Ohio State vs. Illinois Buckeyes Wire staff predictions

As we do every week, our writers provide their predictions and rationale for the Ohio State football game. This week its against Illinois.

Contact/Follow Phil Harrison

Ohio State 52, Illinois 21

This is the week we’ll see Ohio state put it all together. After a week of hearing about how poor the defense is compared to last year, that side of the ball will play with much more purpose and discipline. Illinois’ defense will have no answer for Justin Fields and what he’ll be able to do through the air against the Illini defense.

Whoever is out for OSU because of the rumored mild coronavirus outbreak won’t matter because the Buckeyes have talent deep into the roster. OSU rolls and continues its journey to a Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff appearance.

Contact/Follow Mark Russell

Ohio State 54, Illinois 17

While Illinois is riding a two-game winning streak, it hasn’t played a team like Ohio State in 2020. The fun is going to come to a screeching halt Saturday at noon for the Fighting Illini.

The Buckeyes are going to be tired of hearing how maybe they aren’t as good as everyone thought they were. How maybe two SEC teams or even (gasp) two ACC teams might get in the College Football Playoff over an undefeated Big Ten Champ.

Yeah, they know what folks are saying, and the Buckeyes are going to take it out on poor Illinois. It’s nothing personal, just business. Ohio State rolls to an easy victory.

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