COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — From the outside, it looks like a rout.
No. 6 Ohio State is 10-0, can clinch a share of its Big Ten division title and keep alive any flickering hopes of being the last unbeaten standing when the final poll votes are cast.
Illinois (2-6) has lost its last five games, and in conference play is 0-4 this year with a 10-game losing skid. With problems on both sides of the ball, the Illini are four-touchdown underdogs.
For both coaches, the opponent isn’t as important as how his team plays.
The Buckeyes’ Urban Meyer doesn’t want any letup as his team cruises into its bye week before two last, pivotal games to end the season.
Illinois’ Tim Beckman, a former Meyer assistant, is seeking a sign of hope.
