We are on the doorstep of the first Big Ten game of the year for Ohio State, and it should be a good one. The Buckeyes welcome an Illinois program that has been on the uptick under head coach Bret Bielema, and you know it'll be a physical affair in the 'Shoe with the brand of ball Bielema employs.
We are fortunate enough to be able to reach out to some of our counterparts on the opposite sideline before some of the Buckeye Battles, and this time we were able to get an Illini fan and media perspective thanks to On3's Doug Bucshon, who is the publisher for Orange and Blue News. We thank him for the time he spent, and if you have an Illinois fan who is looking for outstanding coverage of all things Illini, or if you just want more of a taste of things on the Ohio
State vs. Illinois game from outside Columbus, we recommend you head on over and check out what they have cooking over there.
Let's dive in and get to know how Illinois fans and media are perceiving this first Big Ten matchup for both teams on Saturday.
On whether Illinois fans see the series with Ohio State as a rivalry
QUESTION: Buckeys Wire (BW) | This is technically a rivalry, with the "Illibuck Trophy" on the line, but the two teams don't play as often and weren't protected as a rivalry with any iterations of schedules. Do Illinois fans view this as a rivalry at all?
ANSWER: Doug Bucshon (DB) | Older fans might. They remember when these teams played every year, and plenty of them still remember Woody Hayes. His temper rubbed people the wrong way, and Illinois fans got tired of watching his teams beat everybody. Those fans will remember the big win in 1983 that propelled the Illini into the Rose Bowl, and Juice Williams running out the clock on Ohio State for the win in 2007.
It’s harder to call it a rivalry now. Both sides have to win once in a while, and Ohio State leads the series 70-30-4. The Buckeyes have won 10 straight since that 2007 game in Columbus. Illini fans would love to get the Illibuck back, but the teams haven’t played often enough lately for this to feel like a rivalry to most younger fans, and it has obviously been one-sided.
On how Illinois fans view Bret Bielema, a figure Ohio State fans don't like
QUESTION: BW | Some Ohio State fans have a sour taste in their mouth when it comes to Bret Bielema because of some comments he made when Urban Meyer first became head coach in Columbus. How do Illini fans feel about the Illinois head coach?
ANSWER: DB | Ohio State fans probably remember Bielema from his Wisconsin days. He’s a different coach now with a different style and approach. Illinois has always been thought of as a basketball school, but Bielema has raised expectations for football. Fans expect bowl games now, and they’ve watched him win 19 games over the last two seasons.
There’s concern about how Illinois will keep pace with the top of the Big Ten, especially when it comes to NIL money. Bielema can’t coach away every gap in resources. Still, he’s earned some trust here. Fans have seen him build good teams with less than the league’s biggest spenders have.
On how Illinois fans are approaching this game with Ohio State
QUESTION: BW | How are the Illini fans and media feeling about this matchup with Ohio State? Is there some optimism about the opportunity to go into Columbus and make a statement?
ANSWER: DB | They’re interested, but there’s some anxiety, too. The Duke loss exposed problems on defense, and the improvement against Southern Illinois came against an FCS team. Now Illinois has to deal with Ohio State’s speed and all those offensive weapons, starting with Jeremiah Smith.
Illinois hung with Ohio State for a while last year in Champaign. Fans remember that, but they also know the Horseshoe is a different place to play. The 63-10 loss at Indiana last season is still in the back of their minds. I think a lot of fans are worried this one could get away from the Illini in the same fashion.
On Illinois taking the next step to contend with teams like Ohio State
QUESTION: BW | Bielema clearly has the Illini program headed in the right direction, but what is needed to get over that hump and be a Big Ten contender, and more?
ANSWER: DB | Illinois needs more resources to recruit at a higher level and land more elite players, especially from its own state. Bielema has said the Illini didn’t have the money to rebuild the defensive line with high-level players this year. His staff has done a good job finding players and developing them, and it will have to keep doing that. Over time, though, Illinois needs to win more recruiting battles for players who are ready to help right away.
For this season, the list is shorter. The offensive line needs to get healthy, wide receiver Jayshon Platt needs to get on the field, and some players up front on defense need to play better. Illinois can still have a good year, but it needs more from those groups.
On what worries Illinois fans the most about Ohio State
QUESTION: BW | What thing or player worries Illini fans the most about Ohio State?
ANSWER: DB | Jeremiah Smith. I don’t think Illinois has a defensive back it can leave alone with him, and sending help his way gives Ohio State room to hurt you somewhere else. The Buckeyes have more talent at just about every position, and their speed on both sides of the ball is going to be a problem.
I’d also put Katin Houser’s protection high on the list. He’s been very good when he has a clean pocket. Illinois has protected him well so far, but this is a different kind of test, especially with the injuries on the offensive line. If he’s hurried all day, it’s hard to see the Illini scoring enough points.
On how Illinois springs the upset at Ohio State
QUESTION: BW | If Illinois can shock Ohio State in Columbus, how would it be done?
ANSWER: DB | A lot would have to go right. Illinois would need to win the turnover battle, which is a tall order for a defense with two takeaways in three games. The Illini can’t give the ball away themselves, and they can’t let Ohio State pile up explosive plays.
They also need to get pressure on Julian Sayin. He’s had some hiccups when teams have gotten to him, but Illinois hasn’t generated much pressure so far. On offense, the Illini need at least some running game, so Houser isn’t throwing against an Ohio State pass rush that knows exactly what’s coming. That’s a lot to ask in Columbus.
A score prediction for Ohio State vs. Illinois Saturday
QUESTION: BW | If you are comfortable, give us your score prediction for the game Saturday.
ANSWER: DB | Ohio State 42, Illinois 13. I think Houser will make a few plays in the passing game, but I don’t expect Illinois to run the ball well enough or get enough stops to stay close.
Once again, we thank Bucshon for giving us some insight into how things are being viewed by the Illinois fans and media. Once again, head on over to Orange and Blue News to get more of an opposite perspective before, during, and after the game Saturday.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Behind Enemy Lines with Ohio State-Illinois with On3's Doug Bucshon
