On this week’s Off-Script Ohio brought to you by Land-Grant Holy Land, Cole VanWiechen and Joey Gertz broke down Ohio State’s 34–16 road win over No. 17 Illinois, a gritty performance that proved the Buckeyes can win even when the offense isn’t lighting up the scoreboard.

Ohio State didn’t need to be perfect, the defense and special teams set the tone. The Buckeyes forced three turnovers, and Illinois’ average starting field position hovered dangerously close to their own 5-yard line. The offense worked efficiently enough, Sayin threw for a pair of touchdowns, Bo Jackson led the backfield with 47 rushing yards and added a receiving score, while Tate, JJ and Klare each made contributions, though the attack wasn’t as explosive as against Minnesota.

Still, what stood out was how OSU’s defense dominated the chess match between Matt Patricia and Illinois’ experienced QB Luke Altmeyer. Altmeyer threw his first interception of the year, was sacked four times, including a strip sack that flipped momentum. Ohio State’s pressure disrupted Illinois’ rhythm all night, forcing quick throws and limiting their ability to find space downfield. That aggressive posture paid dividends for the Buckeyes.

Across college football, the chaos kept coming. USC dismantled Michigan 31–13 behind a suffocating defensive effort, while Indiana stunned No. 3 Oregon 30–20 in Eugene, a result that could reshape the playoff picture. And in the latest twist of a collapsing season, Penn State fell 42–37 to UCLA, dropping its third straight and raising serious questions about the program’s direction.

Next up, Ohio State heads to Madison for a clash with Wisconsin. The Badgers have sputtered offensively all season, ranking near the bottom of the Big Ten in both scoring and total yardage. For the Buckeyes, it’s a chance to stay sharp, get healthier in the backfield, and keep the defensive dominance rolling.

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