A defensive ringer?
Although the memories of Ohio State’s 2007 loss to the Illini and quarterback Juice William’s clock draining late game attack, don’t get too excited Illinois fans. Since that fateful day in the shoe, the Buckeyes have a new weapon with the potential to render Illinois coach Ron Zook helpless against the Buckeye Defense. That weapon? Terrell Pryor.
I know what you’re saying…but what good is Pryor if he can’t get the ball? If the defense can’t handle Williams two pronged run/pass attack, then it doesn’t matter what Pryor does. Our defense has always struggled against a quarterback who can run and Williams knows how to run.
Ahhh, not so fast my friend. The biggest difference between the 07 Ohio State defense and the 09 defense? The 09 defense has spent their summer lining up against Pryor, a quarterback very similar to Williams only about four inches taller. The biggest difference is that Williams has the maturity that Pryor has yet to develop.
From a defensive perspective though, this is huge. The key to winning this game will be to force Williams to scramble. If the Buckeye D can get through the line and still leave a strong defensive secondary, Illinois is in serious trouble. And at this point, there is no reason to think they can’t.
Last weekend, the Ohio State defense ripped Toledo to shreds. Sure, it was Toledo but by the time it was over, there wasn’t much left of an offense that was at the top nationally. Likewise against USC. Other then the last drive, the Ohio State d contained a trojan offense that was expected to put some big numbers on the board.
No question the Illini offensive line will have their hands full protecting Williams who claims he’s recovered from injuries suffered against Illinois State. If the Buckeyes can keep the pressure on Williams and force him out of the pocket, not only will they test his post injury running abilities, watch for the turnovers.
On the other side of the ball, the Illini will try to do the same. Like the Ohio State defense, they’ve been practicing against a shorter version of Terrell Pryor. And like the Buckeyes, they’ve got a strong secondary. However, so far the young Illini defense hasn’t done much to prove itself getting blown out against Missouri and giving up 385 passing yards to Illinois State.
If the offensive line plays like they did against USC, they’ll give Pryor the time he needs to make things happen. Unless the Buckeyes pull a USC and sleep through this game, Illinois is going to have a tough time holding back the Bucks. They’re best defense will be to keep the offense off the field and unlike 2007, they won’t be able to make it happen
The spread is at 14. Expect the Buckeyes to clear it and then some.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Although I’ve seen many key losses to the Illini over the years, it won’t happen tomorrow. Ohio States’ defense has shown their talent and heart. The offense has shown improvement which usually comes from letting the players play (coaches, get out of their way). I also see a big win for the Buckeyes. They will need to continue to improve each week in preparation for Happy Valley and the Big House, with Iowa sandwiched in between.
Just finished watching Ohio State beat Illinois. Ohio State and Jim Tressel are classless. Not only do they run up the score (I’m sure guised as needing to practice their red zone offense) but have a defensive player take a cheap shot to the head of an Illinois player. Pretty pathetic how the Ohio State player walks off the field with a smile on his face and NO Ohio State coach gets in his face.
Run up the score! You must be kidding! If only we would run up the score just once. We looked awful on offense. It’s hard to believe but Illinois is even worse. A cheap shot to the Illinois player’s head was about the most excitement we managed to see all game.
Run up the score?
It was fourth and goal at the TWO yard line….it’s either kick a field goal and win 26-0, or give the boys some red-zone practice and score the TD and win 30-0. Are you really crying over four points???
Furthermore, it is not our job to stop us. It’s YOUR job to stop us.
I have to be completely honest. I missed Colman’s late hit and didn’t see the replay. I did see the Illinois player make a late hit out of bounds earlier in the game and come up swinging though. Funny, you didn’t mention that one Libra.
Under the new Big Ten rules, the late hit along with throwing punches pretty much qualifies for a game suspension.
Also don’t see much complaining when SEC schools lay 50+ points on some helpless Div II school. All we hear about then is the power of the SEC. Likewise when everyone is complaining that USC didn’t score more points against Washington State.
Bucks socore 30 points with a very basic offense and you’re calling them classless? Please.