Ohio State Football: 2017 game-by-game predictions
By Shane Lunnen
The first year for head coach Lovie Smith was not a good debut, but it was hard to expect much with the state of the program after the short tenures of Tim Beckman and Bill Cubit.
The Illini offense was putrid in 2016. They finished 123rd in the nation in total offense and 122nd in scoring offense. Quarterback Wes Lunt is gone and there is a competition for who the starter will be this coming season. By this game, the starter will be fully entrenched barring injury. Senior running back Kendrick Foster is back though so that should help after he had a solid 2016 campaign.
On defense, it will be challenging. The starting front four all has to be replaced. Linebacker Tre Watson is the only star on this defense right now and they need more of them. The secondary could be a strength though.
This will be a tune up game for Ohio State as they get ready for The Game the following week. Getting out of it without any injuries will be the goal. The Illini have not beaten the Buckeyes since 2007 so no one should expect that to be changing this year.
The Buckeyes get it done on the ground, pounding away at an over matched defensive line. Illinois can only manage a few field goals against the Ohio State defense and it’s over before the third quarter.