• Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
  • Consider registering! Fewer and higher quality ads, no emails you don't want, access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Even if you just want to lurk, there are a lot of good reasons to register!

Game Thread Game Nine: Ohio State 40, Illinois 2 (final)

I'll get some pics of her

Heather Mitts
32.gif


heather_mitts.jpg

scooter
 
Upvote 0
I think OSU wins BIG. They handled the best passing team in the country (at the time) Michigan St as well as the best rushing team in the country (at the time) Minnesota. They also have came away with clear cut victories over Iowa, Indiana and Miami OH who are much, much better teams than Illinois.

Seems that OSU has found its rythem with Smith. Troy Smith leads the conference (in conference play) with completion effeciency - 12th in the nation - and helps his team average 181 rush yards per game. Ginn can not be contained on special teams by some of the weaker defensive players on Illinois Special Team coverage. Holmes and Gonzolez are too fast and cut routes too sharpe for the Orange and Blue to handle (see Minnesota). Illinois is lowely on defense, and isnt quite nearly enough to contain a spread offense, QB options, two flankers/two SE's, PA draws and screens. This was evident in the Wisky and Penn St. games. Pittman comes in this game as the 4th best back in the Big Ten and on his way for 1000 yards this season and should carve it up nicely Saturday. The front four for Illinois isnt dominant enough to go play, after play, after play with our hulking offensive line. On defense, Kudla brings the wood along with Carpenter throwing his hand down on a few blitz attacks this game. There should be about 5-6 sacks in this one for the Bucks. Tackles will be plentiful for the whole LB Crew and the secondary may get a pick with the eager Malcm Jenkins.

A few big plays may happen to set up 2-3 field goals for Illinois, but nothing too strong that will give Illinois the momentum edge. The home crowd will be in this one as this is a rivalry game and OSU is playing for its 30th Big Ten title. Tressel doesnt run up the score, but he will make sure we are in the 40s before the second teamers come in. OSU should be done with this one in hand around the end of the 3rd. Second team OSU defense may allow a score or two but nothing extravigant to make us tremble. Basically, this is an OSU tune up for Northwestern and a game to make Illinois faithfull wonder if Zook still has it in him to be a good coach in a strong conference. OSU wins 48-16, a pick, a Special Teams TD and over 100 yards rushing.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
Seems that OSU has found its rythem with Smith. Troy Smith leads the conference (in conference play) with completion % - 12th in the nation - and helps his team average 181 rush yards per game.

I believe you meant to say passing efficiency, rather than completion %.

Please edit your post if you agree. Just trying to maintain accuracy in what folks read. :)
 
Upvote 0
The not so famous Illibuck

Columbus- A.J. Hawk knew it was a turtle.
The Ohio State linebacker's knowledge of the Illibuck Trophy ended there.
"I don't know the story behind it or anything," Hawk said.
For instance, Hawk did not know that the original Illibuck was a real turtle who was expected to be part of the Ohio State-Illinois rivalry for a good 50 years, but died in just two years after living in the bathtub of an Illinois fraternity. He didn't know the trophy, created in 1925, is the second oldest in the Big Ten along with the Old Oaken Bucket. Or that the trophy, now a wooden replica, isn't exchanged between the football teams, but between honorary societies at the two universities.
Matt Fulmer, an Ohio State junior and co-chairman of the Illibuck celebration for the Bucket and Dipper Honorary society, is happy to explain all this to anyone who will listen. All week Fulmer and co-chairman Reid Rice have been parading the 25-pound wooden turtle around OSU's campus, hoping to drum up interest in the Big Ten's most forgotten trophy.
"Some students spot it from 50 feet away and point at it and can't believe they get to hold it," Rice said. "And some students give us a look like, 'What's that thing?' "
Beginning in 1914, Ohio State had played Illinois for 89 consecutive years, creating the Buckeyes' longest ongoing rivalry. (The Michigan game is uninterrupted since 1918.)
The rotating Big Ten schedule ended that, giving the series two years off in 2003 and 2004. With the turtle already on shaky ground, concern grew that the Illibuck would be no more. That would shortchange the history of the Illinois game, which for most of the 1920s and early '30s was important enough to be played the week after Michigan. "If you're a big Buckeye fan, you probably know about the trophy," said OSU historian Jack Park, "because there were years Illinois-Ohio State was a pretty big thing."
So the honorary society went about trying to save the turtle.
In an on-field halftime ceremony, Illinois will pass the trophy to OSU based on the outcome of the last game, the Buckeyes' 23-16 OT win during their 2002 national championship season. Appropriately, 1955 Heisman Trophy winner Howard "Hopalong" Cassady also will be honored Saturday on the 50th anniversary of his award. Cassady was a member of Bucket and Dipper.
Assuming an Ohio State win, Rice and Fulmer would love to pass the Illibuck into the hands of a Buckeye player.
"It's the only trophy I know of where the players don't get to touch it," Rice said.
Injury update:
Coach Jim Tressel said Wednesday that right tackle Kirk Barton and defensive back Tyler Everett appear on track to the return to the lineup Saturday. Tressel said that although freshman Alex Boone played well in Barton's place for three games, Barton will get his starting job back, as will Everett.

http://www.cleveland.com/osufootball/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1131013850122322.xml&coll=2
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
BuckeyePride85 said:
Illinois is decent on defense

Illinois sucks ass on defense. They've held only one team (San Jose State) under 30 points this season. Here's how their defense has fared in conference play:

Michigan State: 61 points (705 yards) including 28 points in 2nd qtr
Iowa: 35 points (476 yards)
Indiana: 36 points (403 yards)
Penn State: 63 points (438 yards) including 56 points in first half (28 each in 1st and 2nd qtrs)
Wisconsin: 41 points (464 yards)

They give up an average of 47 points and 497 yards per game. They've given up 28 points in the second quarter twice, and both times were at home.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
Illinois sucks ass on defense. They've held only one team (San Jose State)under 30 points this season. Here's how their defense has fared in conference play:

Michigan State: 61 points (705 yards) including 28 points in 2nd qtr
Iowa: 35 points (476 yards)
Indiana: 36 points (403 yards)
Penn State: 63 points (438 yards) including 56 points in first half (28 each in 1st and 2nd qtrs)
Wisconsin: 41 points (464 yards)

They give up an average of 47 points and 497 yards per game. They've given up 28 points in the second quarter twice, and both times were at home.

Didnt know that much in depth about yards per. I knew they sucked balls with points per, but damn, lemme revise my statement. lol.
 
Upvote 0
Now do they still smoke the peace pipe during half time (opposing school officials) on the 50yard line? Along with Cassidy being honored this year, I believe they are also retiring the #47 jersey making Hawk the last to don it. :biggrin:
 
Upvote 0
Seeing how Illinois has given up 28 points in the second quarter in two of their five conference games, I got curious as to which quarter was our most prolific in conference play. Here's our quarter-by-quarter scoring breakdown in the Big Ten so far this year:

<table><tr><td align="right" width="200">Iowa**</td><td align="right">7</td><td align="right">10</td><td align="right">7</td><td align="right">7</td></tr><tr><td align="right" width="200">Penn State**</td><td align="right">3</td><td align="right">7</td><td align="right">0</td><td align="right">0</td></tr><tr><td align="right" width="200">Michigan State**</td><td align="right">7</td><td align="right">7</td><td align="right">7</td><td align="right">14</td></tr><tr><td align="right" width="200">Indiana**</td><td align="right">7</td><td align="right">10</td><td align="right">14</td><td align="right">10</td></tr><tr><td align="right" width="200">Minnesota**</td><td align="right">17</td><td align="right">0</td><td align="right">14</td><td align="right">14</td></tr><tr><td align="right" width="200">TOTALS**</td><td align="right">41</td><td align="right">34</td><td align="right">42</td><td align="right">45</td></tr></table>

Fortunately for Illinois, the second quarter has been our least prolific scoring-wise in conference. Then again, we could match our second quarter total of 34 points against them...
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
<table><tbody><tr><td align="right" width="200">Iowa**</td><td align="right">7</td><td align="right">10</td><td align="right">7</td><td align="right">7</td></tr><tr><td align="right" width="200">Penn State**</td><td align="right">3</td><td align="right">7</td><td align="right">0</td><td align="right">0</td></tr><tr><td align="right" width="200">Michigan State**</td><td align="right">7</td><td align="right">7</td><td align="right">7</td><td align="right">14</td></tr><tr><td align="right" width="200">Indiana**</td><td align="right">7</td><td align="right">10</td><td align="right">14</td><td align="right">10</td></tr><tr><td align="right" width="200">Minnesota**</td><td align="right">17</td><td align="right">0</td><td align="right">14</td><td align="right">14</td></tr><tr><td align="right" width="200">TOTALS**</td><td align="right">41</td><td align="right">34</td><td align="right">42</td><td align="right">45</td></tr></tbody></table>
Thanks for the breakdown Mili... Here is what I get from these stats:
  • We have scored in 17 out of 20 quarters this year. 2 of those scoreless quarters were against Penn St., the 2nd best defense in the Big10.
  • We have scored a touchdown in 16 out of 20 quarters. Again, 3 of those 4 touchdown-less quarters were against Penn St.
  • Average points scored per quarter: 8.2, 6.8, 8.4, 9 for 32.4 PPG
  • Main point: These stats should be inflated somewhat this week assuming our offense continues to produce the way they have the past few games. For arguments sake let's say we score 35 points keeping the PPG average around 32. If we score 32 points against the Wildkittens and scUM, we at least share the Big10 title, have a 9-2 regular season record, and go to a BCS bowl with the possiblility of a 10-win season. I like the sound of that.
:oh::io:
 
Upvote 0
http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/BF/20051104/SPORTS04/511040336/1057

Quote:


<TABLE cellSpacing=5 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=colorbar>Friday, November 4, 2005</TD></TR><TR><TD><!-- SUBSCRIBE PROMO LINK --><!-- ARTICLE HEADLINE --><!--HEADLINE-->Big brother has Zook's back
By JON SPENDER
GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=300 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=caption vAlign=top align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=200 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=story vAlign=top>
Related articles:
Return units send Ginn into high gear
Ohio State vs. Illinois matchups
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- ARTICLE TEXT --><!--ARTICLE TEXT-->
When Bob Zook of Mansfield tells friends he has tickets for Saturday's game at Ohio State, some probably react with envy. Others might offer condolences.
Bob's younger brother Ron is the first-year head coach at Illinois. His football team lost at home to Michigan State and Penn State by a combined 100 points. It's winless in the Big Ten and expected to get whacked around by the Buckeyes like Tony Soprano's worst enemy.
Bob Zook has a strong stomach. He has even stronger convictions when it comes to his brother's ability to resurrect the Frightening Illini.
"You're not going to come in and take over a program that had won four games the previous two years and turn it around overnight. You have to be realistic," Bob said. "How much difference can you make in seven days? A season is made up of 10 or 11 seven-day periods. You can't sign free agents. It's not going to happen in seven days. But it will over 700 days after two or three recruiting classes. That's the timeline you have to look at."
Believe me, OSU is looking. It sees that Zook's 2006 recruiting class already includes verbals from two Ohioans and a quarterback out of Chicago, Isaiah Williams, who had drawn offers from Ohio State, Iowa and Tennessee.
Count on this Ohio kid from Loudonville using all of his ties to this talent-rich state to rebuild a program that presently, perhaps shockingly, has only four Ohioans on its roster.
"He's another Ohio guy with connections to Ohio high school coaches," Greg Gillum, OSU's assistant recruiting coordinator, said. "I definitely think it's going to change (recruiting). They'll redirect their efforts and be back in Ohio with everybody else.
"(Zook's presence) raises the competitive level. Everybody's after the very best. Hopefully we recognize early the (high school) talent in Ohio and build relationships with those players so that we can withstand that, but at the same time we can't take them all. There's going to be some guys from Ohio that will continue to end up on other Big Ten rosters."
Zook, 51, was an OSU assistant under John Cooper from 1988-90, so he didn't walk back into the Big Ten blindly.
"I tell people that if things were great here (at Illinois), I wouldn't be here," he said, "so there's a lot of work to do. But the exciting thing about this place is that we have everything we need. The only thing we can't buy is experience ... but we'll get players in here and raise the athleticism of our team."
In three fitful years as head coach at Florida, Zook could never get out from under Steve Spurrier's shadow or please a president eager to replace him with old crony Urban Meyer. Those problems are behind him now.
"Ron has a great athletic director (Ron Guenther) with vision, who was a coach himself," Bob Zook said. "That should be a prerequisite for all athletic directors. The president (of the school) recently came to see him and told him to hang in there. That had never happened to him in 27 years of coaching."
Bob Zook isn't foolish enough to suggest the Illini will win Saturday -- "Many of these kids playing in front of 105,000 were riding a yellow bus last year at this time," he said -- but you might get a different answer if you ask him for a prediction in a couple of years.
Make that 700 days.
Prediction: Ohio State 42, Illinois 7

Originally published November 4, 2005
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Upvote 0
To record, or not to record?

I'm not superstitious, but I've seen a lot of evidence recently to support the theory that when I record a football game, it's bad luck.

Game 1 - Miami (OH) - I forgot to set up the VCR, and asked my wife to record it. She started late, and recorded on the 2-hour setting instead of 6-hour setting, so it was pretty worthless.
Game 2 - Texas - Start to finish, it recorded every crappy play.
Game 3 - SDSU - Recorded it all. I guess even bad luck couldn't stop the Bucks.
Game 4 - Iowa - Recorded it all (even where I got to be on TV). Again, even the bad luck wasn't terrible.
Game 5 - Penn State - I stopped the tape when Smith fumbled at the end.
Game 6 - Michigan State - I didn't even try to record this one. But my mom did. She either used a short tape or took lessons from my wife, because the tape ran out of space right AFTER Smith fumbled, before Michigan State attempted a field goal (which was tipped by Youboty, I believe). Before that, the Bucks were struggling. After that, they cruised to victory.
Game 7 - Indiana - Begining to think there's something to my theory, I didn't try to tape this one. But I guess my brother was about to try it. I forget the score, and time of game, but he decided to try taping the rest of the game. He put the tape in and Smith threw an interception near the goal line. I don't think he even pressed record. He took the tape out.
Game 8 - Minnesota - To my knowledge, none of the people I've listed tried to record this game.

So my question is that I may not be able to watch this game live. I figure that if I have to miss a game, this is a good game to miss. I'm also thinking that if there's a good game to have a little bad luck, this is it. If I record it, not such a terrible thing. Anyone going to try to talk me out of recording it?
 
Upvote 0
Back
Top