Ohio State @ Illinois preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 2, 2010 ) Ohio State 24, Illinois 13

THE STORY: Ohio State’s two biggest weapons will return to the backfield when it visits No. 15 Illinois Saturday. Senior RB Dan Herron returns from a six-game suspension and dynamic freshman QB Braxton Miller, who left last weekend’s 34-27 loss to Nebraska with an ankle injury, is expected to face a frenzied Fighting Illini defense. Illinois ranks 15th in the nation in yards allowed and leads the Big Ten in sacks. The Illini can tie the 1951 squad for the program’s best start if they can improve to 7-0 and snap an eight-game home losing streak to OSU.

TV: ABC. LINE: Illinois -4

ABOUT OHIO STATE (3-3, 0-2 Big Ten): The plug was pulled on the Buckeyes' offense when Miller went down with OSU leading Nebraska 27-20 in the third quarter, leaving former starter Joe Bauserman to take snaps. He completed just 1 of 10 passes and was picked off while Nebraska scored 28 unanswered points to steal the victory. The Buckeyes should get a boost from the return of Herron, who rushed for 1,155 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Starting offensive lineman Marcus Hall also returns after serving a one-game suspension last weekend.

ABOUT ILLINOIS (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten): The Fighting Illini have a Heisman sleeper in dual-threat QB Nathan Scheelhaase. The sophomore is averaging over 264 yards of total offense, giving an already-dangerous running game extra pop. Illinois is 14th in rushing in the country, using a loaded backfield to march for 226 yards an outing. Ohio State must also keep a close eye on WR A.J. Jenkins, who is having a breakout season. The senior is fourth in the nation in receiving yards (815) and has caught seven touchdown passes – four of those scores coming on plays of 50 or more yards.

EXTRA POINTS

1. This is the 94th meeting between Ohio State and Illinois. The Buckeyes lead the all-time series 62-30-4, including a 33-12 edge in Champaign. They’ve outscored Illinois 227-92 in the past eight games at Memorial Stadium.

2. In the last two seasons, OSU is 20-3 in games in which Herron has scored a rushing touchdown. The Buckeyes are 18-1 in games in which Herron has rushed for at least 55 yards.

3. Illinois has forced a turnover in 21 straight games, going back to Nov. 14, 2009. The Illini recovered a fumble and recorded an interception in last week’s 41-20 win over Indiana.

PREDICTION: Illinois 24, Ohio State 17 – Illinois takes the Illibuck Trophy and stakes its claim as a true contender for the Big Ten Leaders Division crown with a win Saturday.