Overview
- Kickoff is noon ET at Memorial Stadium in Champaign on FOX, with Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft on the broadcast.
- Ohio State is 5-0 (2-0 Big Ten) and leads the FBS in scoring defense at about 5 points allowed per game under first-year coordinator Matt Patricia.
- Redshirt freshman Julian Sayin leads the nation in completion rate (about 80%) and threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns in the 42-3 win over Minnesota.
- Illinois is 5-1 (2-1) at No. 17 with QB Luke Altmyer completing 73.6% with 12 TDs and no interceptions, rebounding from a 63-10 loss with wins over USC and Purdue.
- Betting markets list Ohio State around a two-touchdown favorite and ESPN’s FPI puts the Buckeyes’ win probability at roughly 82%, while Day notes DE Kenyatta Jackson has “definitely a chance” to play.