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Illinois Football: How the Big Ten will shake out for the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 21: The Big Ten logo on a yardage marker at the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 21: The Big Ten logo on a yardage marker at the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – JULY 24: Ohio State Football head coach Urban Meyer speaks to the media during the Big Ten Football Media Days event on July 24, 2018 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JULY 24: Ohio State Football head coach Urban Meyer speaks to the media during the Big Ten Football Media Days event on July 24, 2018 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Ohio State Buckeyes 11-1

Another powerhouse in the Big Ten this season is going to be the usual face in Ohio State. This program has all the talent in the world, but the off-field issues might end up catching up to them.

The investigation into the failure to do something about an alleged domestic abuser on their coaching staff came out with a verdict of a three-game suspension for head coach Urban Meyer. Ohio State will sadly take this as a chip on their shoulder and try to prove the doubters wrong.

Ohio State will easily start their season off hot. TCU is the third game of the season and I have them winning this contest. I believe Meyer’s absence from the first three games won’t have a negative impact on this team. I see Ohio State coming out with so much fire. TCU won’t have a chance.

So, I have the Buckeyes starting the season 4-0 heading into the Penn State game. The Nittany Lions will be tough, but I see Ohio State coming away with a win here. After the Penn State win, the season doesn’t get tough again until Michigan State the third-to-last game of the season.

I see Ohio State coming away with a win against Michigan State purely based on the amount of talent that is in Columbus. The Buckeyes then win against Maryland to head into the Michigan game undefeated. I then have Ohio State losing this game. Michigan will beat an undefeated No. 1 Ohio State team to give Harbaugh a massive victory.

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