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Home > Blogs > Buckeyes Beat > Archives > 2008 > November > 14 > Entry
Illinois will be ready to play against Ohio State
Illinois went to the Rose Bowl last season, but has returned to Earth in 2008. But the Illini are still a dangerous bunch and always seem to get up for Ohio State.
Maybe that explains their stunning loss last week to Western Michigan. What was that?
Anyway, the Buckeyes are 9 1/2-point favorites this week at newly remodeled Memorial Stadium in Champaign. (If you’re going, I recommend the Esquire downtown; cold beer and free peanuts in the shell.)
This line has been moving down all week, which means a lot of money is coming in on Illinois. I agree, although I’d feel more comfy with the opening line of 10 1/2 points.
The home team has been terrible in this series, but I think Juice Williams has enough talent to keep it close. Illinois is averaging 447.6 yards per game, so I don’t expect a repeat of last week’s dismantling of Northwestern.
On defense, Illinois has 32 QB sacks this season and OSU coach Jim Tressel says the Illini “do a good job of mixing up what they do.” So maybe Terrelle Pryor hesitates a little, but pulls out a victory.
The Buckeyes have a lot to play for — a BCS bowl bid remains a tasty possibility — but I’ll take Illinois and the points.
LAST WEEK: Our advice was to take OSU and lay 10 1/2 at Northwestern. Bingo. The Buckeyes ran away with an easy 45-10 win.
SEASON: That much-needed win brings us to 5-4 on the season with two games to play.
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Comments
By Purvis R. Coley
November 14, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Buckeyes win and win big. They haven’t or will ever forget senior day last year. Look for Beanie to block for himself and Terrell to light up Ill. You didn’t mention our defense, Juice won’t be able to throw the ball with our secondary. GO BUCKS!!!By Purvis R. Coley
November 14, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
The score against NW was 45-10 my friend. GO BUCKS!!!By kb
November 14, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
5-4?????? Who is he talking about??? Neither team has that record.By Corksoaker
November 14, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
5-4. Doesn’t refer to the teams’ records it refers to his record making picks this season.By phil
November 14, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
The buckeyes got their butts handed to them last year and although I doubt it will happen this year the luckeyes better watch out. beanie is overrated and pryor is due to show how many int’s he can throw.By LizardKingLives
November 14, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
Buckeyes show the football world why they would be a good choice for BCS bowl selection by beating Ill and Mich easily.They will then be BCS bound…go BUCKS!By Dear Phil
November 14, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
If losing by 7 is getting your butt handed to you? Weird I thought it was a tight game. Beanie who has torched some of the best defenses in the country will probably make more $$$ his rookie year than you will in a lifetime. Thats all I have to say about that.By joe
November 14, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
Why do editors think they can write? Just like last week when Marc Pendleputz said area D-I teams have only won a second round game twice. Did he forget about Wayne’s SECOND ROUND win over Centerville a couple years back? He should stick to editing, just like Kollars.By thepummeler
November 14, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
hey phil….suck meBy Ohio Transplant
November 15, 2008 2:18 AM | Link to this
Illinois always plays within 7 points (if not win) vs. the Bucks since 1999. The only time that hasn’t happened was in 2005 when the Bucks wiped them out, 40-2, in Columbus. Despite that fact, I’m still going with the Buckeyes on this one… 31-17.By phil dear phil
November 15, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this
beanie has torched some of the best defenses in the country? Please name them.another thing why is it osu always has to hope for other teams to lose before they get a bcs berth? also don’t expect them to get a bcs birth this year after the last two years their credibility is total crapBy Dan
November 15, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
Illinois matches up with the Bucks very well. Remember last year the fumble by Dufrein on Illinois’s first possession into the endzone and recovered by OSU and the call was never challenged. Those officials payed dearly for that mistake(suspended I believe). The Bucks will remember that and the poor choice of punting(Tressel again) in the 4th quarter on 4th and short in which Illinois ran off nearly 9 minutes to end the game. OSU in a tight game and possibly a thriller. We are playing for BCS and Illinois is playing for bowl eligibility. This will be a hard fought game.By Bob
November 15, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
I hope Ohio State doesn’t make it to a BCS game. It’s just embarressing to see them get whipped.I’d like to see them beat Michigan 45-0 next Saturday.That’s even better than a Bowl game!!Go Bucks.By allaboutthetruth
November 15, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
So…Tressel loses by being dumb and conservative to Illini and to little wolfies, and in a remarkable change of heart, OSU boots him into the upper echelon of the AD, and they lure Mike Singletary to Columbus after the season-then the Bucks learn how to be aggressive and “hit the guy in the mouth.” Oh well-a guy can dream.