Ohio State vs. Illinois Preview
Ohio State Buckeyes 3-3 vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 6-0
October 15, 2011
3:30 pm - ABC
Memorial Stadium
Champaign, Illinois
The Drama: 0 for October
MSU. Nebraska. Illinois. Wisconsin. Yup, that looks like 0-4 for the Buckeyes in October. For all the Ohio State fans that have called into talk shows and spouted that they would rather go winless on the season as long as they beat Michigan I just want to say, “Be careful what you wish for, you may get it.” Ohio State may not win a significant game all year long and will likely lose a game they should win (see Northwestern). Illinois is having a spectacular season and has a great chance to make it to the Big Ten Championship game. I don’t think OSU has anything left but to clean out the coaches offices and get ready for the next regime.
The Buckeyes will win because: Something to prove
Maybe somewhere deep in the psyche of this team there is a little voice screaming “We can do it. We can WIN!” It certainly looked that way through nearly three quarters against Nebraska. The Bucks don’t have the talent or the excellent play calling to win so the only thing left is desire and determination. I hate relying on the intangibles but it’s all that’s left and these Buckeye need to prove to all of us that they deserve to wear the Scarlet and Grey. I’m picking the Buckeyes to lose this week and I want them to prove me WRONG!
The Buckeyes will lose because: No fight left
We all saw it when Braxton Miller went down. The team and the coaches quit. I don’t think the Buckeyes have the heart to compete the season. Illinois is on the verge of a very special season and a win over the Buckeyes will put then solidly in the hunt for a Big Ten championship and maybe more.
The Spartan spotlight is on: WR A.J. Jenkins
With 815 yards and 7 touchdowns already this season, wide receiver A.J. Jenkins should be on everybody’s Heisman watch. Teaming up with a mobile and very accurate quarterback Nathan Sheelhaase, Jenkins should have a big day against one of the weakest Buckeye secondaries in recent memory.
“Cooler” Stat of the game (Macho stats for the water cooler): Illibuck
One of the more lame trophies that teams play for, the Illibuck is a large wooden turtle that is passed to the winning team of the OSU v UI game. It is the second oldest trophy passed between two Big Ten schools. Whoopie-do-dah.
The Bottom line: Illini good. Bucks bad
If the defense is clicking the offense sputters. If the offense is working the defense decides to take a siesta. Seriously, what the heck? When Miller went down I think the entire team was carted off the field because here was no fight left in anyone; coaches or players. A large amount of blame needs to be shouldered by the coaching staff for not being able to play clock management with a quarter and a half left to go and a 21 point lead but a large finger needs to be pointed to the team as well. Illinois is playing really well and the Bucks already seem to be looking to next season and a new coaching staff. If the Buckeyes can get the “Eye of the Tiger” back they will have a chance to make the game interesting but I don’t see it. Illinois is eyeing the Big Ten championship and OSU is in the way.
Prediction: Oskee Wow Wow 34 – Buckeye Battle Cry 17
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By 'Pia' Pete Quint
TBDBITL 1992-96
Buckeye50.com
