The Ohio State football program is playing their second road game of the season, taking on Illinois in the battle for the Illibuck. It will be the first time that Ryan Day is taking on Illinois on the road as a head coach since the game in 2020 ended up being canceled due to COVID.
Heading into this game, Ohio State is undefeated and ranked as the number-one team in the country. They look like the best team in the country, a lot like they did at the start of last season. However, this team has been more dominant, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
With the Buckeyes playing in Champaign, they will be getting one starter back on the defensive line. Unfortunately for them, they will be without another defensive lineman who started the year as one of the four guys up front, as well as a defensive back.
The Ohio State football team will be without Eddrick Houston and Lorenzo Styles
Ohio State will be without both Eddrick Houston and cornerback Lorenzo Styles for this game. Styles has been dealing with a shoulder injury. Houston had an ankle injury before the season, but it seemed to be fully healed. He might be held out for other reasons.
Houston hasn't been starting the last couple of games after he's had some boneheaded penalties that have cost the Buckeyes. Tywone Malone has been starting in his stead and playing pretty well. It seems that Houston may have lost his starting spot for good.
Ohio State has so much depth on the defensive side of the ball that they should be able to handle these injuries without too many problems. The Buckeyes will be playing the best offense that they have faced so far this season, though.
It remains to be seen if the Fighting Illini can take advantage of these injuries. True freshman Devin Sanchez will get more snaps to replace Styles.