Week 5: Illinois Fighting Illini Preview

Fresh off its highest-scoring performance in more than 50 years, the Ohio State Buckeyes completed non-conference play on a roll the likes of which have rarely been seen in the Jim Tressel era. The average margin of victory during non-conference play was 34.75 points. Against then #12-ranked Miami (FL), the Buckeyes dominated time of possession and won by 12 points despite giving up two special teams touchdowns and taking three knees on the goal line to close out the game. As far as the non-conference schedule went, there's not much more you could ask for. Of course, that's only part of the battle.

Now, as the calendar turns to October, it ushers in a new season of Big Ten conference play. The Conference appears to be the strongest that it has been in years with six teams ranked in the Top 25 and scrappy upstarts like Northwestern vying for recognition. Of course, as anyone who has followed the conference knows, it's not just the names at the top of the polls that you have to watch out for. On any given Saturday a Purdue can beat an Ohio State or an Iowa can fall to Northwestern. Especially this season, there are no teams that can be taken for granted (except maybe Minnesota).

The First Conference Test

If there is any team that is living proof of the "anything can happen" theory, it's the Fighting Illini of Illinos. In 2007 the Illini came into Columbus and beat a #1-ranked Ohio State team. It was an upset that very few saw coming and, if not for an unprecedented amount of BCS chaos, would've cost Ohio State a shot at the national title.

Now this team is not that team, and it shows in the game's 18-point. Still, Illinois is a dangerous team that appears to be playing hard embattled head coach for Ron Zook. Despite finishing dead last in the Big Ten in both points allowed and yards allowed in 2009, this year the Illinois is giving up a respectable 16 points per game. Granted, the competition hasn't been all that stiff-thus far the schedule has featured Missouri and two directional Illinois teams-but it's certainly an improvement.

On offense, Illinois features two dynamic skill position players. Fresh off a season in which he carried the ball 108 times for 734 yards (6.9 ypc), Junior running back Mikel Leshoure is making an impact. The 6-foot, 1-inch tailback is off to a torrid start, averaging 6.9 yards per attempt on 58 carries. His only deficiency appears to be catching balls out of the backfield, as he has only 2 receptions through three games. Still, his combination of size and speed means that the Ohio State defensive front will be in for a long day as it tries to contain him.

At the quarterback position, gone is 10th-year Senior Juice Williams. His backup from last season Eddie McGee is playing wide receiver now. Enter True Freshman Nathan Scheelhaase. Scheelhaase is a dynamic talent, but still very raw. He's completing passes at a 54-percent clip and has tossed three touchdowns and three interceptions. On the ground, Scheelhaase has shown promise, gaining 204 yards on 40 carries (5.1 ypc). At 6-foot, 3-inches and 195 pounds, he possesses all of the physical tools required to be a very good quarterback. The question remains: Has he developed the mental skills to go along with them?

The Prediction

Illinois has the look of a team on the rise. Nathan Scheelhaase is a name we will be hearing about for years to come. Unfortunately, he's still a year or two away from being able to compete on an elite level. On the other hand, Ohio State Quarterback Terrelle Pryor is not. One week after setting the Ohio State record for consecutive completions (16), Pryor became only the third Buckeye in the history of the program to run, pass and pull in catch a catch for a touchdown in the same game. Pryor and the offense are firing on all cylinders and appear poised to keep on rolling.

Last year the Buckeyes held Illinois to 170 yards of total offense in a shutout victory. This year, things will be a little different. The Illinois offense will put up some points, but its defense will prove to be no match for an Ohio State offense that is averaging just over 500 total yards and 49 points per game. Expect the Buckeyes to pull away in the second half and cruise to a comfortable 48-13 victory.

Next up: Indiana Hoosiers