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Carlos Hyde rushed for 246 yards and 4 touchdowns. The #3 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 60-35. (November 15, 2013 - Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)
Carlos Hyde rushed for 246 yards and 4 touchdowns. The #3 Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 60-35. (November 15, 2013 – Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)

The #3 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-0, 6-0) looked to have an easy game. They were on the road facing a vastly inferior opponent and looked to take them down early. The Illinois Fighting Illinois (3-7, 0-6) won only 3 games this year and were looking for their first conference win.

Early on Ohio State looked like a true #3 team. They were looking for their second consecutive shutout as they once had a 35-0 lead. All indications pointed to a cake walk win. Ohio State was supposed to walk out of this without a scratch. However, Illinois showed real determination, scoring touchdowns at will. Illinois actually looked to have a small chance to upset Ohio State but it is hardly worth mentioning.

The Buckeyes defense played subpar for the most part. They gave up 35 points. The defense made amends by scoring touchdown via an interception by Bradley Roby in 21 in the third quarter. The safety was a huge momentum shift as the Buckeyes needed the score to have a comfortable margin.

Carlos Hyde- Rare feat accomplished

Carlos Hyde was the star of the show again, rushing for 246 yards and 4 touchdowns. This is a rare accomplishment for any running back and he made it look easy.

Braxton Miller virtually unproductive through the air

Buckeyes Quarterback Braxton Miller passed for a dismal 150 yards. However, he rushed for 184 yards. His most impressive play of the day was a 70 yard touchdown run for the first score. Miller passed for two touchdowns as well.

Illinois defense humbled

The Ohio State offense scored at will throughout the whole game. The defense bent and broke at times but the offense attacked with fury. Illinois could not stop it. Just like so many teams before them, they gave up a plethora of points. The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 60-35.

Nathan Scheelhaase shines in loss

Illinois Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase torched the Buckeyes defense, passing for 288 yards and two touchdowns.

Nation’s longest winning streak

The Ohio State Buckeyes continue to their conquest. They now have 22 straight victories which is the longest active winning streak of any team. That is likely to continue as they face the 4-6 Indiana Hoosiers in Columbus, Ohio.

Does Ohio State deserve to be #3?

A lot of people can make a strong case for the Baylor Bears being #3. Baylor routed Oklahoma and Texas Tech which is convincing evidence of their overall team strength.

However, Ohio State faced similar competition, defeating Wisconsin and Iowa. Northwestern was dangerous when Ohio State traveled to Evanston, Illinois to top them 40-30 but they have cooled down since.

Ohio State deserves to be #3 but not by much.

 

 

 

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