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Big Ten Weekend Preview: Week 11

Illinois (7-3, 4-2) @ No. 1 Ohio State (10-0, 6-0)

Ron Zook has begun to make his mark in the Big Ten as he has, arguably, done one of the best coaching jobs in the conference this season with his Illinois squad currently standing all alone at second place in the Big Ten behind just the Buckeyes and Michigan. A much improved rushing attack, one that ranks first in the Big Ten by a large margin, has proven invaluable for an offense that has struggled in the passing department averaging just 152.5 yards/game, last in the Big Ten. The emergence of junior Rashard Mendenhall is exactly what Zook mentioned that the Illini needed heading into the season. The junior tailback has racked up more than 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns, while averaging an impressive 6.8 yards/carry. Going against the top defense in the Big Ten will be no small task, though. The Buckeyes have limited opponents to 65 yards/game on the ground and just 221 total yards/game. The Buckeyes must avoid looking ahead as Michigan is likely the only roadblock standing in their way with the chance to play for a national championship on January 7.

When Ohio State has the ball...

It was a tail of two halves last week against the Wisconsin Badgers as the Ohio State offense struggled to reach any consistency in the first half, but, with the help of the defense, was able to explode in the second half for four touchdowns in the second half. Chris Wells had another solid day out of the backfield with 21 carries for 169 yards and three scores and continues to get more durable as the season progresses while fighting an sore ankle. The connection between Todd Boeckman and Brian Robiskie was also on track once again as they connected on two touchdowns through the air. The Illinois defense led by J Leman comes into the game allowing 112 rushing yards/game, good for third in the Big Ten conference. The defensive backfield has been solid at times with Vontae Davis, a Thorpe award candidate, leading the way along with safety Kevin Mitchell with four interceptions. Illinois has allowed an average of 242 yards/game passing, though, and if the Fighting Illini focus too much on defending the run, they could very well get burnt by Robiskie and Brian Hartline on the outsides. The key for Ohio State will be to mix the run in the pass similar to the way they were able to do in the second half against the Badgers last week and forcing the Illinois defense to play on its heels and their offense to play from behind.

When Illinois has the ball...

The key for the Illinois offense, and very possibly to the game as a whole, will be the play of quarterback Juice Williams. The inconsistencies in the passing game this season have been the one setback of an offense that ranks fifth in the conference in total offense. Leading the Big Ten in rushing offense with an average of 260 yards/game, the Illinois offense has struggled mightily through the air averaging just 152 yards/game behind the arm of Juice Williams and at times Eddie McGee. Williams has improved his completion percentage which now stands at 56 percent, but has been prone to turning the ball over again this season as he has thrown nine interceptions to just eight touchdowns. There is no doubt the Illinois offense will attempt to use their power rushing attack led by Rashard Mendenall in hopes of controlling the football and keeping their defense off the field. Much of the load will likely fall on the shoulders of Williams, though, as the Buckeyes will focus on stopping the run, something that has been up and down for them all season. If James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman can control the running game and if Vernon Gholston and the Ohio State defensive line can control the line of scrimmage, the difficulty of beating the Buckeyes' defense consistently becomes a tall task. Williams will have to play exceptional and freshman wide receiver Arrelious Benn will have to have a big game for Illinois to have a legitimate shot at winning this one.

Prediction

In a game that could normally be considered a "trap-game" for the Buckeyes leading up to their annual matchup with the Wolverines next weekend and a chance to play for the national championship still on the line, it's just as difficult to believe that Illinois could come into Columbus and steal one away from the Buckeyes on their home field with a virtual one-dimensional offense. If Williams is not able to get it going early in the pass game, he likely never will because the Buckeyes defense seems to get stronger as the game progresses. Look for Illinois to give Ohio State a fight early on, but as often the case with Ohio State this season, they will eventually pull away with big plays down the stretch.

Illinois- 10            Ohio State- 27

Tags: big ten preview, ohio state football