MY PREDICTION

#6 OHIO STATE 42       ILLINOIS 10

Nothing like traveling to Columbus when you're in the middle of a five game losing streak. Illinois needs to win out if they want to make a bowl game. That means that have to pull off a massive upset. They've done it before. I'm sure most of you remember where you were back on that November day in 2007. I was at Boston's with a few friends to watch the game, enjoying one of my favorite pizzas of all time, the Ultimate Pepperoni. I'm still upset that place closed because I miss the heck out of that pizza. I remember going nuts when Juice Williams was able to run out the clock in the fourth quarter to give Illinois the 28-21 win. That was a great day. However, I don't see that happening again here.

Ohio State has played well under new coach Urban Meyer. I didn't think they would be 8-0 and ranked 6th in the AP Poll. A lot of their success is because of the unbelievable play by QB Braxton Miller. He has tallied 24 touchdowns, 12 each passing and running, and has over 2,500 yards of total offense, with more than 1,000 of those rushing. As a sophomore, he has emerged into the Heisman talks. With 198 pass attempts and 166 rush attempts, there's no doubt that stopping him should be the focal point. However, I feel like knowing what to do won't matter and Ohio State will have no problem and put up points at the same rate Michigan did.

Offensively, Illinois won't be able to keep up, but they might be able to score some points. Ohio State has allowed at least 22 points in each of their last four games, including the 49 they allowed to Indiana. It will have to be a mistake free game for Sheelhaase and company, but that has been difficult for this team to do.

Illinois' only hope is for the Buckeyes to focus on their final two games as they close out the season with Wisconsin and Michigan. Compared to those two, Illinois can be forgotten about. If that's the case, Illinois could sucker punch OSU and come away with one of the biggest upsets of the season. Like I said though, Illionis will have to play mistake free, and I just don't feel like this team can do that. Look for the Buckeyes to become the nations first 10 win team.

What do you guys think? Do the Illini come out of nowhere and pull off the upset, or does Illinois eliminate themselves from bowl contention? Let me know with your thoughts and predictions below.

Also, I have one pair of men's basketball tickets confirmed as a prize. Those will go to whoever wins the prediction standings this year. A number of you are still in the running so keep predicting! I'm trying to figure out if I have a second pair, but as of now I think I just have one. I will hopefully have more details on which game those tickets are for in the near future. Talk to you guys after the Saturday.

I-L-L...

Brutus gets an early start on his calisthenics ahead of Saturday's game against Illinois.  He is planning on doing a lot of pushups.  Let's hope the Illini defense has different ideas.