hoosiers' coach Kevin Wilson his first Big Ten win.

The Illini actually outgained Indiana by 80 yards on Saturday but committed eight penalties for 81 yards and fumbled twice.

None of Illinois' six losses have been in single digits and have allowed 31 or more points in each of the last seven games.

What Happened to the Buckeyes Last Week?

Ohio State overcame a slow start to take down Penn State in Happy Valley 35-23, in a game that may not have been as close as the score suggests.

The Buckeyes didn't score until late in the first half but rattled off 28 second-half points to knock off the Nittany Lions and stay undefeated.

Braxton Miller passed for 143 yards, rushed for 134 and accounted for three touchdowns in the win.

What It Means to Both Teams

For Illinois

The Illini want to get former Toledo coach Tim Beckman his first win in the Big Ten on Saturday, which will be no small task in Columbus.

Illinois needs a big win to inspire some confidence and convince fans that the program is rebuilding the right way.

For Ohio State

Another win means the Buckeyes will be a win closer to winning the Leaders Division championship.

They won't get to play in the postseason, obviously. But the goal going into a long-awaited bye week is to improve to 10-0 with a two-game season coming up, starting with a road trip to Wisconsin in two weeks and the season finale against the hated Michigan Wolverines.

This is a game that Ohio State should win easily. They need to prove that by not overlooking the Illini.

Key Player for Illinois: WR Ryan Lankford

Illinois offense may be No. 118 in scoring, but the Illini do have a solid go-to threat in Ryan Lankford.

The junior receiver is, far and away, the team's leading receiver, with 29 receptions for 413 yards and five touchdowns.

The Illini's QB situation has been a concern, but whoever plays between Nathan Scheelhaase and Reilly O'Toole will have a guy they want to get the ball to in Lankford.

Key Player for Ohio State: RB Carlos Hyde

Everyone knows what Braxton Miller can do, but Carlos Hyde has been just as good in the last four weeks as anybody on the team.

Hyde may not have had a big yardage game against Penn State, but he found the end zone for the fourth straight game, recording nine touchdowns in the past four games.

He seemed like a weird fit for Urban Meyer's spread offense but has fit in very well and grown up greatly throughout the year.

Illinois Will Win If...

On paper, it almost seems like there is no chance that Illinois will beat Ohio State in Columbus.

But, they don't play games on paper and college football is a strange game. Remember that Purdue came within three seconds of upsetting Ohio State two weeks ago.

Anything can truly happen. That's the best hope for the Illini, knowing that anything can happen in 60 minutes.

Ohio State Will Win If...

Conversely, it seems Ohio State is, without a doubt, the heavy favorite on Saturday and should win and win big.

The worry for Urban Meyer is that the Buckeyes will look past Illinois to the bye week and take the IIlini lightly.

If they don't look past Illinois, the Buckeyes should win big.

Prediction

Again, this game is one Ohio State should win easily.

It's been said several times this season, yet those times of games have been struggles, especially against UAB and Purdue.

Fortunately for the Buckeyes, they should have no problem this time.

Prediction: Ohio State 51, Illinois 13

Follow me on Twitter @bielik_tim for the latest college football news and updates.