Ohio State takes on Illinois this weekend in what should be a fairly easy win for the Buckeyes. There are some pitfalls the team can not fall into, however. OSU has a more talented roster overall and that should help. With Ryan Day being sidelined for the game, coaching will play a huge role in the game, but it shouldn’t be too much of a problem in this one.
We shall see.
The 2020 Ohio State Buckeyes are still trying to get their defense to be more complete, so a lot of may be on the offense. That doesn’t mean the defense won’t have to play its role, but this season it all starts when this team has the ball. Let’s look at the five keys to an Ohio State victory Saturday over Illinois.
NEXT … Master Teague has to be unleashed
Master Teague can overpower the Illinois defense
“I thought this game was your coming-out party.”@ReggieBush sits down with @OhioStateFB’s @MasterTeagueIII to break down his huge 169 yard, 2 touchdown performance against Indiana 🔥🌰 pic.twitter.com/Vg5kLiG6Jc
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 26, 2020
The Fighting Illini have a rather fast defense, so expecting the Buckeye running attack to outrun it might be a little bit of a stretch, but it is not ready for a punishing attack. Ohio State running back Teague has the ability to hit defensive players and make them think about hitting him the next time he comes rumbling through the line. He has enough burst and moves to break a few longer runs, but breaking tackles will be huge.
If Teague can keep the Buckeyes ahead of the chains with solid pickups, it should open things up for Justin Fields to throw. The Illini are not going to let a lot get deep if it can help it, so getting Teague to pick up solid yardage early will help. Teague will help Fields, and Fields can help Teague.
NEXT … Speaking of Justin Fields
Baring a COVID setback, Justin Fields will be vital without Ryan Day
THANKFUL THAT JUSTIN FIELDS IS MY QB pic.twitter.com/PRHRdcUVjs
— Arrogant Ryan Day (@ArrogantBuckeye) November 27, 2020
With Ryan Day out for the game, as long as Justin Fields is playing he will need to be the general on the field. He should take what he learned against a very good Indiana defense and use that against a faster, albeit not as talented, Illinois defense. Take what is given and set up the big plays with the run and shorter passes.
Fields should also get some carries this game. Combining that with Master Teague should force the Illini defense to creep up towards the line. If that happens, Fields should be able to hit deeper passes by keeping the defense honest. Don’t try to press, run the ball, and force Illinois to pick its poison.
NEXT … Don’t settle for field goals
Regardless of who is kicking for Ohio State, avoiding field goals for TDs is key
Ryan Day: “We've missed too many field goals. I'm not happy about that at all … That's something that obviously Coach (Matt) Barnes and everyone is focusing on this week … it's unacceptable.”
With Blake Haubeil out, Jake Seibert missed his only field goal try vs. Indiana.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) November 25, 2020
Before I get too far into this, I am not saying don’t kick any field goals, but rather, don’t play thinking you can settle for a field goal. The kicking game has been a little rough for Ohio State this season and Blake Haubeil being out doesn’t help at all. A missed field goal won’t doom this team in this game, but not settling for them right now will help down the stretch while the coaching staff figures everything out.
Scoring points will also help the defense, which to this point has not been consistent enough to rely on. Illinois can not keep up with Ohio State in scoring points, so getting ahead will force the Fighting Illini to have to become one-dimensional. Without Ryan Day, it might be even more of a necessity to cash in on touchdowns in this one.
NEXT … Stop the run
Stopping the run probably means you stop Illinois
Illinois will test #OhioState’s run defense this Sat. They are B1G’s #2 rushing attack; avg 222.4 ypg. The #Buckeyes rush defense, #2 in B1G, allows an average of 98.5 ypg.
OSU leads the B1G in rushing at 233.2 ypg; the Illini allow an average of 194.6 ypg.#GoBucks #BeatIllinois pic.twitter.com/whDVIcBOg0— Buckeye Fans Only (@buckeyefansonly) November 24, 2020
Illinois has a really good rushing attack. However, the passing attack has not been very good and is certainly not the Illini’s strength. Illinois has a two-headed monster at running back that eat up yards on the ground. It all starts with the rushing attack, and it also ends with the rushing attack.
As long as Ohio State can slow down Chase Brown, Mike Epstein, and quarterback Isaiah Williams (when in the game) it will force Illinois to throw the ball, and that could be all she wrote. The Fighting Illini have had some issues throwing the ball no matter who is taking snaps. Keep Illinois passing and let the secondary do its job.
NEXT … Time for the secondary to step up
Forcing Illinois to pass will work as long as the secondary makes plays
SHAUN WADE PICK-6️⃣ #DBU
— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 21, 2020
This has been a weird year for the Ohio State secondary. Shaun Wade was once thought to be a top ten pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but some shaky play has dropped him for many experts. His interception against Indiana is the type of play he’ll need to make if the Buckeyes can stop the Illinois rushing attack.
It isn’t all about Wade, but it does start with him. The back-end of the defense will need to take advantage of a very pedestrian passing attack if Illinois becomes one-dimensional. Scoring on defense, or creating a short field will help get Ohio State to get ahead early in the game. Without Ryan Day, making plays to ease the pressure on the coaching staff will help. Stop the run, play tight coverage, and make plays on the ball.
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