Ohio State opens Big Ten play this weekend, facing the Illinois Fighting Illini in game four.

The Buckeyes will look to shore up issues that have stood out through the first three weeks and start a challenging schedule on the right track. Here’s how the two squads match up as we close out the first quarter of the regular season.

Opponent Profile

The Illini feature some new looks, but a familiar foe at head coach in Bret Bielema. It may be hard to believe, but Bielema is in his sixth season at Illinois. Illinois is coming off the best two-year stretch in nearly two decades, going 17-9 with a 2-0 bowl record in that span. However, with the veteran standout in Luke Altmyer now with the Lions as a UDFA, things will look a little different.

At QB, Illinois brought in East Carolina transfer Katin Houser. In 21 games as a starter at ECU, Houser threw for 37 touchdowns accompanied by 17 interceptions. Houser can test OSU’s secondary, and so far this year his TD-to-INT ratio is 4:1 (8 TD, 2 INT). That being said, the potential for rushed decisions and turnovers is also glaring. If Ohio State has a prime opportunity for its pass rush to break out and become a difference maker, it’s this Saturday.

Illinois features a new 3-3-5 defensive scheme this year under new defensive coordinator Bobby Hauk. Hauk was head coach at the University of Montana before coming to the Illini, where he led the Grizzlies to eight Big Sky Conference titles in the FCS. Hauk also boasts four Big Sky Coach of the Year awards.

With the ever-changing world of college football, the Illini have struggled to afford the defensive line depth it requires to play with four down linemen. Bret Bielema sees this scheme change as an advantageous way to conform to the resources currently available in Champaign. Bringing in an experienced coach who used this scheme himself should help with that transition.

Through three games, however, Illinois sits in the bottom third of the Big Ten in both yards and points per game. This weekend will be a major test of this new look defense for Bielema and the Illini, considering OSU currently ranks 9th in the FBS in yards per game.

Hit the Ground Running

Ohio State opens conference play Saturday with an ‘L’ already in the loss column. With five of the remaining nine games against opponents currently ranked in the top 25, now is the time to seize and build momentum as OSU turns around and plays Iowa in a ruckus at Kinnick Stadium next week. A good way to silence that crowd would be to take the next step in the run game; something that Ryan Day spoke about this week.

“We all know what Bo and Isaiah can do. So, we need to see those guys really run angry” – Ryan Day

Coach Day has talked about the run game on a handful of occasions, citing the need for more explosive runs. Runs beyond 12 yards have been seldom so far this season, with only two since week. If you take away one quarter against Ball State when Bo and Ja’Kobi Jackson reeled off 65 and 49-yard touchdowns on consecutive drives, the chunk runs are almost nonexistent.

Even though explosive runs aren’t necessarily ‘common,’ the mere threat of them changes how a defense plays OSU. When opposing secondaries begin worrying about the run game, they worry less about Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith.

The line obviously plays a role in this process, too. With the line being shuffled on the right side, it could certainly have affected the run game. Second level blocks a big part of what leads to the type of runs that coach Day wants. If the issue continues, the staff may need to find the right personnel. This Saturday will be an important data point in evaluating whether the players were receptive to Ryan Day’s challenge of facing the 74th-ranked run defense in the FBS.

Under Pressure

The lack of pass rush has been the biggest concern on OSU’s defense so far. A rotation of edge rushers from Qua Russaw to Beau Atkinson to Zion Grady has all been given opportunities to stand out, but none have. Part of this issue is health, as Russaw started the year injured and Zion Grady missed the Kent State game and is listed as ‘questionable’ for Illinois.

The interior line has had a disappointing impact on the pass rush as a whole, but guys like Will Smith Jr. have begun to blossom into standouts, giving that unit hope moving forward. Regardless, OSU’s line hasn’t produced consistent pressure or sack numbers.

Defensive Linemen not named Kenyatta Jackson have 4.5 sacks through three games. Keep in mind that two of these three games were against MAC opponents. Illinois may not be a championship contender, but Bret Bielema teams are always very well coached and physical. This Illinois team also airs it out more than in years past, ranking in the top third of the FBS in passing yards per game.

As mentioned earlier, though, Illini QB Katin Houser has shown a propensity to turn the ball over. Illinois is also coming off a year when they ranked among the worst teams in the country in QB protection. Ohio State needs to take advantage of this matchup. Expanding Khary Wilder’s role seems like the best way to spark this line, but Ryan Day hasn’t declared Wilder anything but a 3rd-down starter yet.

Matt Patricia has been using linebackers on the line more often recently. This appears to be a look that will be featured this weekend on early downs, while also giving the uber-athletic Riley Pettijohn, who has a pair of sacks himself, more opportunities to make plays. No matter the method, the line must apply pressure moving forward. Illinois will be an important measuring stick for how this staff and team respond to this issue.

Prediction: Ohio State 38, Illinois 17

Game Details:

Illinois (2-1) vs. No. 7 Ohio State (2-1)

12 PM ET on FOX

Spread/Total: OSU -27.5/ O/U 54.5

Passing Leaders:

Julian Sayin: 839 yards, 6 TD, 1 INT with 70.9% completion

Katin Houser: 758 yards, 8 TD, 2 INT with 74.1% completion

Rushing:

Bo Jackson: 230 yards on 39 carries, 2 TD

Ca’Lil Valentine: 177 on 38 carries, 1 TD

Receiving:

Jeremiah Smith: 400 yards on 21 receptions, 3 TD

Collin Dixon: 367 yards on 25 receptions, 7 TD