Ohio State must be disheartened ahead of upcoming Big Ten showdown after shocking Week 4 beat down
From the perspective of the Ohio State Buckeyes, watching the Indiana Hoosiers dismantle the Illinois Fighting Illini 63-10 this past weekend was more than just entertaining—it was revealing. For a Buckeyes team with championship aspirations and a defense that’s rounding into elite form, Indiana’s success through the air against Illinois should be a signal that […]
From the perspective of the Ohio State Buckeyes, watching the Indiana Hoosiers dismantle the Illinois Fighting Illini 63-10 this past weekend was more than just entertaining—it was revealing.
For a Buckeyes team with championship aspirations and a defense that’s rounding into elite form, Indiana’s success through the air against Illinois should be a signal that the Illini pose far less of a threat than preseason hype suggested.
Let’s start with the obvious: Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza had his way with Illinois’ secondary. In limited action, Mendoza went 6-for-8 for 102 yards and a touchdown, carving up the Illini defense with ease. His favorite target, Omar Cooper Jr., hauled in three catches for 59 yards and a score, including a smooth 11-yard touchdown reception that capped a 75-yard drive.
The Hoosiers didn’t just win—they embarrassed Illinois, exposing a defense that was supposed to be one of the Big Ten’s most disciplined units.
Why Ohio State Shouldn’t Sweat Illinois After Indiana’s Dominance
For Ohio State, this is great news. The Buckeyes boast a far more dynamic and explosive passing attack than Indiana. With Julian Sayin establishing himself as a star under center, OSU’s quarterback room is headlined with a talent like Mendoza’s.
And with elite receivers like Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate stretching the field, the Buckeyes are built to exploit exactly the kind of soft coverage and poor tackling that Illinois displayed in Bloomington.
Illinois entered the season with high expectations, largely due to the return of 19 starters and a veteran quarterback in Luke Altmyer. But against Indiana, Altmyer was ineffective, throwing for just 81 yards on 6-of-8 passing and failing to generate any rhythm or explosive plays.
If Indiana’s defense—a solid but not elite unit—could stifle Illinois’ offense so thoroughly, what chance do the Illini have against a Buckeyes defense led by Caleb Downs and coached by NFL veteran Matt Patricia?
The Illini’s offensive line, touted as a strength, looked overwhelmed by Indiana’s front seven. That’s a red flag heading into a matchup with Ohio State’s athletic and aggressive defensive line. If Illinois couldn’t protect Altmyer against Indiana, how will they handle the Buckeyes’ pressure packages?
From a psychological standpoint, this blowout loss also dents Illinois’ confidence. A 53-point defeat in your Big Ten opener is not the kind of momentum you want heading into a clash with the reigning national champions. Meanwhile, Ohio State has every reason to feel confident. The Buckeyes are deeper, faster, and more battle-tested than Indiana—and they just watched the Hoosiers turn Illinois into a highlight reel.
So, should Ohio State be worried about Illinois? Not after what we just saw. If Indiana can torch the Illini through the air and dominate in all three phases, the Buckeyes should view their upcoming matchup as an opportunity to fine-tune their playoff push—not a cause for concern.
