Ohio State Drops in AP Poll Despite Blowout Win, Turn Attention to Illinois In Big Ten Opener

Apparently a 56-point victory wasn’t enough to keep Ohio State from sliding in the polls.

Despite dismantling Kent State 59-3 Saturday afternoon at Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes dropped one spot from No. 6 to No. 7 in the latest Associated Press Top 25. Ohio State’s drop had more to do with movement around the Buckeyes than their performance against the Golden Flashes, as Ole Miss jumped from No. 8 to No. 4 following a 32-24 victory over LSU.

For Ryan Day’s team, rankings are secondary right now. The more important task is continuing to improve as Ohio State enters Big Ten play Saturday against Illinois at Ohio Stadium.

Ohio State responded exactly the way it needed to following its heartbreaking 24-23 loss at Texas. The Buckeyes jumped on Kent State early, scored on their first four possessions and cruised to a 59-3 victory. Ohio State improved to 2-1 and extended its home winning streak to 10 games.

Now the competition gets tougher. Illinois enters Columbus with the same 2-1 record after defeating Southern Illinois 48-10 last weekend. Saturday’s matchup will kick off at noon on FOX and will serve as the Big Ten opener for both programs.

The Buckeyes have put up some impressive offensive numbers through three games, averaging 523.3 yards and 46 points per contest. Julian Sayin has completed 70.9 percent of his passes for 839 yards, six touchdowns and only one interception.

Jeremiah Smith continues to be Sayin’s biggest weapon. The superstar receiver has 21 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns through three games. Against Kent State, Smith added another milestone to an already remarkable Ohio State career by becoming the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards.

But there is still one area that should concern the Buckeyes heading into conference play: the running game. Ohio State is averaging 158.7 rushing yards per game, and its struggles in short-yardage situations remain something to watch. The Buckeyes averaged only 3.8 yards per rushing attempt against Kent State after Texas held them to 3.0 yards per carry the previous week.

Bo Jackson leads Ohio State with 230 rushing yards on 39 carries, but the Buckeyes need more consistency from their offensive line. Establishing the line of scrimmage against Illinois would go a long way toward taking pressure off Sayin and opening up an already dangerous passing attack.

For the Illini, it starts with containing Jeremiah Smith. Illinois cannot afford to consistently leave Smith in one-on-one coverage. His combination of size, speed and ability after the catch makes him a threat from anywhere on the field.

Julian Sayin is another player the Illini defense will have to make uncomfortable. Sayin has shown tremendous accuracy through the first three games, and when given time in the pocket, he has enough weapons around him to pick apart a secondary.

Then there is Bo Jackson. Although Ohio State’s running game has been inconsistent, Jackson has shown the ability to break tackles and create explosive plays. If the Buckeyes can get him going early, Illinois could have a difficult time keeping Ohio State’s offense one-dimensional.

Ohio State’s defense will have its own challenge against Illinois quarterback Katin Houser. Houser has been efficient through his first three games with the Fighting Illini, completing 74.1 percent of his passes for 758 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions. Against Southern Illinois, he completed 23 of 29 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns.

Houser also isn’t completely unfamiliar with the Buckeyes. The former Michigan State quarterback has previous experience playing against Ohio State, which gives him at least some familiarity with the atmosphere and talent level he will encounter Saturday.

Perhaps the biggest Illinois playmaker Ohio State must locate on every snap is wide receiver Collin Dixon.

Dixon has been Houser’s favorite target, catching 25 passes for 367 yards and an impressive seven touchdowns through three games. He exploded against Southern Illinois for eight receptions, 131 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio State’s secondary has played well this season, allowing just 126 passing yards per game, but Dixon represents its most important assignment this weekend.

Running back Ca’Lil Valentine is another name to watch. He leads Illinois with 177 rushing yards on 38 carries. The Illini also received a spark last week from Aidan Laughery, who rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown on only four carries.

For Ohio State, Saturday’s game should begin in the trenches. The Buckeyes need to continue developing their offensive line and prove they can consistently pick up the tough yards on second-and-short and third-and-short. Those situations become increasingly important as the schedule moves deeper into Big Ten play.

Defensively, pressure on Houser will be critical. Allowing him to sit comfortably in the pocket and find Dixon downfield could give Illinois an opportunity to create explosive plays. Ohio State has allowed only 211.7 total yards and 10 points per game, and maintaining that defensive standard would put the Buckeyes in a strong position.

Ohio State also needs to avoid looking at Illinois as simply another tune-up game. This is the beginning of conference play, and every week from here forward carries additional importance.

The Buckeyes have dominated this series in recent years. Ohio State holds a 69-30-4 all-time advantage over Illinois and has won nine consecutive meetings. The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Illini 34-16 last season and will look to retain the Illibuck Trophy once again Saturday.

The AP voters may have dropped Ohio State one spot following its blowout of Kent State, but rankings in September will ultimately take care of themselves.

For the Buckeyes, the objective is much simpler: keep improving, establish a more consistent running game, protect Sayin and continue playing dominant defense.

Do those things, and Ohio State can begin Big Ten play on the right foot Saturday afternoon in the Horseshoe.