By Woodrow Carroll
All of a sudden The Ohio State-at-University of Illinois Big Ten Conference football game at 11 a.m. Saturday generates a modicum of interest, however, only a couple of weeks back, the game was viewed by most observers a walkover victory for Ohio State.
After dropping three straight games to open the season, the Fighting Illini have won consecutive road victories over Rutgers, 23-20, and at Nebraska, the latter Saturday’s 41-23 victory. It certainly opened a few eyes with the manner in which Illinois breezed to victory on offense and defense. Quarterback Brandon Peters returned Saturday for the Illini after a COVID-19 sabbatical of three games. Peters completed 18 of 25 passes for 205 yards and one touchdown and connected with seven receivers. Neuqua Valley High School’s Donny Navarro hauled in five of passes for 58 yards. The running game did its part with two 100-yard rushers in Mike Epstein, 113, and Chase Brown, 110.
Ohio State, 4-0, did not fully strike fear with its 42-35 victory over visiting Indiana Saturday. The Buckeyes opened a big lead, then had to withstand a furious Indiana comeback. Touted Buckeyes’ quarterback Justin Fields had an off-day with three pass interceptions.
Illinois, 2-3, has been treated poorly by the Buckeyes in recent years. Ohio State has a nine-game winning streak over the Orange-and-Blue and won 12 of the past 13 meetings between the two schools. The Illini victory during that period was a 28-21 victory in Columbus, Ohio, in 2007. The Illini victory paved the way to the Rose Bowl. The oddsmakers this week have shown the Illini little respect and made them four-touchdown underdogs.
• Northwestern was a big winner with a 17-7 victory over visiting Wisconsin. Northwestern, 5-0, moved to first place alone in the Big Ten West race. In fact, Northwestern could lose one of their three remaining games and still be assured of playing the Big Ten East champion in the Big Ten championship game December 19 in Indianapolis.
Northwestern, will play at Michigan State, 1-3, Saturday. Wisconsin, 2-1, had played only two games prior to facing Northwestern. The two games, however, were 38- and 37-point victories over Illinois and Michigan. It was a good reason for the Badgers to be solid favorites entering Saturday’s game.
Northwestern will be targets from the rest of the season. All three of the remaining Northwestern foes have losing records, Michigan State 1-3, Minnesota 2-3, and Illinois 2-3.
Two years ago, Northwestern was 9-5 overall and 8-1 in Big Ten play. The Wildcats were Big Ten West champions, however, fell to Ohio State, East champion, 45-24.
Much was expected of Northwestern last season. Instead, it was a disappointing 3-9 run. Now with the strong start, the Wildcats may well tangle with Ohio State the Big Ten championship.
• Northern Illinois’ six-game schedule is half done. The results have been far from satisfying with a 0-3 record, all in the Mid-American Conference.
The Huskies will play at Western Michigan at 11 a.m. Saturday. Toledo will play Northern Illinois in DeKalb Saturday, Dec. 12 for NIU’s final home game.
Having lost at home both to Buffalo, 49-30, and Central Michigan, 40-10, the Huskies played at Ball State last week. Northern Illinois did make it close before falling, 31-25.
Northern Illinois led Ball State, 7-0, at the end of the first quarter and it was 14-all at halftime. The Cardinals moved in front for good in the third quarter and, despite a spirited effort by Northern Illinois in the late going, took the victory.