The Illibuck rivalry is back finally and Ohio State will look to add another victory to the history books.
The 5-0, No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes head to Champaign this Saturday for a noon showdown against the No. 17 Illinois Fighting Illini. Ohio State enters the matchup as 14.5-point favorites and has looked sharper with each passing week. Illinois is no pushover and will come ready to compete, but we’re backing the Buckeyes to stay unbeaten and move to 6-0.
Each week, we like to break down the game from a few different angles. One of the ways we do that is by identifying why Ohio State is positioned to take care of business and walk away with a win. That’s exactly what we’re doing again this week.
Here are five reasons we believe the Buckeyes will come out on top Saturday afternoon in Champaign against Illinois.
Julian Sayin is beginning to cook for Ohio State
Julian Sayin has not only met expectations this season. He’s exceeded them. The freshman quarterback currently leads the nation in completion percentage, sitting above 80 percent, which is just a ridiculous stat no matter how you look at it. He’s been calm and composed in the pocket, has taken big hits to make tough throws, and consistently takes what the defense gives him. His play has been so steady and sharp that the Heisman buzz is finally starting to build, and he now sits in the top seven for best odds to win the award.
Back in late August, an Ohio State fan on X (formerly Twitter) joked, “Julian Sayin plays football like he is listening to Maroon 5 in his AirPods.” Sayin leaned all the way into it. He shared the post on his Instagram story, then after the win over Washington, he doubled down with photos soundtracked by Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning.” Objectively hilarious and kind of accurate. Sayin really does play like he’s got a laid-back Maroon 5 playlist in his ears, calmly finding open receivers like he’s out for a smooth afternoon stroll.
There’s not much more you can say. He’s been outstanding, and he’ll look to keep things rolling this week against an Illinois defense that has struggled to stop anyone.
Julian Sayin plays football like he is listening to Maroon 5 in his AirPods 🔥
— Hamp (@Ron_Hamp) August 30, 2025
Fighting Illini Defense
This Illinois defense brings a unique look with its 3-4 base and a wide mix of subpackages designed to create chaos. The Illini want to be aggressive, aiming to generate sacks and force turnovers. So far this season, they’ve recorded just two interceptions, but they've also forced seven fumbles and totaled 15 sacks. Expect Julian Sayin to get the ball out quickly and lean on the run game with Bo Jackson and the rest of the backfield to keep the Illinois defense honest and open up opportunities through the air as the game progresses.
As aggressive as Illinois tries to be, this defense has struggled to keep points off the board. Against Duke, it gave up 438 total yards and 19 points. Indiana lit the Illini up for a staggering 579 yards and 63 points. Even in recent wins over USC and Purdue, they still allowed 490 yards and 32 points, and 453 yards and 27 points, respectively. Teams have found success both on the ground and through the air against this group, and with playmakers like Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate on the field Saturday, it’s tough to see Illinois having enough answers to slow down this Buckeye offense.
Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia
Matt Patricia has completely transformed this Ohio State defense. The guy is a true sicko in the best way possible and refuses to let opposing offenses get anything going. It has been incredible to watch. Through five games, the Buckeye defense is allowing just 215.8 total yards per game and a ridiculous 5.0 points per game.
When Patricia was hired in the offseason, a lot of fans didn’t know what to make of it. With Jim Knowles heading to Penn State, the move felt like a bit of a shrug to some. But Patricia has taken over a unit with plenty of new faces and turned it into the most dominant defense in the country.
There is elite talent at every level, and come April, a lot of names from this defense will be called early in the NFL Draft. But no one in Columbus is getting ahead of themselves. The work is far from finished, and Patricia’s group will be tested again this Saturday.
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer has quietly put together a big season with over 1,500 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. Even more impressive, he hasn’t thrown a single interception yet. That’s a streak Ohio State’s defense will be looking to end in Champaign.
Ryan Day's Preparation at Ohio State
Earlier this week, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day was asked about Illinois’ lopsided 63-10 loss to Indiana just a few weeks ago. Day didn’t waste any time shutting it down, making it clear he’s not putting much stock into that result.
“I can’t explain that game. It’s an outlier,” Day said. “You have to throw out the film because that’s not who we’re playing. That’s not who they are. Bret is one of the best coaches in the country. He’s a resilient guy, and he has a resilient team.”
Day went on to stress the importance of preparation and energy this week, knowing the challenge that lies ahead.
“We need to have our best week of practice all year this week, and play with a ton of energy Saturday,” he said. “There’s going to be a great atmosphere there. I know that, and our players know that.”
Illinois has been tough at home, and Day clearly respects what Bret Bielema has built. With top-ranked teams around the country getting knocked off by underdogs each week, Day and the Buckeyes know they can’t afford to overlook anyone. Expect OSU to be fully locked in when they take the field in Champaign.
The Illibuck rivarly is reignited between Ohio State and Illinois
Illibuck, the turtle-shaped trophy awarded to the winner of the Ohio State–Illinois game, hasn’t been seen much by the public since OSU QB J.T. Barrett held it back in 2017. Since then, it’s been locked away in a display case at the Kuhn Honors and Scholars House on Ohio State’s campus, quietly waiting for the next chapter of the rivalry.
The original Illibuck was introduced in 1925 and was an actual 16-pound snapping turtle, chosen to represent long life and the hope for a lasting rivalry between the two schools. Sadly, the real Illibuck died in 1926, and to this day, there’s no clear consensus on how. In his place, ten wooden replicas have been carved over the years, each one featuring the scores from previous matchups etched into its back.
Illibuck holds the distinction of being the second-oldest trophy exchanged between Big Ten programs. Ohio State has won the last eight meetings, but these two teams haven’t faced off since 2017. Some Illinois fans still claim the Buckeyes dodged them in 2020 during the COVID season, adding another wrinkle to an already colorful history.
It’s the strange, storied rituals like this that give college football its unmatched charm. And on Saturday, Ohio State will look to keep Illibuck right where it’s been for the past several years, safe in Columbus.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State vs Illinois: 5 reasons the Buckeyes will beat the Illini
Category: General Sports
