NFL Tickets
Just one week away from their biggest game of the regular season, the Ohio State Buckeyes have to keep their minds on this week’s game, albeit not a very tough matchup. The Buckeyes are looking to win out in order to play for a Big Ten title and a possible playoff spot.
The Illinois Fighting Illini, on the other hand, won’t be playing for any conference title this season as they are just 4-4 overall and 1-3 in Big Ten play. However, Illinois is fighting for a bowl bid — something it hasn’t seen in a couple of years and not at all under Tim Beckman.
Ohio State has won five straight games since losing at home to Virginia Tech in week two. However, the Buckeyes are coming off a tough road win in overtime and looked to be limping their way into the heart of the schedule. Freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett has found himself batting an MCL sprain this week and will likely be used lightly against Illinois in order to prepare for Michigan State in two weeks. On the year, the young quarterback has passed for 1,689 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions while finding sophomore wide out Michael Thomas a team-high 22 times for 380 yards and five touchdowns. Barrett has gotten great use out of the hands of senior Devin Smith as well who has caught 13 passes for 363 yards and five scores of his own. First-year starting running back Ezekiel Elliott leads all rushers with 640 yards and five scores while Barrett is second with 458 yards and six scores. Elliott also has 15 catches for 144 yards this season.
Adding the services of transfer quarterback Wes Lunt this season has paid off big time of the offensive side of the ball for the Illini. Lunt has missed three games with an injury and will likely be out for another three weeks, hurting this team’s chances of pulling off an upset in this one. Senior wide out Reilly O’Toole will fill in for the injured Lunt as he has passed for 642 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions in his place this season while Lunt had 1,569 yards, 13 touchdowns and three picks. Mike Dudek leads all receivers with 42 catches for 639 yards and three touchdowns and Geronimo Allison is second on the team with 32 receptions for 499 yards and a team-high five touchdown catches. Top running back Josh Ferguson is third on the team in receiving, snagging 31 passes for 302 yards and two scores. Ferguson also leads the run game with 518 yards and six touchdowns on a solid 5.1 yards per carry.
Defensively, the Fighting Illini have struggled since Big Ten play has started, giving up less than 38 points just once in four tries. On the year, Illinois ranks a lowly 106th in scoring defense as well as 114th in total yards allowed per contest. Ohio State has been worlds better, ranking 25th in scoring defense as well as 11th in total defense, giving up just 308.1 yards a game. Of course Ohio Stadium will be loud for this primetime matchup.
Illinois will travel to Ohio State to take on the Buckeyes at 8 p.m. EST on Saturday, Nov. 1. The game will be broadcasted on ABC.
PREDICTION: Illinois 14, Ohio State 42
Want to see the Fighting Illini take on the Buckeyes in week 10? Check out ScoreBig for tickets.
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].
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