By Kareem Shaker

Columbus, OH

The Ohio State Buckeyes are reeling after suffering back-to-back losses for the first time since 2004, but a win on the road against the undefeated Illinois Fighting Illini Saturday may turn the season right back around.

The Buckeyes (3-3) come into Memorial Stadium having owned the Illini in their own house, winning eight straight there dating back to 1991. But this is a different Illini team, off to its best start under head coach Ron Zook and best since 1951 when the Illini started the season 7-0.

Iliinois (6-0) is led by sophomore QB Nathan Sheelhaase's 175.83 pass efficiency (5th, FBS) on offense and the Big Ten's highest sack average (3.67) on defense.

Sheelhaase, in addition to being a threat to run, has a solid superstar receiver in Biletnikoff Award candidate A.J. Jenkins. Jenkins is fifth in the nation with 135.8 yards receiving per game, inlcuding a school record 450 yards over the past two games.

Ohio State will have to rely on its special teams play (sixth in the NCAA with 27.4 yards per kickoff return) and defense, which ranks 17th nationally in fewest points allowed at 17.8 ppg.

The Buckeys will give freshman QB Braxton Miller his fourth career start, coming off just 186 total yards of offense at Nebraska in two and a half quarters of play. Miller will hand the ball to Carlos Hyde , who recorde his first career 100-yard rushing game and the first for the Buckeyes this season with 104 yards and two TDs at Nebraska.

 

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Buckeyes Look to Bounce Back Against Undefeated Illinois