So good... yet, so bad.
#11 Ohio State
8-2, 5-1 Big Ten
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November 15, 2008 12:00 PM ET - ESPN —— Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL |
Illinois
3-3, 5-5 Big Ten
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It's time. It's time to play the one Big Ten team that shouldn't scare you, but does, nonetheless.
They've dropped games to Minnesota, Wicsonsin and just last week, the pride of the MAC, Western Michigan. Last year it was Iowa and Michigan. But damn if they don't give you pause.
SEC fans will be quick to point out the Zooker's success in the Big Ten, which truthfully isn't all that, but one thing you can't argue is the fact that he's been good against the Buckeyes. His 10-loss team gave top ranked Ohio State a scare two years ago and we're all keenly aware of what transpired last November.
On any given Saturday, they're powered by the conference's best player. But, the consistency isn't there as they've alternated wins with losses since beginning Big Ten play. So why so much fear? Why does this one team scare Buckeye fans like no other? We may never know the answer to those questions, but unless Ohio State figures out their own Illinois riddle, they'll be scooping up bowl scraps instead of getting the BCS berth they need to help validate the 2008 season.
Opponent
Illinois may bring five losses into the matchup, but their offense currently leads the Big Ten in output, averaging a pretty fresh 459.9 yards per game. The scoring offense is good enough for 31.4 per outing, and the engine driving the show is quarterback Juice Williams. At times capable of being one of the premier players in the country, the junior can be a pocket terror. Size like Beanie, touch better than Pryor. And handling the ball on every play.
Williams doesn't have the luxury of a solid running attack and that's the primary reason for the under-performing season. He's carried the offense, accounting for 99% of the passing yards while also checking in as the team's leading rusher. His 577 rushing yards is two greater than tailback Daniel Dufrene has recorded and he's as much as an option on the ground as he is through the air, where he'll look to the Big Ten's leading receiver, Arrelious Benn.
Williams already has two games of at least 400 yards passing and his ability to run the read into first downs is oh so painfully fresh in our memories. Juice operates behind a decent offensive line and the Buckeyes will need to play an aggressive style -- unlike the react defense that was displayed last year -- in order to bottle him up and prevent him from eating large chunks of the clock.
On the defensive side of the ball, a lot of the preseason noise went to linebacker Martez Wilson and defensive back Vontae Davis, but the star of the unit has been senior Brit Miller. The linebacker leads the Big Ten in tackles and is 9th in the nation in TFLs. He's everywhere, like Leman, but without the gorgeous flowing locks. And infomercial aspirations.
Illinois has a middle-of-the-pack special teams unit. Benn is a threat on returns and the kicking game is dependable, but the Illini are actually quite drawn to the penalties. They have recorded more penalties and accompanying yards than the Buckeyes, who have consistently ranked amongst the conference's top (bottom?) teams in that category.
Buckeye Breakdown
As touched on above, the number one goal for Ohio State should be containing Juice. Memorial Stadium is an incredibly uninspiring place to play and the Buckeyes will have to look to the embarrassing fourth quarter last season for inspiration. They were humbled on their own field by not being able to force a 4th down when it mattered and we expect the team to come out wanting blood.
The approach last season was more react instead of attack and was probably the beginning of the WTF-Is-Heacock-Doing school of thought. The players universally pointed to the fact that they didn't attack enough and some openly questioned the defensive gameplan following the 28-21 loss. We're encouraged by the fact that the Buckeye defense has really come on since the USC game and is finally playing to the level that was expected of them before the season started.
A huge part of neutralizing Juice and the Illini offense is keeping them off the field. Pryor really came into his own as a passer in the stiff winds of Evanston last weekend and all of a sudden is leading the Big Ten in passer rating. When you step back and think about where Troy Smith was at the same point in his career, that is nothing short of remarkable.
Illinois has to fantastic corners, but when forced into the nickel or dime packages, they can be exposed. Just ask Chase Daniel.
After being held to a miserly 3.2 yards per carry in last season's game, expect Beanie to improve on that significantly. Leman is gone and though the Illini have top-notch defenders that will likely be playing the games of their lives, the stiff arm will feast on the orange and blue.
His running combined with Pryor's emergence as a thrower should be enough to keep the Illini defense on its heels a little and the Buckeye defense had to have learned their lesson from last year and will come out and spy Juice while moving Jenkins into range to take away his primary weapon.
We don't take anything in Champaign for granted, but these two programs are heading in very different directions and the revenge factor will mitigate any sort of upset notions.
PREDICTION: Ohio State 31, Illinois 20
Comments
Leman cracks will never get old.
Illinois has crazy big play ability, and I think they catch us sleeping a few times. I think the X factor is our ability to get INTs out of the gimmes Juice throws up. If we can't capitalize off those then I'd get worried. Jenkins was a nonfactor in last year's game but I think he will come to play. The linebackers I think have the biggest task--containing the scramble--but the Neck will look to beat the pulp out of the Juice (zing!). Let's hope they pick up right where they left off in Evanston.
34-21 Buckeyes. Bring that dumb turtle back to Columbus.
I hate this game, they always play tOSU tough. As long as the refs don't start giving the Illini fumbles back so they can score TD's instead of the buckeyes getting a touchback the Bucks should be okay.
I hate this game too... always tough going back to Earle Bruce........ I was watching the 2002 OT game on Big-Ten Network last nite--- the difference in the offensive line is striking. During the OT period, Krenzel was able to drop back, scan, and step into the pocket to throw--never really got touched. Boeckman has been beaten senseless since he took the reigns---- I feel bad for the guy because I think he could have done better with and O-line like 2002. Pryor is awesome, but they put him in at QB to compensate for and swiss cheese O-line.
Dare I say that Beanie is ready for an Eddie Georgian performance? He has 814 yards this season, now I'm not saying he breaks it for 300+, but a 185-200 yard day puts him over the 1000 yard mark. Oh, the season he could have had if it weren't for that toe....
i LOVE this game. a decent opponent that deserves a beat-down.
This was the only game that I made it back home to Ohio for. I want Revenge!
Jenkins and Coleman both come up with picks and the defense contains juice.
Bucks by 2 TDs.
I def. always enjoy this game. Gives me the shits pre-kickoff, but that might be the Bud Light from nights past...not sure.....anyways Ill predict Beanie for 140+ and a Cham-painful Beanie-hop for the celebration those fucks did on our block O last year. I just really hope that our troops don't do anything like that on their I....classless, if they really wanna get revenge, it will be all the sweeter to drub them on their home turf by 3+ scores......
Pryor has a big day passing on their suspect back seven. I actually think that Homan is going to be the difference maker Saturday...the Zookers are gonna be doing their best to get to the neck, and Freeman struggles with the mobile QB sometimes, but if you put Homan on the spy, he is deceptivly fast I think and can handle the job
If I were Juice, Id be a bit weary of this game...Our D has been knocking starting QB's out of games on a consistant basis...YSU, OU, Troy, Minny got lucky, Wisky for a few plays, Purdue, AND State Penn......
and dont forget Sparty.....wow its almost everygame
I always dislike this game. It's the one I worry about most - even over p*nn st*t*. The Vest is trying to wean me off of worrying about the m*ch*g*n game.
Honestly, I think the probability of an OSU win is 50/50. I've just never been sold on this year's team, from training camp on. Still, their defense is improving, and maybe Terrelle is starting to figure some things out - at least enough to get us to the m*ch*g*n game still tied for the conference title.
I won't predict a win - Eeyore that I am - but I'm hoping for the best. C'mon, Bucks!
Always here to grab our scarlet halo's and pull us off our clouds...ladies and gentleman.....JOE FOX!!!!! Mr. Joe Fox everybody....lets give him a big round of applause! LOL
Haha. Will Joe ever feel confident about the Buckeyes? My magic 8-ball says, "Don't count on it."
38-14 Bucks.
Anyone notice Andre Ware is doing our game again this weekend. I hope we pile on some points. Or at least have the ability too.
Andre Ware was demoted to Mary May status after last Saturday in my book.......He has officially gone ahead of Brent Mussberger on the list of top Buckeye Haters
Both Andre Ware and Dave Pasch are calling the game again. I'll have to struggle not to reach for the mute button.
I watch at a bar with some alumni here in Albany, and we get real rowdy so the announcer are barely heard.....but fuck Andre Ware in his ear....twice
There's nothing scarier than a team whose label is inconsistency. When they're good, they're putting up 48 points on Michigan (but who isn't these days, right?). When they're bad, they're barely cracking double-digits against Western Michigan. They have struggled defensively, but I think they were looking ahead to this week when they lost to a directional school. I'm deathly scared of this game.
LMAO. By the way i had a few random thoughts.
From another thread:
1. We may not be able to beat FLA, Bama, UGA, but I would give my left nut to win out and beat LSU in a bowl game. Their QB is worse than our O line. We would destroy them.
2. Remember when Bollman got hired as the O coordinator? Everyone was pumped because he had that pro-style zone blocking scheme, and we where going to be great. Joke’s on us.
I am an Eeyore. I admit that. But you have to admit - OSU's record is 18-18 in the last 36 meetings, and even our national title teams (and other good teams from OSU's past) are given fits by Illinois. It's in Champaign (though we're actually better there than here at home), and Williams is dangerous. Tressel's just 3-2 against Illinois. Yes, I'm nervous, but I think I should be, and so should we all.
I despise Andre Ware for stealing Keith Byars' Heisman. I despise him just as much, because he was money for three interceptions every time I drew the Lions in a Tecmo Super Bowl tournament. Ugh.
Doug Flutie stole it.
http://www.heisman.com/winners...
Ware stole Anthony Thompson's...
http://www.heisman.com/winners...
Hey Joe,
You can spell out penn state. please. What's next F***ida?
Tecmo Superbowl for the ultimate flashback win!
The best Illinois game of my lifetime (so far).... I was there and it was damn cold!! But worth every minute
http://www.ourhonordefend.com/...
"Doug Flutie stole it."
I'm getting old. I'm now down to despising Andre Ware for his giveaways on Tecmo Super Bowl and for his announcing. Crap.
I truly hated Ware on that game. I had a back wide open in the flat - no defensive player around him for a good ten yards. The screen was all set up, looked great, and - ZAP! - the interception graphic popped up, and there's the DB, running it back for a score. I lose the tournament to the 49ers.
I tried to get the Steelers whenever I could, of course - who can beat an offense centered around Bubby Brister, Merril Hoge and Louis Lipps? - but never minded ending up with Kansas City. Okoye left, Barry Word right, and just enough passing from Dave Krieg to keep everyone honest. Your only problem was the occasional fumble, but Woody would have loved a 12:30 drive that ended with a touchdown.
Remember how you couldn't see Randall Cunningham's name pop up on the game? It just read "QB Eagles," and the guy could run like a fiend? Classic.
Good link PB Buckeye. That was actually the first game I had the honor of seeing live. Life changing experience to say the least. I will probably never see an individual player dominate a game like that again in my life, and I am perfectly fine with that.
And it was damn cold!
Stat of the day:
Since 2001 under Jim Tressel Ohio State has only lost in consecutive years to one Big Ten team; Wisconsin in 2003 and 2004.
Dont look now but Jimmy T is coaching his 100th game as a Buckeye leader, and with a win will pass Coach Bruce for 3rd in all time wins at the helm
Tressel's play calling will cause us to lose this game period. We will have to score 24 or more to win, which makes me think this will be a bad Saturday hope i am wrong. I think last week and MSU wins are false hopes because again the play calling will be the same vanilla shit. I love the program but when will we show up against stiff comp. GO BUCKS just think we will not have a very good called game saturday offensively or defensively hope i am wrong but with what i have to go off of this will not be pretty.
41-14 was the beginning of the WTF-is-Heacock-doing era, compadres.
Should have been the start of the same for Bollman, but I can't get too greedy.
Gentlemen, this game will be won, and easier than we think. 31-17, Ohio State.
Not only that BuckeyeSki, but Tress can take sole possession of 2nd place behind Woody (13 with 7 outright) with 5 Big Ten titles. Currently, he is tied with Bruce with 4 Big Ten championships (Both have 2 outright titles.).
For those critical of JT, through Woody's first 8 years he had a record of 57-21-5, 2 Big Ten titles, and a 5-3 record against Michigan. Woody had the edge on NCs though with 2 (1954 and 1957).
good stat Buckster but don't compare titles when the B10 is in worst shape it has ever been. Its great we are winning or sharing titles but the talent level is different and other then us the B10 has been horrible. I am sorry, i have started to fall off the Tressel bandwagon and don't need his stats as a coach, they are good but give me facts when we play great teams which i already know, we have been less then impressive. I hope we don't play a great team in the bowl because my least favorite Tressel stat is when having alot of time to prepare for a team Tressel does not live up to the hype, which to me is bad coaching! GO BUCKS
I believe in Tom Blogical.
I think OSU will take care of business 27-14. Juice will make a couple dumb mistakes an OSU will take advantage.
We will NOT have to put up 24 pts to win. This illini team is 4-5 and outside of Juice, very mediocre. Dufrene is no Mendenhall, the fact that juice is leading the team in rushing through NINE games is proof of that. There defense isn't what is was last year either.
Good news is, if we do lose, all of you that are afraid of the "elite" teams can breath a sigh of relief.
John- The Big Ten was horrible in the 50's 60's and 70's. Remember Woody said he didn't even practice for Northwestern. Try that today and see what happens.
If you can tell me which Big 10 teams were great under Woody's tenure, I will give your post credibility. But, I think there is more parity today than there was during the Woody era.
Remember during Woody's tenure, the Big 10 was known as the Big 2 Little 8.
I remember at that game Tyler kept screaming "run boy run" which I take to mean that he is a raging white supremacist.
Calling Illinois stiff competition is a bit of a stretch. And given their defense's output thus far, it will not be hard to drop 24 on them.
Juice has shown he is more bad than he is good. Wow he can run, wow he has crazy offensive stats... He's also thrown umpteen INTs and his team has 5 losses, some of which were very laughable.
I don't know if you mean to, John, but by saying you think we'll lose tomorrow because Tressel can't coach in games vs great teams, you're implying that Illinois is a great team. Erm.
Did you guys hear that they canceled the Ohio State-Michigan football game? Apparently Michigan can't make the drive down to Columbus, because they can't get past Toledo.
Did anyone read the article on ESPN.com Page 2 ripping Tressel for last weeks blow out?
Un-be-lievable. I sent the guy and angry email. and yes, it did make me feel better.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn...
Speaking of cold...
http://www.wunderground.com/sp...
gross. That's why i live in southern california these days. i most def do NOT miss winter.
speaking of that ESPiN article...they wrote the exact opposite article the week before:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/...
nothing like writing the story that helps your bottom line. i guess if the Big Ten had signed a huge contract with ESPiN, the buckeyes would be getting patted on the back too
that's exactly the kind of ESPN double standard I'm talking about. Complete BS.
That "popular blog" that Keown refers to is Bleacher Report. Laughable.
Dude, I miss those painful weathers in the Midwest. It's like 75 and sunny down here in Alabama.
i hate winter. i hate snow and ice. but i think living in alabama would make me miss anythign. no offense though vico.
Matt - way to start Michigan Week off with a bang....great joke! Go Bucks!
"WTF-Is-Heacock-Doing school of thought."
Sorry buddy, that was 2004.
http://www.buckeyeplanet.com/f...
i hate snow and ice. but i think living in alabama would make me miss anythign.
This is true. Sigh...
4 year old post from buckeyeplanet found at the link above.....
"Freeman is going to be a stud. My cousin who is the head scout for the Jacksonville Jaguars was in Columbus to watch last years seniors work out. While he was there Freeman was working out, and my cousin came away not impressed by the seniors but by Freeman. He didnt comment alot on Freeman but said, "He's going to be a good one", with a huge smile on his face."
HA! does this sound familiar to anyone?! i am sure we will be doing the same again in 3 more years...
"...my cousin came away not impressed by the seniors (this year's freshman) but by *insert whatever star recruit here*. He didn't comment alot on *insert whatever star recruit here* but said, "he's going to be a good one", with a huge smile on his face"
the glaring similarity of the thoughts in that 4 year old post from buckeyeplanet to the malcontentedness that i and many others have shown this year, should probably cause many of us to ratchet down the criticism. we are the idiots that created our own absurd standards for other people.
Joe Fox:
You'd be the first. :-)
Wow anonymous, that was profound. Thank you for that!
In 2004, horseshoe1 said:
"As long as we keep playing that soft zone and giving the recievers a 12 to 15 yard cushin, then you can expect plenty of passing yards against not only the linebackers but OSU period. The Tressel approach of keeping the play in front of you and not giving up the home run just AIN'T working. Other coaches are saying you gimme and I takie. Face it we do not have last years DL and probably won't have for quite awhile (if ever). It's time to gamble a little on D."
The 2004 season never happened. The entire team went on vacation in Maui for 12 weeks or so in the early fall, and then returned to Columbus in November for the Michigan game, Troy Smith had his coming out party, and there was much rejoicing. And we shall never mention the 2004 season again.
Good find with the 2004 stuff. I've definitely seen the comparisons pointed out, but those comments could just as easily pass for stuff we hear today.
dave...if you look on there for that posted article on espn i ripped that guy a new asshole...unless it was taken down..haha...under the same name too
sidenote------
Illini - 10
The assholes that run up the score and hear every f'in person in the world bitch about it - 48
Have we thrown once this half?
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