CHAMPAIGN -- Illinois football is back on track after two consecutive wins, including a dramatic finish vs. USC and a victory last week over rival Purdue.
The Illini (5-1) have climbed to No. 17 and back into the fringes of College Football Playoff and now return home for their biggest test of the season, against No. 1 Ohio State. The programs have not met since 2017.
Coach Bret Bielema and Illinois welcome Fox's Big Noon Kickoff for an 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 against coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes. The game is airing on Fox.
Illinois vs. Ohio State scouting report
Why Illinois has an advantage:
Illinois will have a very large and very vocal home crowd in Champaign, cheering on a team that can be very dynamic on offense and opportunistic on defense. Speaking of, the Illini will need to force multiple turnovers to slow a team as dangerous as Ohio State. Earn a few takeaways and add in a dash of Luke Altmyer at quarterback, the Illini have a puncher's chance.
Why Ohio State has an advantage:
The defending national champions have won 14 of the last 15 and boast one of the country's top defenses, allowing just 215.8 yards per game and two offensive touchdowns overall. On offense, they are led by the duo of quarterback Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith. There simply isn't much the Buckeyes don't do well.
Illinois vs. Ohio State predictions
Ohio State 31, Illinois 16: Going to be an electric atmosphere in Champaign. Illinois will hang around (and Luke Altmyer will give them a chance to win) but the Illini simply won't generate enough offense to hang with the top-ranked Buckeyes. -- Wes Huett
Ohio State 38, Illinois 17: Ohio State hasn't lost in Champaign since a 10-7 tank battle in 1991. Illini defense will have to contend with Ohio State QB and Heisman Trophy candidate Julian Sayin, and a balanced offense that could also go ground-and-pound. Luke Altmyer will have to deliver an error-free game against an Ohio State defense ranked No. 1 in the nation overall and No. 3 in stop rate at 84.2% of drives. Illini defense is ranked 75 in that metric. Illini RB Aidan Laughery might return from injury. The last time Illinois beat a team ranked No. 1 in the nation was 2007, and it propelled them to the Rose Bowl. That opponent? Ohio State. -- Dave Eminian
Ohio State 48, Illinois 13: The Buckeyes have owned this series in recent memory, winning the last nine in a row and 12 of the last 13. But Illini fans will forever remember that one victory -- a 28-21 win in Columbus over the country's top-ranked team. Now, Illinois gets a shot at No. 1 Ohio State on its home field. However, it will be a tall task for the Illini offense, which will face a Buckeye defense that has allowed 25 total points with no team scoring more nine points. -- Adam Duvall