Ohio State Football: 5 Things We Learned from the Buckeyes' Win vs. Illinois

Well, at least this week Ohio State held on to upset a ranked Big Ten conference opponent. Except this week they did it in a whole different way. 

So what can we take away from this big victory for THE Ohio State University? 

Did the win do enough to save interim head coach, Luke Fickell, from getting replaced at the end of the year? 

Does this win today set off a string of wins, resulting in an eight- or nine-win season? 

Some of these questions and more are answered in the upcoming slides. Give it a click through, as we take a look back at today's upset victory for the Buckeyes. 

1: The Buckeyes Have a Really Good Defense This Year

Coming into this game the Buckeyes were ranked 17th in the NCAA in average points against, only letting up 17 points per game. If Ohio State didn't have their collapse last week against Nebraska, it would have put this team in the 10-to-15 range in points against. 

Today against an Illinois team that was averaging 34 points per game, they shut them down every time they got the ball allowing just seven points. 

Furthermore, the Ohio State secondary did a good job shutting down Big-Ten receiving leader, A.J. Jenkins to only eight receptions for 80 yards and zero touchdowns. 

2: Braxton Miller May Still Be Suffering from That Ankle Sprain

One completion on four passing attempts for 17 yards and one touchdown. That was Braxton's stat line for the ENTIRE GAME. 

No, that wasn't one drive, or a quarter, or the half but the whole bleeping game! 

He did rush 12 times for 34 yards, but one of those runs was for 35 yards. 

So, the game plan was to have Braxton out there since he is the best quarterback on the Buckeye roster. But, if that was their game plan today, how injured is his ankle? That ankle that he injured last week against Nebraska. 

3: Luke Fickell Is a Good Coach

Running the ball 56 times while throwing it four will not win you a lot of popularity votes. He made his offense one-diminsonal and trusted the game to the defense. 

Trusting this defense, after the collapse they suffered last week against Nebraska, took a lot of guts. If this game plan backfires, then the game story is all about how Fickell can't coach. 

But, it worked, as running the ball 92 percent of their offensive plays controlled the clock, giving his defense chances to stay fresh, resulting in a huge upset victory. 

4: Dan Herron Put the Team on His Back Today

Today it was the Dan Herron show for the Ohio State offense. He had a career day in carrying the ball, tying a career number in attempts at 23. While gaining 114 yards and scoring once.

If it wasn't for Herron's huge day, this Ohio State team would of not been able to pull off this shocking upset over the No. 16 ranked Illinois Fighting Illini.  

5: Ohio State Is a Good Football Team

Even with all of the suspensions, even with the loss of their head coach and even with the loss of their senior quarterback, this Ohio State team is still more talented than a lot of the other teams in the Big-Ten. 

Today it proved that the defense can carry this team to a victory every week. 

Now, if this team can find some form of an offense, like it did in the Nebraska game, they could make a run at a New Years Day bowl game this year. 

Twitter: @tjmcaloon