CHAMPAIGN — No. 2 Ohio State will play Illinois in the final football game of the season at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Recently, though, the Big Ten showdowns between the Illini (5-4, 2-3) and Buckeyes (9-0, 5-0) for the Illibuck Trophy haven’t gone in favor of the orange and blue. Ohio State has won nine of the last 10 games and hasn’t lost a game in Champaign since 1991. The Buckeyes have also averaged more than 55 points in three games against the Illini with coach Urban Meyer at the helm. “There’s a reason why they’re ranked No. 1 in a lot of polls,” Illinois interim coach Bill Cubit said. “They’re an outstanding football team, a great representative of the Big Ten, and it’s going to be a heck of a challenge for us.” Understanding why this year’s rendition of the defending national champions is still so good isn’t a tough task. Ezekiel Elliott has rushed for at least 100 yards in 14 consecutive games. Receiver Michael Thomas has 575 yards, seven touchdowns and has caught a pass in 25 straight games. …
Continue Reading: Illinois gets its shot at No. 2 Ohio State in home finale at Champaign
