Ohio State secured another victory against a ranked opponent on Saturday, defeating then-No. 17 Illinois 34-16 on the road. The win extended the Buckeyes’ streak to six games, though it came without their sharpest offensive performance and marked the first time this season their defense surrendered red zone touchdowns.
While winning by multiple possessions on an off day highlights the team’s high ceiling, the performance fell short of the standard of perfection set by head coach Ryan Day. Ahead of a trip to Wisconsin, the game raised questions about the team’s offensive consistency and reinforced the elite status of its defense.
### Can Ohio State’s Rushing Attack Be Fixed?
Ohio State’s run game has been merely average this season, ranking in the middle of the Big Ten with 160 yards per game and 4.73 yards per carry—the second-lowest average of the Day era. Against an Illinois defense that had previously allowed six yards per carry to Purdue, the Buckeyes managed just 2.86, their second-worst mark of the year. Advanced metrics from TruMedia paint a similar picture, with Ohio State ranking 77th nationally in yards before contact (1.75) and 73rd in yards after contact (3.13).
Despite these struggles, a closer look suggests the issues are correctable. The offensive line, particularly the left side, has been a source of strength. Left guard Luke Montgomery has been the team’s most consistent lineman, forming a solid duo with Austin Siereveld. The right side remains a work in progress, where Tegra Tshabola’s starting role at right guard could be challenged by Josh Padilla, who saw 13 snaps on Saturday.
The primary issues appear to stem not from the offensive line or the running backs, but from a combination of inconsistent play-calling and missed blocking assignments. The loss of the explosive Bo Jackson to an ankle injury was a setback, but running backs CJ Donaldson and James Peoples generally hit the correct holes.
Mistakes in execution were more glaring. On one creative reverse, a missed block by tight end Will Kacmarek and two pulling linemen engaging the same defender allowed Illinois a free shot at Jackson, thwarting a potential big gain. Such lapses in targeting by tight ends and pulling linemen occurred throughout the game.
Play-calling also became predictable. After a successful first quarter that saw the Buckeyes gain 59 rushing yards by keeping the Illini defense off-balance, the offense grew more conventional. Illinois began anticipating runs, particularly out of the pistol formation. According to TruMedia, after facing eight-man boxes on 33 percent of runs in the first quarter, that number jumped to 64 percent for the rest of the game.
This weekend’s matchup against Wisconsin’s formidable run defense will be a critical test. To succeed, Ohio State must leverage its dangerous passing attack to open up running lanes and improve its blocking execution to turn potential gains into explosive plays.
### How Great Can This Defense Be?
Ohio State possesses arguably the best defense in the country, a unit that is now being compared to some of the top defenses of the College Football Playoff era.
Even while allowing season-highs in points (16) and yards (295) against Illinois, the defense delivered an impressive performance. The Buckeyes forced three turnovers, limited the Illini’s explosive passing game to a long of 20 yards, and held an opponent scoreless in the first half for the sixth consecutive game. They have allowed a total of just 12 first-half points all season. Their dominance on third down continues, holding Illinois to a 28 percent conversion rate and ranking second in the FBS for the season at 21.8 percent.
The conversation has shifted from comparing this unit to last year’s; it is now about its place among historic defenses like the 2021 Georgia Bulldogs. Through six games, Ohio State has allowed just 41 total points, the fewest in the FBS and the sixth-fewest by any team at this point in a season since 2014.
That 2021 Georgia team, which allowed only 10 points per game, serves as a benchmark. The Buckeyes are on a similar trajectory, having surrendered just four touchdowns in six games while giving up only 229 yards per contest. With tougher opponents ahead, including a likely Big Ten Championship appearance and the expanded playoff, Matt Patricia’s defense has the potential to reach that elite level if it can maintain its health and intensity.
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