Ohio State Football: Game-by-Game Predictions for the Month of November

On the heels of a closer-than-expected victory against Penn State in double overtime, Ohio State's Big Ten title hopes—and by extension, its College Football Playoff aspirations—remain intact as the calendar turns to November.

With the Buckeyes already having two bye weeks this season, the month is jam-packed with five games for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes.

Can Ohio State bounce back from a disappointing performance against the Nittany Lions and surge through a tough November slate? 

Illinois

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Back at home in the friendly confines of Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes will roll against an overmatched Illinois team.

Urban Meyer will lighten the load for J.T. Barrett after the quarterback suffered a sprained knee against Penn State last Saturday. Barrett will get the ball to his receivers downfield in the passing game—something Ohio State failed to do against Penn State—taking advantage of Illinois' middle-of-the-pack pass defense that ranks 53rd nationally. 

Ezekiel Elliott will be the star of the game, though, running for 155 yards and three touchdowns. Joey Bosa will add two more sacks to a resume that's improving on a weakly basis as the Buckeyes cruise. 

Prediction: Ohio State 52, Illinois 13

Michigan State

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Ohio State has waited 11 months for another shot at Michigan State, but a strong Spartans defense and a hostile road environment in prime time will be too much for the Buckeyes to overcome.

Michigan's State's defensive front will overwhelm Ohio State's erratic offensive line, getting to J.T. Barrett early and often. Like the Penn State game, Ohio State's passing attack will wilt under the pressure, and Barrett will complete just 50 percent of his passes for 140 yards and an interception. 

The Buckeyes running game will be held in check as well. Ezekiel Elliott will have a decent game, rushing for 80 yards and a touchdown, but Ohio State will fail to break the 150-yard mark in a frustrating offensive performance.

The defense will be stout, holding the Spartans to season-lows in points and total yardage. It won't be enough, though, as Urban Meyer drops his second game to Mark Dantonio in as many meetings. 

Prediction: Michigan State 24, Ohio State 16

Minnesota

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Minnesota will be in the wrong place at the wrong time the following week, serving as the Buckeyes' therapy as they work out their aggression in a blowout victory.

It will be a frigid day in Minneapolis, but it won't affect Ohio State. J.T. Barrett will bounce back from the disappointing Michigan State game, throwing for 260 yards and three touchdowns while adding another 60 yards and a score on the ground. Michael Thomas will be the big beneficiary, hauling in a season-high nine catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

The Buckeyes will focus on shutting down David Cobb and the Gophers' rushing attack. Minnesota will manage only 110 rushing yards, and Mitch Leidner will throw three interceptions, one of which will be returned for a touchdown by Vonn Bell. 

Prediction: Ohio State 42, Minnesota 17

Indiana

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Kevin Wilson's high-flying Indiana team won't be able to keep pace in Columbus when Ohio State flexes its muscle the week before Michigan comes to town.

The Buckeyes will jump all over the Hoosiers in the first quarter, scoring three unanswered touchdowns to open the game. J.T. Barrett will gash an overmatched secondary, throwing for a career-high 390 yards to complement four touchdowns. Two of those touchdowns will go to Dontre Wilson, who will have his best game of the season as he piles up 160 total yards.

After falling into a 38-7 deficit at halftime, Indiana will find a groove in the second half, mainly against Ohio State's second-team defense. Shane Wynn will score on two long touchdown passes, but that won't be enough as Ezekiel Elliott and the Buckeyes running game churn out big yards and kill the clock. 

Prediction: Ohio State 59, Indiana 27

Michigan

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In the season finale against its hated rival, Ohio State will notch the blowout it was supposed to get last year. 

The Buckeyes will grind things out offensively as J.T. Barrett has a modest day. The redshirt freshman will throw for 190 yards and two touchdowns to complement a rushing attack that adds 225 yards to the mix, but the day will belong to the defense.

Joey Bosa and Michael Bennett will terrorize Devin Gardner all day, combining for four sacks and two forced fumbles. One of those will be scooped up by Joshua Perry and returned 40 yards for a touchdown—the first of two defensive scores the unit will register.

The Wolverines will fail to break 200 total yards, and their only touchdown of the day will come late in the fourth quarter after Dennis Norfleet returns a kickoff 70 yards, deep into Ohio State territory. 

Prediction: Ohio State 34, Michigan 13

Bonus Prediction: Two days after the blowout loss, Michigan will fire Brady Hoke.

All stats via NCAA.com.

David Regimbal covers Ohio State football for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.