Scarlet and Game
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Ohio State Football: 3 predictions for Illinois game

By Frank Teriaca

Ryan Day will love having Kyle McCord entering the Ohio State football program next fall, and McCord might be the quarterback of the future. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
Ryan Day will love having Kyle McCord entering the Ohio State football program next fall, and McCord might be the quarterback of the future. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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Even though Justin Fields played his worst game last week, expect him to bounce back in a big way against a much less talented Illinois team. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Even though Justin Fields played his worst game last week, expect him to bounce back in a big way against a much less talented Illinois team. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Ohio State 48 Illinois 14

The Buckeyes should come into this game angry. After a 35-7 halftime lead over Indiana, Ohio State let them right back into the game. The Scarlet and Gray were outscored 28-14 in the second half. Fields couldn’t find a rhythm, the defense was shaky. The Buckeyes have something to prove in this one.

Rest assured that Ryan Day will be challenging his team all week about finishing off an opponent. Especially the last two games against Indiana and Rutgers, the Buckeyes have had a big halftime lead only to fail to land the knockout punch in the second half.

This week they take the message to heart. Ohio State should be able to do whatever it wants against this Illinois defense who just doesn’t match up athletically to the Buckeyes. Look for Justin Fields to have a great first half followed by a steady diet of Master Teague to wear this defense down in the second.

On defense, the challenge is to shore up the secondary. Hopefully, Josh Proctor can have a positive impact and this Buckeye pass rush is able to get to Brandon Peters.

Next. Jae'Sean Tate signs with the Houston Rockets. dark

Ohio State rolls 48-14 and sets up a December 5th showdown with Mel Tucker and Michigan State.

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