Ohio State Buckeyes-Illinois Fighting Illini: Know the Opposition

Mascot: Fighting Illini
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (62,870)
2009 Record: 3-9
2010 Record: 2-1
Head Coach: Ron Zook (sixth year at UI, 23-40; ninth year overall, 46-54)
Lettermen Returning: 48 (16 lost)
Returning Starters: Offense (5); Defense (6); Specialists (2)
Base Offense: Power I and Ace (3 receivers)
Base Defense: 4-3
Returning Stars: RB Mikel Leshoure (pictured) & LB Martez Wilson

Notable Alumni
Robert Ebert & Gene Shalit: Film Critics
Chief Illiniwek (Before he got banned due to political correctness)
Gene Hackman: Academy Award winning actor
Red Grange: Charter member of Pro Football Hall of Fame
Dick Butkus: Hall of Fame linebacker
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio: Actress
James Brady: Former Reagan Press Secretary known for hand gun control
Fazlur Khan: Designer and builder of Sears Tower in Chicago

Cheerleading Scouting Report

Illinois Preview

Ohio State takes to the road for the first time this season, heading down to windy Champaign, Illinois to take on Ron Zook's Fighting Illini in a game that begins the Big Ten season for both squads.  After a week off, Illinois should be healthy and ready to go, and would love nothing more than to inflict a loss on the Buckeyes and end their hopes of a national championship.

Although these two teams do not come from states that border one another, it has become a nasty rivalry through the years, possibly because for 89 straight years (1914-2002) the two played each other every season.  Of course it doesn't hurt that OSU and Illinois play for the Illibuck Trophy, a wooden turtle that bears the scores of previous games. 

When this tradition began in 1925, the schools actually played for a live turtle, but after the tortoise met its demise in 1927 it was replaced by a carved wooden replica.  Whatever the reason, this has been a heated rivalry, and Illinois has caused the Buckeyes plenty of trouble through the years.

The Illini offense depends on the ground game, and is led by a fine, dual threat quarterback in redshirt freshman Nathan Scheelhaase.  Much like Terrelle Pryor two years ago, this kid has the tools but is more comfortable and effective running the ball at this point in his career.  In three games he has passed for 380 yards, with three touchdowns and three interceptions, but has run for 204 yards, at just over five yards per carry. 

He is joined in the backfield by talented power back Mikel Leshoure who is averaging over 130 yards per game on the ground, at nearly seven yards per carry.  And if that's not enough, another big, experienced back, Jason Ford, is waiting in the wings.  There is no doubt that Illinois will try to establish the run game, and Ohio State will have their hands full.

When Scheelhaase decides to throw the ball, his main man is junior A.J. Jenkins, a speedy receiver who has 12 catches, 190 yards, and two touchdowns.  Jarred Fayson, a highly coveted prep star who originally went to Florida, has been a solid possession receiver, but has yet to become a downfield threat.  The third receiver is ex-quarterback Eddie McGee who is a big target at 6'4" and is always a threat to throw a pass on an end around.  Tight end is an inexperienced position, featuring a couple of talented freshman who have yet to get very involved in the passing game.  Overall, this is a solid unit, but not one of the Big Ten's best. 

Illinois' offensive line is big and strong, and obviously built to run-block.  Tackle Jeff Allen is the star of this group, which averages nearly 310 pounds per player.  Canton, Ohio native Ryan Palmer mans the other tackle position and is improving as he gets more playing time.  Overall, this line is great at road grating, but may struggle if they have to do a lot of pass protecting. 

Defensively the Illini struggled terribly a season ago, but so far in 2010 look greatly improved.  After three games they are surrendering only 333 yards and 16 points a game.  Although Missouri, Southern Illinois, and Northern Illinois may not have offered the highest level of competition, this is a much better looking defense than last year.  The D-line is anchored by big Corey Liuget, who is an athletic 300-pounder who can plug the run and get to the quarterback.  The rest of the line does not stand out, but they all have nice size and are plenty physical. Watch, however, for end Justin Staples who comes in on passing downs and can pressure the quarterback.

The strength of the Iliini defense is found at linebacker, led by Martez Wilson, who missed most of '09 with a neck injury.  Possessing size (6'4", 250 pounds) and speed, Wilson is a force in the middle, and has 25 tackles thus far, including three for loss. He is bracketed by senior Nate Bussey (19 tackles, 2.5 for loss) and junior Ian Thomas (24 tackles, four for loss).  This group is giving up just over 100 yards a game on the ground, and will not be easy to run against.

In the secondary Illinois has been more susceptible, giving up 230 yards per contest without registering any interceptions to this point. Safties Trulon Henry and Tavon Wilson are big, and better at stopping the rushing game than the passing attack.  At corner, Illinois starts youngster Justin Green, who originally verballed to Ohio State before spurning the Buckeyes on signing day.  He is quick and should become a good one, but is still a little "green" since he played running back in '09.  The other corner, Travon Bellamy has nice size and leads the secondary with 24 tackles, including four for loss. While this is a solid unit, it could be exploited by Terrelle Pryor if he has time to throw. 

Illinois is exceptional in the kicking game as Derek Dimke has yet to miss a kick, and has a 52-yard field goal to his credit.  Punter Anthony Santella is averaging an eye-popping 48.9 per boot.  I am trying not to covet these two specialists.  On the other hand, the return game has been pretty pedestrian thus far for the Illini, which is good news for the beleaguered Buckeye cover unit. 

Game Outlook

This will be a hard-nosed, physical contest, as it always seems to be.  Last year's 30-0 OSU victory aside, most of the Illinois-Ohio State contests this decade have been very competitive.  The team that plays better defense should get the win, although turnovers and special teams could also factor into the outcome.

Illinois will come out and try and establish the run, and will test the Silver Bullets more on the ground than any opponent thus far.  I would expect for the team in orange to have some early success rushing the ball, but feel Heacock and company will make some adjustments and force Scheelhaase to beat them through the air.

Ohio State will attempt to remain balanced, but make no doubt about it, the best chance for success will come through the air.  If Pryor can remain calm as he has thus far in 2010, he will have chances to pick apart the Illini secondary, as well as use his legs to pick up first downs.  But he must be patient, and stay away from forcing things, which usually results in interceptions.   

Last year I had major worries as Ohio State headed to West Lafayette to face Purdue, and I am battling those negative thoughts again.  Knowing that Mike Adams is banged up, with no Marcus Hall to back him up scares me. 

Worrying me more are the injuries in the secondary.  Both Chekwa and Torrence have been dinged, and there is no experienced depth behind them.  With Barnett and Evege done for the year, and Howard nursing an injury, the OSU secondary looks like a triage unit.  Plus fast-developing weapon Jake Stoneburner isn't making the trip to Champaign, leaving tight end very thin.  So there is reason to be concerned.

Still, I think this is a focused team that has excellent chemistry, so I will resist the urge to be negative, and believe that the veterans will come through.  Offensively the Buckeyes have too many weapons, led by the most talented athlete in the country.  If Pryor does not allow a raucous crowd to bother him and avoids turnovers, Ohio State will score enough points to get the job done. Look for the loveable wooden turtle to spend another winter in Columbus.

Father vs. Son Prediction Battle

Dave: OSU 34-17
Drew: OSU 30-13