3 reasons Ohio State would’ve crushed Illinois before COVID cancellation

The Ohio State Buckeyes are cancelled this weekend due to COVID-19 concerns. Here’s what would’ve happened if they had played Illionis

The Ohio State Buckeyes have not matched up with the Fighting Illini since 2017, and they’ll have to wait longer to square off, after the game was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.

There was not much fight in the Illini during that match up three years ago, as the Buckeyes fought and won that game by nearly 40 points in Ohio Stadium. That result has been the story for the Illini in recent years as they have not had a winning record since 2011. A once proud program that competed closely with the Buckeyes in the early 2000s and defeated the Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in 2007, the Illini have lost their luster.

The Buckeyes were entering this match up with four consecutive victories to start the season with the most recent coming last weekend in a battle with Indiana.  This match up was a bit close for comfort as the Buckeyes won by a mere seven points while stumbling across the finish line. The clumsy showing last weekend is not a first time thing.

It has become commonplace for the Buckeyes to display some weaknesses one way or another each outing. Typically, it is the defense that is to blame for some inconsequential mistakes throughout the game but this time it was the offense that nearly made them pay the price. A gross amount of turnovers nearly spelled disaster for the Buckeyes as the rest of the game was spent picking up the pieces.

The Illini are on a little streak of their own as they have won two consecutive games with both being on the road including last weekend’s convincing victory over Nebraska.

Perhaps the Illini had something brewing heading into this contest. Needless to say, the Buckeyes would’ve cruised to victory, and here’s why.