Game day preview Illinois at No. 7 Ohio State; 11 a.m., Saturday (Fox)
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Sep. 26—Beat writer Scott Richey previews the Illini's Big Ten opener against the Buckeyes ahead of an 11 a.m. kickoff Saturday from Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, as Illinois tries to end a 10-game losing streak against Ohio State:
Collin Dixon led Illinois in receiving for a third straight game last week against Southern Illinois. How Katin Houser was able to get more receivers involved in the passing game, however, truly stood out for the first time in three games. Hudson Clement and Brayden Trimble had five catches apiece and combined for 126 receiving yards. Kaden Feagin also caught two passes, with fellow tight ends Davin Stoffel and Christian Abney adding one apiece.
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"I think it's important," Illinois pass game coordinator Mike Neu said. "(Houser is) starting to build a rapport and a relationship with other guys certainly outside his comfort level with Collin. I think he's starting to gain some confidence and trust in some of the other guys, too. You give those guys credit. I look at Hudson Clement and the way he had one of his best weeks on the practice field last week, and it paid off for him in the game."
Bret Bielema didn't want his offense to falter on the last drive against SIU — picking up a final first down with the backups in the game provided key snaps — but the Illinois coach wouldn't have minded seeing his punt team on the field. That group needs reps, too, given junior punter Lars Rau has only been called upon four times (three against the Salukis) this season. In his first season as the Illini's No. 1 punter after backing up Keelan Crimmins last fall, Rau, a Texas State transfer, is averaging 43 yards per punt with one downed inside the 20-yard line.
"We haven't gone out there on the field as much, which is a good thing, but he hit some really good balls last week," Illinois special teams coordinator Chris Hurd said. Rau had punts of 48 and 49 yards, but also a rough 33-yarder. "The big thing with him was being a consistent guy on a day-to-day basis. He's built his routine. I think you keep seeing him work to get better every day."
Illinois' rebuilt defensive line has a mix of body types and abilities. Darrell Prater is a space eater at nose tackle at 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, while his backup, Carter Janki, brings more length to the position at 6-5, 295.
Pat Farrell is pure power at defensive end, while Joe Barna has a mix of power and speed on the opposite side of the line. Will Holmes adds value as a pass-rush specialist. Causing chaos for the Ohio State offensive line is a tricky proposition, but one Illinois has to accomplish.
"It's all about development," Illinois defensive line coach Jordan Thomas said about how he helps grow those skill sets. "There's some guys that have a deep bag of tricks and some other guys that just have one or two moves and they do a great job with those one or two moves. When guys come in, I see what they do well at first and see what they do naturally and refine that over the time I have them here at Illinois."
Two key matchups
The ACC's top running back gave Illinois fits two weeks ago, and Duke's Nate Sheppard has continued to be a menace to opposing run defenses. The Buckeyes don't have a singularly dominant back. It's the combination of Bo Jackson (no, not that Bo Jackson) and Ja'Kobi Jackson that has provided an effective counterpoint to one of the best passing offenses in the country. Bo Jackson is averaging 5.9 yards per carry as the primary option, while Ja'Kobi Jackson has been the big hitter with 7.1 yards per carry and a team-high four touchdowns.
A rebuilt group of top defensive backs has still proven effective for the Buckeyes after losing safeties Caleb Downs and Lorenzo Styles Jr. and cornerback Davison Igbinosun to the NFL. Ohio State has three interceptions and 13 pass breakups through three games, with Jermaine Matthews Jr. and Jay Timmons anchoring the Buckeyes' pass defense on the edge at cornerback. Houser has been both effective (758 passing yards) and efficient (74 percent completion rate) so far this season, but Ohio State will present his toughest challenge yet.
One stat that matters
The Illinois defense managed to cut back on chunk plays allowed against Southern Illinois, with the Salukis managing just four — three completions of 15 yards or more and one rush of 10 yards or more. A notable dip after UAB had eight chunk plays and Duke finished with 11. What didn't change against SIU, however, was Illinois' struggles once teams reach the red zone. Through three games, the Illini have allowed a 100 percent conversion rate in the red zone with seven touchdowns and four made field goals.
Illinois will win if ...
it can slow down Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. And wide receivers Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Inniss and Chris Henry Jr. And running backs Bo Jackson and Ja'Kobi Jackson. The Buckeyes have the most potent offense in the Big Ten, rank ninth nationally in total offense (523.3 yards per game) and are tied for 12th in scoring offense (46.0 points per game). Full on stopping Ohio State has proven borderline impossible, but the Illini defense has to get off the field and give what's been a fairly productive offense a chance to keep up.
Ohio State will win if ...
there's not a repeat of the fourth-quarter disaster in Austin, Texas, that sent the Buckeyes from on the verge of a signature early-season win to one of their more disappointing losses of late (outside of the Michigan rivalry). Ohio State let that game slip away against the Longhorns with its inability to sustain drives offensively or get stops against Texas quarterback Arch Manning. A missed field goal didn't help matters. Other than that fourth-quarter meltdown, there hasn't been much else to nitpick in two blowout wins against MAC opponents.