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| Buckeyes' RB Carlos Hyde ran all over Illinois' defense, accounting for 137 rushing yards and 3 TD's. |
Finally, a game that you won't biting your finger nails in the 4th quarter. Despite another slow start (which we have come accustomed to see this season) Ohio State rolled up 567 total yards of offense and thumped Illinois, 52-22. For the fourth time this season the Buckeyes went over the 50-point mark, as QB Braxton Miller had another stellar performance, in getting the Buckeyes to 10-0, their best start since 2007. Now, the Buckeyes head into their Bye Week, facing what most people predicted back during preseason camp, a two-game season. The Buckeyes travel up to Madison, WI on the 17th to face the Badgers, then will face their arch rivals from that school up north, the Saturday following Thanksgiving. It's been a wild 2012 season up to this point, and would be great to finish it off with a perfect 12-0 mark, as we all start to wonder, what it would have been like, if they were bowl eligible. O-H-I-O!
Braxton continues racking up the yards and scores, as he went for 299 total yards, and accounted for 3 TD's (2 pass, 1 rush). He's been the heart and soul of this offense from day 1 this season, and it's amazing that he's just a sophomore and still learning Urban's spread attack. I thought that they were making a good effort in the passing game during this game. Braxton completed 12 passes on 20 attempts, and it seemed like he was making an effort in throwing the ball down the field. His pass & catch TD to Rod Smith was awesome to watch. Carlos Hyde continues to run all over defenses as he went over the 100-yard mark on the ground for the 3rd time this season, and with two games left has a chance to top 1,000-yards on the season. The bye week will be nice, to get healthy, and work in maybe a few (trick) plays for the last two games of the season. Keep it going, Buckeyes!
Defense:
Since the Indiana game (allowing 49 pts.), this unit has really played well. In the last three weeks, they have limited giving up the big plays, and have done a better job in tackling. In this game, this unit gave up two early FG's and really got after Illinois' offense early and often. In the 2nd half, they gave up a touchdown, following a Buckeyes turnover, and the other score for the Fighting Illini was scored off a fumble return. The front seven is doing a great job in the running game, and getting presser on the QB. The DB's still freak me out, but I see them getting a few critical INT's in the final two games. This unit will only get better over the years, as Urban has already done a great job in recruiting some top defensive players across the nation, to come in and fit in. SILVER BULLETS!
Special Teams:
Due to a number of blocked punts this season, and allowing some big returns in the kick coverage, I was informed I needed to mention this unit. Again, yesterday, the Illini had a chance for a blocked punt earlier on following another mishap in the Buckeyes coverage unit. Illinois KR had 158 yards in return yardage (26 ypr) with a 45-yard long. This unit worries me in the final two games, as one mishap from this unit could be the difference in a game, possibly a costly one. For this unit to be Urban's brain child, it would be nice to see a better effort out of them.
Next Week:
The Buckeyes (10-0) enter their bye week with a lot of confidence and the week off will be nice for everyone (I don't know, what to do). Following, the bye week, Ohio State travels up to Madison, to take on the Badgers (6-3). The Buckeyes defeated the Badgers a season ago, 33 to 29 in a Homecoming thriller at the Horseshoe. The Badgers in 2010, beat the undefeated Buckeyes in Madison, 31 to 18.
