THE SERIES HISTORY CRIB NOTES

• Ohio State leads the overall series 69–30–4 and has outscored Illinois 2,326-1,331 (22-13).
• The Buckeyes have won 12 out of the last 13 in the series and nine consecutive. The average score of the last ten games is 37-16.
• Ohio State has won eleven consecutive games played in Memorial Stadium.
• 1991 was the last time the Buckeyes lost in Champaign.
• The Buckeyes are 37–12 in games played at Illinois.
• Ohio State is 32–18–4 against the Illini in games played in Ohio. The schools played in Cleveland in 1942 and 1944.
• When Ohio State is ranked and Illinois is not ranked the Buckeyes are 22–1 when playing in Memorial Stadium.
• The last only time a ranked Ohio State team lost to an unranked Illini team in Champaign was 1985.
• The 103 games Ohio State has played Illinois is second only to That Team.
• Illinois was Ohio State's last game of the regular season 13 times.

THE LAST TEN AGAINST ILLINOIS

The Buckeyes are 9–1 in the last ten games against the Illini. Ohio State has outscored Illinois 369-159 in those games.

 

LAST TEN GAMES VERSUS ILLINOIS IN CHAMPAIGN

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE
2015	A	28-3
2013	A	60-35
2011	A	17-7
2010*	A	24-13
2008	A	30-20
2006	A	17-10
2002	A	23-16 (OT)
2000	A	24-21
1998	A	41-0
1996	A	48-0
TOTAL	10–0	312-125

*NCAA sanctions be damned.

LAST TEN GAMES VERSUS ILLINOIS IN COLUMBUS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE
2017	H	52-14
2014	H	55-14
2012	H	52-22
2009	H	30-0
2007	H	21-28
2005	H	40-2
2001	H	22-34
1999	H	20-46
1997	H	41-6
1995	H	41-3
TOTAL	7–3	374-169

 

ALL-TIME RESULTS BY DIFFERENT CATEGORIES

Below you will find a crap load of stats and records I compiled using The Ohio State Media Guide.

OHIO STATE ALL-TIME VERSUS ILLINOIS

	RECORD	WIN %	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	69–30–4	.689	2,274-1,317	22-13
HOME	30–18–4	.615	1,128-731	22-14
AWAY	37–12	.755	1,076-554	22-11
NEUTRAL	2–0	1.00	70-32	35-16

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND ILLINOIS IS NOT RANKED

	RECORD	WIN %	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	41–6–1	.865	1,571-661	33-14
HOME	18–5–1	.771	804-368	34-15
AWAY	22–1	.957	741-281	32-12
NEUTRAL	1–0	1.00	26-12	26-12

 

OHIO STATE'S RECORD VERSUS ILLINOIS BY DECADE

DECADE	OVERALL	WIN %		HOME	WIN %		AWAY	WIN %		NEUTRAL	WIN%
2010s	7–0	1.00		3–0	1.00		4–0	1.00
2000s	6–2	.750		2–2	.500		4–0	1.00
1990s	5–5	.500		2–4	.333		3–1	.750
1980s	6–4	.600		4–1	.800		2–3	.400
1970s	10–0	1.00		4–0	1.00		6–0	1.00
1960s	7–2–1	.750		3–1–1	.700		4–1	.800
1950s	6–3–1	.650		2–2–1	.500		4–1	.800
1940s	8–2	.800		4–1	.800		2–1	.667		2–0	1.00
1930s	9–1	.900		5–0	1.00		4–1	.800
1920s	3–7	.300		0–6	.000		3–1	.750
1910s	2–3–1	.417		1–1–1	.500		1V2	.333
1900s	0–1–1	.250		0–1–1	.250
TOTAL	69–30–4	.689		30-18-4	.615		37-12	.755		2-0	1.000

LAST TEN GAMES VERSUS ILLINOIS

LAST TEN	RECORD	WIN %	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	9–1	.900	369-159	37-16
HOME	7–3	.600	374-169	37-17
AWAY	10–0	1.00	312-125	31-13

 

ALL-TIME RESULTS BY YEAR

Including this year, Ohio State has been ranked in 25 of the last 26 games against the Illini. 2011 was the only time in the last decade in which the Buckeyes were not ranked when playing Illinois. 2011 also marked the only time the Illini were ranked in the 2010s. No matter the rankings, Ohio State won every game between 2010 and 2017.

2010 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	UI RANK
2017	H	52-14	No. 8
2015	A	28-3	No. 2
2014	H	55-14	No. 16
2013	A	60-35	No. 3
2012	H	52-22	No. 6
2011	A	17-7		No. 16
2010	A	24-13	No. 2

 

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	7–0	288-108	41-15
HOME	3–0	159-50	53-17
AWAY	4–0	129-58	32-15

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND ILLINOIS IS NOT RANKED

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	6–0	271-101	45-17
HOME	3–0	159-50	53-17
AWAY	3–0	112-51	37-17

In 2011, an unranked Ohio State team faced a ranked Illini team for only the seventh time in the series. Luke Fickell's team defeated No. 16 Illinois 17-7 in Champaign.

2000 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	UI RANK
2009	H	30-0	No. 13
2008	A	30-20	No. 10
2007	H	21-28	No. 1
2006	A	17-10	No. 1
2005	H	40-2	No. 12
2002	A	23-16 (OT)	No. 2
2001	H	21-28	No. 25	No. 12
2000	A	24-21	No. 13

The only overtime game in this series occurred during Ohio State's national championship season of 2002. The Buckeyes were ranked in every game played against Illinois between 2000 and 2009.

When Ohio State was ranked No. 1 and playing Illinois, the schools each won a game and both scored a total of 38 points. 

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	6–2	206-125	26-16
HOME	2–2	112-58	28-15
AWAY	4–0	94-67	24-17

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND ILLINOIS IS NOT RANKED

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	6–1	185-97	26-14
HOME	2–1	91-30	30-10
AWAY	4–0	94-67	24-17

The national title hopes stayed alive as the Buckeyes escaped Champaign with an overtime win in 2002.

 

 

1990 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	IU RANK
1999	H	20-46	No. 25	No. 12
1998	A	41-0	No. 1
1997	H	41-6	No. 4
1996	A	48-0	No. 2
1995	H	41-3	No. 2
1994	H	10-24	No. 17
1993	A	20-12	No. 6
1992	H	16-18	No. 21
1991	A	7-10	No. 11	No. 20
1990	H	20-31	No. 20	No. 13

The beginning of the 1990s belonged to the team from Champaign. However, the tied turned when Eddie George ran for over 300 yards on a cold November night in 1995. The Buckeyes were ranked in every game against the Illini during the '90s.

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	5–5	264-150	26-15
HOME	2–4	108-128	18-21
AWAY	3–1	116-22	29-6

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND ILLINOIS IS NOT RANKED

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	5–2	217-63	31-9
HOME	2–2	108-51	27-13
AWAY	3–0	109-12	36-4

Eddie George rushes for 315 yards and solidifies the Heisman Trophy as No. 2 Ohio State spanks Illinois 41-3 in 1995. What a difference a couple of years make for George.

 

1980 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	IU RANK
1989	A	14-34		No. 18
1988	H	12-31
1987	A	10-6	No. 9
1986	H	14-0
1985	A	28-31	No. 5
1984	H	45-38	No. 8
1983	A	13-17	No. 6	No. 19
1982	A	26-21		No. 15
1981	H	34-27
1980	H	49-42	No. 7

In 1993, Illinois ends Ohio State's 15-game winning streak in the series. In 1988, the Illini get their first victory in Columbus since 1967. 

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	6–4	245-247	25-25
HOME	4–1	154-138	31-28
AWAY	2–3	91-109	18-22

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND ILLINOIS IS NOT RANKED

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	3–1	132-117	33-29
HOME	2–0	94-80	47-40
AWAY	1–1	38-37	19-19

Illinois quarterback Dave Wilson throws for 621 yards and six touchdowns, but No. 7 Ohio State escapes with a 49-42 win in 1980. 

 

1970 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	UI RANK
1979	A	44-7	No. 5
1978	H	45-7
1977	A	35-0	No. 4
1976	H	42-10	No. 8
1975	A	40-3	No. 1
1974	H	49-7	No. 1
1973	A	30-0	No. 1
1972	H	26-7	No. 4
1971	A	24-10	No. 15
1970	A	48-29	No. 1

A decade of dominance. Woody Hayes extends his winning streak to 12 games after the 44-7 win in 1979.

 

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	10–0	383-80	38-8
HOME	4–0	162-31	41-8
AWAY	6–0	221-49	37-8

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND ILLINOIS IS NOT RANKED

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	9–0	338-73	38-8
HOME	3–0	117-24	39-8
AWAY	6–0	221-49	37-8

Ohio State makes it through the '70s with a perfect record and never faces a ranked Illinois squad.

1960 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	IU RANK
1969	H	41-0	No. 1
1968	A	31-24	No. 2
1967	H	13-17
1966	A	9-10
1965	H	28-14
1964	A	26-0	No. 4	No. 2
1963	H	20-20	No. 8
1962	A	51-15	No. 10
1961	H	44-0	No. 7
1960	A	34-7	No. 5	No. 4

 

 

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	7–2–1	297-107	30-11
HOME	3–1–1	146-51	29-10
AWAY	4–1	151-56	30-11

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND ILLINOIS IS NOT RANKED

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	4–0–1	187-59	37-12
HOME	2–0–1	105-20	35-7
AWAY	2–0	82-39	41-20

The 1968 team stays perfect after defeating Illinois 31-24 in Champaign.

 

1950 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	IU RANK
1959	H	0-9		No. 20
1958	A	19-13	No. 5
1957	H	21-7
1956	A	26-6	No. 5
1955	H	27-12
1954	A	40-7	No. 10
1953	H	20-41	No. 3
1952	A	27-7
1951	H	0-0		No. 3
1950	A	7-14	No. 1	No. 8

The Buckeyes won the decade, but were .500 against the Illini when playing in Columbus.

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	6–3–1	187-116	19-12
HOME	2–2–1	68-69	14-14
AWAY	4–1	119-47	24-9

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND ILLINOIS IS NOT RANKED

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	3–1	105-67	26-17
HOME	0–1	20-41	20-41
AWAY	3–0	85-26	28-9

In his first game against Illinois, Woody Hayes' unranked Buckeyes tie No. 3 Illinois 0-0 in Columbus. Woody finished his career with a 22–4–2 record against the Fighting Illini.

 

1940 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	UI RANK
1949	H	30-17	No. 11
1948	A	34-7
1947	H	7-28		No. 11
1946	A	7-16	No. 13	No. 9
1945	H	27-2	No. 9
1944	N	26-12	No. 4
1943	H	29-26
1942	N	44-20	No. 10	No. 13
1941	H	12-7	No. 20
1940	A	14-6

Ohio State's 11-game winning streak in the series ended with the 7-16 loss in 1946.

 

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	8–2	230-141	23-14
HOME	4–1	105-80	21-16
AWAY	2–1	55-29	18-10
NEUTRAL	2–0	70-32	35-16

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND ILLINOIS IS NOT RANKED

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	4–0	95-38	24-10
HOME	3–0	69-26	23-9
AWAY
NEUTRAL	1–0	26-12	26-12

Paul Brown took his 1942 team to Cleveland and beat Illinois 44-20 on a frigid day in Municipal Stadium.

 

1930 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	IU RANK
1939	H	21-0	No. 8
1938	A	32-14
1937	H	19-0
1936	A	13-0
1935	H	6-0
1934	A	13-14
1933	H	7-6
1932	A	3-0
1931	H	40-0
1930	A	12-9

The Buckeyes win their first decade in dominating fashion. The last time Ohio State lost a decade to Illinois? The 1920s.

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	9–1	166-43	17-4
HOME	5–0	93-6	19-1
AWAY	4–1	73-37	15-7

 

RECORD WHEN OHIO STATE IS RANKED AND ILLINOIS IS NOT RANKED

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	1–0	21-0	21-0
HOME	1–0	21-0	21-0
AWAY

In 1934, Francis Schmidt lost his second game as Ohio State's head coach to the Illini. The 13-14 defeat would be the only blemish for the '34 gridders. A Buckeye team coached by Schmidt would never lose to Illinois again.

 

1920 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	IU RANK
1929	H	0-27
1928	H	0-8
1927	H	0-13
1926	A	7-6
1925	H	9-14
1924	A	0-7
1923	H	0-9
1922	A	6-3
1921	H	0-7
1920	A	7-0

In the 1920s, Illinois continues its early dominance over Ohio State. The game in 1925 was played in Ohio Stadium in front of a national record crowd. It also marked the first game in which the schools played for Illibuck.  

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	3–7	29-94	3-9
HOME	0–6	9-78	2-13
AWAY	3–1	20-16	5-4

 

1910 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	IU RANK
1919	H	7-9
1918	A	0-13
1917	H	13-0
1916	A	7-6
1915	H	3-3
1914	A	0-37

The Buckeyes, with the help of a guy named Chic Harley, won their first game of this series in 1916. Ohio State also finished that great year with the program's first undefeated and untied record.

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	2–3–1	30-68	5-14
HOME	1–1–1	23-12	8-4
AWAY	1–2	7-56	2-19

 

 

1900 RESULTS

YEAR	LOCATION	SCORE	OSU RANK	IU RANK
1904	H	0-46
1902	H	0-0

 

OVERALL // HOME // AWAY RECORDS

	RECORD	POINTS	AVG. SCORE
OVERALL	0–1–1	0-46	0-23
HOME	0–1–1	0-46	0-23
AWAY

Ohio State started the series with as many points in the first two games as there are fans in the picture below...zero.