No. 2 Ohio State (9-0, 5-0 Big Ten, No. 3 CFP) at Illinois (5-4, 2-3), noon (ABC) Line: Ohio State by 15 1/2. Series Record: Ohio State leads 67-30-4. WHAT’S AT STAKE A loss to an unranked Illinois team would jeopardize the Buckeyes’ playoff hopes and leave them in a tie with one or both of the teams behind them in the East, Michigan State and Michigan. With three games to play Illinois is one win away from a bowl game in a season in which its coach and athletic director were fired. Getting there could help interim coach Bill Cubit ern the job on a permanent basis. KEY MATCHUP Illinois’ improved defense against Buckeye RB Ezekiel Elliott. While the Buckeye quarterbacks get much of the attention, Elliott is the constant in the Ohio State offense, with 1,244 yards (6.4 per carry) and 14 touchdowns. And in often-windy Champaign, a ground game comes in handy. …
Continue Reading: Ohio State-Illinois Preview Capsule
