Ohio State @ Illinois football preview

#11 Buckeyes look to gain momentum heading into Michigan game next weekend

A year ago in Columbus, the Illinois Fighting Illini stunned host Ohio State with a quick-strike start and a clock-grinding finish en route to a 28-21 upset over the top-ranked Buckeyes.

On Nov. 10, 2007, Illinois running back Daniel Dufrene ripped off an 80-yard dash on his team's second play from scrimmage, quarterback Juice Williams threw four touchdown passes, and the Illini held the ball for the final 8:09 in handing the Buckeyes their first loss of the season.

When the two teams battle again for the Illibuck Trophy at noon EST Saturday in Champaign, Ill., Ohio State coach Jim Tressel expects another hard-fought contest.

“As I watch them on film, they look every bit as good or better today than they did a year ago, so we know what the challenge is going to be,” Tressel said about the Illini, who are 5-5 overall and 3-3 in the Big Ten.

Ohio State (8-2, 5-1) will need to find a way to contain Williams, a junior third-year starter who has passed for 2,769 yards and 20 touchdowns on the season and has rushed for 577 yards and five scores.

“To me, the quarterback that adds the problems is the one that can pull it down and run with it, which that, to me, is why Juice, he's another dimension,” Tressel said about Williams, who is listed at 6-foot-2 and 233 pounds. “I think he's throwing it extremely well. I think he's come a long way in his two and three-quarters years or whatever it is and not lost that ability to run, and so that will be a challenge for us. We haven't faced anyone like him.”

Williams' favorite target has been sophomore receiver Arrelious Benn, who has caught 60 passes for 947 yards and three touchdowns.

Dufrene, now a junior, has rushed for 575 yards on the season, while Illinois freshman Jason Ford has rumbled for seven touchdowns and has gained 239 yards on the ground.

The Illini are coming off a 23-17 non-conference loss to Western Michigan last week. Meanwhile, Ohio State won last Saturday at Northwestern, 45-10, as freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor passed for three touchdowns and junior tailback Chris Wells ran for two.

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With the previously undefeated Penn State Nittany Lions falling to Iowa, 24-23, last week, the 10th-ranked Buckeyes are back in contention for at least a share of the Big Ten championship. Ohio State and seventh-ranked Penn State both stand at 5-1 in the conference. Michigan State is 6-1 and ranked 18th by the AP.

The Buckeyes routed Michigan State, 45-7, on Oct. 18. A week later, Penn State edged the Buckeyes, 13-6.

The Nittany Lions and Spartans will face off on Nov. 22, the same day that Ohio State closes out the regular season against rival Michigan.

Ohio State (8-2 overall, 5-1 Big Ten) @ Illinois (5-5, 3-3)

When: Noon EST Saturday, Nov. 15
Where: Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
TV: ESPN
Series: 95th meeting; Ohio State leads 60-30-4
Last year: Illinois defeated Ohio State, 28-21

Prediction: Ohio State 34, Illinois 24

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