Ohio State Football: 3 predictions for Illinois game

The undefeated Ohio State football team takes on the 2-3 Illinois Fighting Illini next Saturday in Champaign. Here are three predictions for the game.

Head coach Ryan Day and the Ohio State football team need to stay sharp against Illinois next Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Only having four games under their belt with the cancellation against Maryland, the Buckeyes need to stay focused as they try to manage their way through this strange season.

Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw for 491 yards on this Buckeye secondary last weekend in Columbus. Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters will be looking for some success against this reeling Buckeye secondary.

On the other side of the ball, Illinois held Nebraska quarterbacks to only 177 yards in the air on its way to a 41-23 victory over the Cornhuskers. They also registered three interceptions in the win. Here are three predictions for Saturday’s game.

No. 3: Justin Fields gets back to form

The Ohio State quarterback actually looked human last Saturday against Indiana after a near-perfect three-game start to his season. Throwing three picks and looking like he was trying to do too much against the Hoosiers have some thinking that he is out of the Heisman running.

Look for a rebound game here against Lovie Smith and Illinois. The Fighting Illini defense comes in riding high after gaining five turnovers last week against Nebraska. But Luke McCaffery isn’t Justin Fields.

Fields should be on a mission after registering possibly his worst game as a Buckeye quarterback. Looks for a 300-yard passing day and four touchdowns in the air with another touchdown on the ground for Fields in this one as he gets himself back into Heisman Trophy contention.