Ohio State faces Illinois in the Big Ten opener for both teams at noon Sept. 26 at Ohio Stadium.
Here are our predictions for the game:
Ohio State vs. Illinois predictions
Joey Kaufman, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 42, Illinois 17: Illinois has been one of the Big Ten’s most consistent programs since Bret Bielema took over in 2021, producing consecutive nine-win seasons for the first time in school history, but it’s in a bit of a transition following the hiring of former Montana coach Bobby Hauck as defensive coordinator over the offseason. Hauck’s arrival brought a move to a 3-3-5 scheme as the Illini adjust to significant personnel losses up front. Through three weeks, they rank 13th in the conference in scoring defense and 14th in total defense. The early growing pains aren’t
likely to make the Illini any more of a threat to upset Ohio State than last season. The Buckeyes will prove too explosive and put up their share of points.
Rob Oller, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 38, Illinois 13: Illinois coach Bret Bielema praised OSU but also talked big after last season's 34-16 loss to the Buckeyes, explaining how OSU struggled against the Illini's tempo offense the second half. Ryan Day and his staff likely have not forgotten Bielema's boast. Ohio State will come out swinging and won't stop until the Illini are down for the count. Illinois ranks 87th nationally in passing yards allowed (217.7), and have only three sacks through three games, so Julian Sayin should be able to carve up UI's secondary.
Brianna Mac Kay, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 35, Illinois 21: Illinois started the season receiving votes in the AP Poll, but has failed to earn any more votes since its 31-27 loss to Duke in Week 2. With the Fighting Illini allowing 217.7 passing yards and five touchdowns across their first three games, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin should be able to generate a strong performance in the first Big Ten game of the season. Sayin threw for 166 yards and two touchdowns against Illinois last season.
Dan Aulbach, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 35, Illinois 13: The Fighting Illini have some noteworthy talent. Wide receiver Collin Dixon enters conference play with seven touchdown receptions, leading the FBS. In a loss against Duke, Dixon still produced; he had 11 catches for 166 yards and an eye-catching three touchdowns. Illinois, however, struggled with pass protection against FCS opponent Southern Illinois; quarterback Katin Houser was sacked twice. Duke, meanwhile, averaged 4.9 yards per carry on 35 attempts in their victory against Illinois. The Fighting Illini will hang around for the first quarter before the Buckeyes get the offense working.
Bold predictions
Julian Sayin won’t be sacked
Joey Kaufman: The Buckeyes have allowed five sacks this this year, more than all but five Big Ten teams. They have not gone through a game without allowing a sack since last season’s win at Michigan. Even if Hauck dials up blitzes, the Illini are still adjusting the loss of Gabe Jacas, the star edge rusher who had 11 sacks last year, a total that was tied for the second-most in the conference. Illinois has had just one sack in each of its first three games.
Buckeyes get a pick-six
Rob Oller: Illinois will test OSU's secondary once too often, resulting in an interception return for a touchdown. Who might score the TD? I'm leaning toward freshman nickelback Jay Timmons, but cornerback Earl Little Jr. is due to make a big play. Either way, the Buckeyes will have a pick-six and fat man touchdown in back-to-back games.
Ohio State LB grabs another interception
Brianna Mac Kay: Sophomore linebacker Riley Pettijohn recorded the lone interception during Ohio State’s 59-3 victory over Kent State on Sept. 19, marking the first in his Buckeye career. Fellow sophomore linebacker TJ Alford was fingertips away from notching his second interception, but dropped the potential Kent State turnover. The two broke into the Buckeyes’ four-man linebacker rotation this season, combining for 181 snaps across three games after earning just 189 last season. Quarterback Katin Houser has thrown two interceptions in his first season with Illinois, and accumulated 22 interceptions across his four seasons spent at East Carolina and Michigan State.
Devin McCuin bounces back with a touchdown
Dan Aulbach: Since his productive debut, wide receiver Devin McCuin has been quiet. He had two targets and a season-low 15 snaps against Kent State. Sayin openly admitted to missing a throw to McCuin in the Texas game that would have likely resulted in a touchdown. Despite Inniss and Brock Boyd receiving more targets as secondary receivers to Jeremiah Smith, McCuin possesses breakaway speed that will come up big in the first game of conference play.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Our Ohio State football experts make bold predictions for Illinois game
