Ohio State 30, Illinois 20 (Nov 15)

[JXC]

Originally Posted by Taosman

I have seen enough Buckeye seasons ruined with one bad call. It seems to happen every 10 years or so. A team will have their best game against us(nothing new here) and it will come down to a referee's call or no call. Just the way it is. But, still maddening.

Well hopefully this guy stays away from this game.

Originally Posted by BuckTwenty

Key to the game on defense will be whether our DL can cause havok on the line and force Juice into bad throws or runs he can't get out of.

Is this really the key to the game? Anybody else have a take on the key to the game?

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by OCBucksFan

I miss the Ilibuck trophy!

Actually, we still have it...we bring it to the game this year to give it back to them for their win last year. Even if we beat them, we won't get it back until they bring it to Columbus next year (although the two below sources disagree if the presentation of the Illibuck occurs at halftime or between the third and fourth quarters...I think it's the latter):

Link
"...the trophy is still presented to the winning school of the previous year's contest at halftime."

Link
"Members of two junior honorary societies, Bucket and Dipper of Ohio State and Atius Sachem of Illinois, meet between the third and forth quarters of the game to present the Illibuck Trophy, a wooden turtle, to the winners of the previous year."

[(o) IoI /o\ (o)]

Originally Posted by MililaniBuckeye

Actually, we still have it...we bring it to the game this year to give it back to them for their win last year. Even if we beat them, we won't get it back until they bring it to Columbus next year (although the two below sources disagree if the presentation of the Illibuck occurs at halftime or between the third and fourth quarters...I think it's the latter):

Link
"...the trophy is still presented to the winning school of the previous year's contest at halftime."

Link
"Members of two junior honorary societies, Bucket and Dipper of Ohio State and Atius Sachem of Illinois, meet between the third and forth quarters of the game to present the Illibuck Trophy, a wooden turtle, to the winners of the previous year."

The presentation happens in the 4th Quarter. Below is a picture from the presentation last year from my seats. I don't know if it is different from one year to the next, but this is how it went last year.

[OHSportsFan9]

Go Bucks! Beat Illinois!

[Zurp]

Originally Posted by JXC

Is this really the key to the game? Anybody else have a take on the key to the game?

My take is that the key to the game will be the number of times the "chain gang" is called upon to measure first-downs. That and the number of hot dogs sold. Multiply those two numbers. If it's 100,000 or more, and Ohio State has a 78% chance to win. If's below that, Ohio State needs to find a way to win.

(Extra points for the one who can tell me the game where Gary Danielson's key to the game for Ohio State's opponent to beat Ohio State's defense was "Find a way".)

[BuckeyeNation27]

Originally Posted by Taosman

Some Illinois stats;
Scoring Defense Rank...#72..allowing an avg. 26 points a game
Team Passing Defense..Rank#.67. ...209.00yds a game(this probably won't help us)
Team Rushing Defense..Rank#64........142.1yds a game

Scoring Offense rank 32..scoring an avg. 31.4 points a game

all stats courtesy of ncaafootball.com

Illinois was starting 2 freshman at tackle on offense Saturday, and Juice was feeling the heat all day against Western Michigan! They scored just 17!

guaranteed they play a lot better than these stats indicate. every [censored]ing team does.

[stowfan]

After the Illni's loss to WMU I'm really hoping we win this game. Losing this Saturday would be a real black eye where our bowl hopes are concerned. Money talks, and tOSU travels well, so I'm guessing all the bowls are pulling for us on Saturday.

[Redhawk]

Originally Posted by MililaniBuckeye

Actually, we still have it...we bring it to the game this year to give it back to them for their win last year. Even if we beat them, we won't get it back until they bring it to Columbus next year

That seems kinda weird. Are any of the other trophies handled like that?

[Bleed S & G]

I'll be there

[Apache]

Illinios is one of those teams that can play awful and then great. Ohio State beware. We owe them one!

[jimotis4heisman]

major key to the game: the team that scores more points will win this game...

[3074326]

Originally Posted by jimotis4heisman

major key to the game: the team that scores more points will win this game...

I disagree. Like last year, the refs will be the key to the game.

Kidding, jo.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Link

Illini looking for a season-saver

November 10, 2008
BY HERB GOULD

Asked Sunday if the silver lining of playing No. 10 Ohio State on Saturday (11 a.m., ESPN) is that he won't have to worry about his players being up for the game, Ron Zook suppressed a grim laugh.
There has been much discussion about the Illini not being emotionally ready in their losses to Minnesota, Wisconsin and Western Michigan. But it's difficult to say where that ranks among a serious of problems that have developed. Turnovers, a banged-up offensive line and young running backs also can make a team look unprepared. And that's just on offense.

Continued..............

[dnewmire]

Illinois has not looked great all year, they have had flares of brilliance from Juice but other then that nothing really exceptional. But then again he tore us apart last year, I think it was a complete break down and lack of true respect towards the illini. I listen to Cowherd on the radio now, and he is making statements about us in the Fiesta bowl cuz we travel well... Well I dont know if we deserve a bowl game of that magnitude but I want us to win a big game here and shut some mouths. We have an amazing future ahead of us with pryor. I hope this game we are motivated to blow out illinois for last years debacle and then close out this season with one loss in the big 10. The season is not over yet and we can still make a great bowl and win out this season and shut some critics mouths along the way to set ourselves in a great position for next year.

D

[coryhulbert]

I hope Tressel starts a new "grudge" after the loss last season. He hates the entire state of Illinois now