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TV Schedule: Saturday, Nov. 14, 12:00 p.m. ET, ABC
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (Champaign, IL)
Line: Ohio State (-16.5)
The Ohio State Buckeyes have one more tune-up game and then we will really find out how good the defending national champs are. This weekend, the Buckeyes will travel to Illinois to play the Fighting Illini. After this contest, Ohio State will then end the regular season with games against the Michigan State Spartans and Michigan Wolverines.
The Buckeyes can either state their case for being the No. 1 team in the country, or they can get booted out of the College Football Playoff picture completely.
READ: Power Ranking The Top 10 Heisman Trophy Candidates Entering Week 11
Illinois is 5-4 on the year and is also coming off of a victory against the Purdue Boilermakers (48-14). The Fighting Illini are 2-3 in the Big Ten. After this battle, they will finish off the regular season against the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Northwestern Wildcats.
At five wins, Illinois very well could become bowl eligible, but it is not going to be easy.
The problem with Ohio State — well, for opposing teams, that is — is the fact that the Buckeyes are great on both sides of the ball. Yes, there has surprisingly been issues at the QB position, but there are still playmakers all over the field for Ohio State. Ezekiel Elliott still has a great shot at the Heisman, and Braxton Miller is always just one play away from taking it to the house.
Things certainly haven’t been smooth sailing for this team — kind of like the Florida State Seminoles last season — but the Buckeyes are still a top five team in college football.
PREDICTION: Buckeyes 41, Fighting Illini 10
College Football Top 25 Power Rankings: Week 11 Edition
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