This is the first week that the Ohio State Buckeyes are playing a Big Ten team. It's a rivalry game, as it's the battle for the Illibuck. Illinois comes to town for Ohio State's second straight Big Noon Kickoff game. It's a game that has the Buckeyes as massive favorites, which isn't surprising.
As we have done with every game, we give you some bold predictions heading into this game. It's a game that the Buckeyes will likely have a lot of new things they introduce to try to fix some of the issues they have had.
1. Ja'Kobi Jackson seals the starting running back job
Through three games, Florida transfer Ja'Kobi Jackson has been the best running back on the depth chart. Many expected Bo Jackson was going to take a leap this year as a sophomore. Instead, he hasn't run with the same vigor that Ja'Kobi has.
Ryan Day has even seen that in the three games that have been played so far. Day will give more opportunities to the back who is producing the most. In this game against Illinois, I fully expect Ja'Kobi Jackson to take a stranglehold on the starting job.
I think Jackson rushes for close to 100 yards, although I don't think he eclipses it. I think he rushes for 90 yards, as Ohio State still has some things it has to fix in the run game to have a 100-yard rusher for the first time this season. They can't be one-dimensional in the other games they play.
2. Jeremiah Smith makes Juice Clarke pay for what he did a year ago
Last season, Jeremiah Smith and Juice Clarke got into it. Very soon after, Smith burned Clarke for an easy touchdown. This year, Smith is certainly going to remember that exchange that happened in Illinois. He wants to make Clarke pay for what he did, and I fully expect him to do that.
Smith is going to be the best player on the field, and I fully expect him to have 120+ yards receiving and at least one touchdown in this matchup. Julian Sayin should be able to find him whenever he wants during this game, as Clarke isn't good enough to slow him down.
This could set up to be Smith's best game of the season so far. While it might be better for Sayin to try to find other receivers instead, Smith is just too good to ignore. Perhaps in the second half is when Sayin can focus on finding other receivers who can step up later in the year.
3. Ohio State beats Illinois by 30+ points
This is not the same team that Brett Bielema had a year ago. This Illinois team just doesn't quite have the same amount of talent. On the flip side, there is a reason why the Buckeyes were ranked first in the preseason polls. They are just too good, and this game likely won't be close.
I expect Ohio State to win this game 52-14. I believe that this will be the best game that the Buckeyes have played from start to finish all year long. That will be a good sign heading into next week's game against Iowa, which starts a brutal part of the schedule. Ohio State fans will be pleased with this effort.
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