Ezekiel Elliot has continued to be a consistent workhorse, and he rushed for 114 yards and a TD in the win over Minnesota, while notching his 14th straight 100-plus yard game. The performance extended Elliott’s FBS-leading streak to 14-consecutive games with at least 100 yards rushing. Two years ago, the Buckeyes dominated the Illini 60-35. The previous five games were won by the average score of 22-13. “But J.T., he’s risky”. The Buckeyes, as a result, might control the game on the ground. Ohio State running backs have a history of huge games against the Illini, and in 2013 the Buckeyes rolled up 441 rushing yards while scoring 60.
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But the biggest difference in this year’s Illini and Illinois’ teams of the recent past is that it can play a little defense.
The playoff selection committee respects the Buckeyes enough to rank them third but doesn’t know quite what to make of them either. These Illini are more competitive, and they’ll have the wind on their side. Despite an extremely tough road, there is no reason to believe that the Buckeyes can not be serious contenders for a Big Ten championship, and beyond that, a deep run in the NCAA tournament.
“I guess I’m not that sentimental”, Karras said.
But there’s no place in the Big Ten quite like Champaign.
It’s not likely if you listen to national forecasters, who predict the talent-rich Buckeyes are primed to kick in another powerful stretch run. We’ve got three games left – we could have a really, really special season here. Athletic director Mike Thomas, who made that hire, was sacked this week after the release of the report.
After serving his one game suspension, JT Barrett stands poised to reclaim his position as starting quarterback for Ohio State (9-0, 5-0). Getting there could help interim coach Bill Cubit ern the job on a permanent basis.
As for the future, he offered: “I’m as energized as I’ve been in a long time. I’m going to recruit like the head coach; I’m going to coach like the head coach”. “I’m going to go out there and do everything I can for these kids”.
Addressing the controversial question of how injuries are handled – an issue that brought down coach Tim Beckman – Cubit explained his policy: “The trainers give a status report every day, and that’s what we go with. I think at this point everyone’s bought into the fact that they’re going to be able to contribute to our success”. “But we do have a lot of kids that are going to have meaningful roles”.
That said all of Illinois’ wins this year have come against poor teams. But the Illini do have both prongs of their rushing attack back.
Offensively for IL, junior quarterback Wes Lunt has completed 193-of-346 passes for 2,000 yards, twelve touchdowns, and four interceptions.
-RB Josh Ferguson (No. 15 running back, 184th overall) – A shoulder injury that knocked him out for three games probably sent him careening down the rankings. The two teams actually battled over a real turtle until it died in 1927. “Now you’ve got to get them back to Ohio State”. If he is going to be on OSU’s top receiver – Thomas. Noon games are sleepy!
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But if the Buckeyes start slow in a windy stadium before a dead crowd – maybe their last game like this will be the one that makes them pay.
