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Photo Essay: A Look Back at Ohio State-Illinois, Buckeye Nation’s Traveling Circus

Published

5 months ago

October 13, 2025

Photo Essay: A Look Back at Ohio State-Illinois, Buckeye Nation’s Traveling Circus

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Buckeye Nation is known to travel, so it was no surprise that on Saturday in Champaign, “O-H” and “I-O” were heard almost as much as “I-L-L” and “I-N-I.” The national champions were in town for the first time since Nov. 14, 2015. FOX Sports’ “Big Noon Kickoff” was in town for the second time in three weeks.

That meant Brutus Buckeye and Bret Bielema were up early, preparing for a matchup between 5-0 Ohio State, looking to become the first Big Ten team to win back-to-back national titles since before World War II, and 5-1 Illinois, looking to burnish its College Football Playoff chances.

In the end, the Buckeyes won their 10th straight game over the Fighting Illini, though Illinois did become the first team this season to score double-digit points against OSU’s vaunted defense. Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith led the way to a 34-16 Buckeyes victory.

But that was just part of the story. On and off the field, the cast of characters made it a day to remember. Let’s take a look back in photos.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

Saturday morning starts early at the Champaign Holiday Inn for Ohio State alum Jay McKay and his wife, Chris, who attend every Buckeyes game, home and away. Sitting at the other end of the counter, Illini fans Phil Butler and Tammie McCormick are hoping for “close, competitive game” against the nation’s No. 1 team.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

As the sun rises less than a mile away, the scarlet and gray flags are already flying in the Memorial Stadium parking lots. Tailgating knows no time limits.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

Pair a little girl with a Big Wheel and dad is just trying to keep up. Their Fighting Illini will know the feeling a little later.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

As Illinois head coach Bret Bielemi gets off the team bus, his daughters Briella and Brexli are waiting with hugs for dad.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

The Buckeyes get their first standing ovation of the day as they arrive at Memorial Stadium.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

In the crowd to cheer the team’s arrival is Jeff Griffith, who retired in August as an IT manager for Kroger just in time to follow the Buckeyes throughout the 2025 season.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

One of the first off the bus is former Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia, whose Buckeyes defense is being called one of the best in Big Ten history. Ohio State entered Saturday allowing just 5 points per game and having held two straight opponents without a touchdown.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

In his pregame walk-and-talk with FOX Sports game analyst Joel Klatt, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day explains that confidence is the key for OSU’s defense as well as first-year quarterback Julian Sayin. “His confidence is building every day,” Day says. “I think he has a better command of the offense, and the guys around him believe in him.”

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

As a two-touchdown underdog, the Illini need some juice. So they bring in former quarterback Juice Williams, who in 2007 threw four touchdown passes to lead Illinois to an epic 28–21 upset over No. 1 Ohio State. Williams joins the “Big Noon Kickoff” crew to crank the air raid siren, which has become an Illini tradition.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

All geared up for game time, Buckeyes superfan Jon Peters, better known as the “Big Nut,” greets fellow OSU faithful while waiting for the gates to open.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

Buckeyes long snapper John Ferlmann prepares to take the field at Memorial Stadium, where his grandfather, Miles Stout, once played for Illinois. In 1956, when Stout was the starting QB, Illinois lost to No. 5 Ohio State 26-6 on this same field. On the opening kickoff, Illini linebacker Ray Nitschke lost his four front teeth when he took an Ohio State helmet to the mouth. Such is the origin of Nitschke’s legendary toothless grin.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

FOX Sports college football analyst RJ Young calls Julian Sayin “the quarterback Arch Manning was expected to be.” Sayin’s Heisman odds jump after he completes 19-of-27 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns against Illinois.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

OSU star Jeremiah Smith is held to a season-low 42 yards receiving, but he does score a touchdown for the fifth straight game.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

On the OSU sideline, Brutus wants to make sure he captures all the action, so he takes matters into his own hands. He just might have an eye for this.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports) ( )

No matter where they are or who they’re playing, Buckeye Nation’s messaging remains remarkably consistent.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

Running back Bo Jackson finds the end zone on a 17-yard pass from Julian Sayin late in the first half, extending OSU’s lead to 20-0.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

While leaving the field at halftime, Bret Bielema stops to chat with the officials. The Illinois coach is not happy with the lack of pass interference calls against OSU defensive backs, whom he would describe as “pretty handsy” after the game.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

Here’s photographic evidence that Ohio State does occasionally give up a touchdown. Illinois running back Aidan Laughery caps a 12-play, 75-yard drive to open the second half with a one-yard TD run, cutting OSU’s lead to 20-10. It’s the first rushing touchdown surrendered by the Ohio State defense all season.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

It’s Ryan Day’s turn to beef with the refs. He’s either objecting to Illinois slow-playing its substitutions or maybe he’s just not happy that his defense allowed a touchdown.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

The Illini would commit three costly turnovers, including QB Luke Altmyer’s first interception of the season and this fumble late in the third quarter on a strip sack by cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. All three Illinois turnovers would lead to Ohio State touchdowns.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

With the Big Nut looking on from the front row of a packed Ohio State section, the biggest Buckeye nut mugs for the FOX camera. The camera loves Brutus; Brutus loves the camera.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

Jeremiah Smith talks with FOX’s Jenny Taft postgame while holding the Illibuck trophy, a wooden turtle whose shell is engraved with the scores of Illinois-Ohio State games. The turtle tradition dates back more than a century.

(Photo by Ed McGregor/FOX Sports)

Before getting on the team bus, OSU long snapper John Ferlmann (center) visits with family, including his parents, Sally and Steve. Three generations turned out to watch John play on the same field as his late grandfather. “Leading up to the game, I forced myself to focus on the task at hand,” he said. “Afterwards, I realized just how thrilling it was to be there. I got to share this moment with my family and reminisce about what an impact my grandfather had upon me and our family. I did my best to honor him by playing the best that I could. I hope I made him proud.”

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Purdue vs. Ohio State Prediction, How to Watch, Odds, Channel – Mar 1

Published

6 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Purdue vs. Ohio State Prediction, How to Watch, Odds, Channel – Mar 1

Data Skrive

The No. 8 Purdue Boilermakers (22-6, 12-5 Big Ten) will try to continue a three-game road winning streak when they take on the Ohio State Buckeyes (17-11, 9-8 Big Ten) on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at Value City Arena. The matchup airs at 1:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

The Boilermakers are a 5.5-point favorite against the Buckeyes when the Boilermakers and the Buckeyes meet. The game’s over/under is set at 150.5.

Continue scrolling to get all the information before betting on the Purdue-Ohio State clash.

Purdue vs. Ohio State How to Watch & Odds

When: Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET
Where: Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio
TV: CBS
Live Box Score: FOX Sports

Boilermakers vs Buckeyes Betting Information
Favorite	Spread	Favorite Spread Odds	Underdog Spread Odds	Total	Over Total Odds	Under Total Odds	Favorite Moneyline	Underdog Moneyline
Boilermakers	-5.5	-114	-106	150.5	-110	-113	-277	+220

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Purdue vs. Ohio State Prediction

Pick ATS: Purdue (-5.5)
Pick OU: Over (150.5)
Prediction: Purdue 79, Ohio State 73

Learn more about the Purdue Boilermakers vs. the Ohio State Buckeyes game on FOX Sports!

Purdue vs. Ohio State Betting Insights

Betting Line Implied Predictions

Based on the spread and over/under, the implied score for the encounter is Boilermakers 78, Buckeyes 72.
The Boilermakers have a 73.5% chance to claim victory in this meeting based on the moneyline’s implied probability.
The Buckeyes sit with a 31.2% implied probability to win.

Key Spread Facts

Purdue has covered 13 times in 28 games with a spread this season.
Ohio State has won 13 games against the spread this season, while failing to cover 15 times.
When playing as at least 5.5-point favorites this season, Purdue has an ATS record of 9-12.
When playing as at least 5.5-point underdogs this season, Ohio State has an ATS record of 3-2.

Key Total Facts

In 15 games this season, the Boilermakers and their opponent have combined to score more than 150.5 points.
There have been 15 Buckeyes games this season with more than 150.5 points scored.
The Boilermakers and Buckeyes combine to average 162.1 points per contest, which is 11.6 more than the total for this game.

Key Moneyline Facts

Purdue has been the moneyline favorite 24 times this season. They’ve gone 19-5 in those games.
Ohio State has won two, or 18.2%, of the 11 games it has played as underdogs this season.
When it has played as a moneyline favorite with odds of -277 or shorter, Purdue has a record of 16-1 (94.1% win percentage).
Ohio State has not won as an underdog of +220 or more on the moneyline this season in four games with those odds or longer.

Purdue vs. Ohio State: Recent Results

Boilermakers vs Buckeyes Recent Games
Date	Favorite	Spread	Total	Favorite Moneyline	Underdog Moneyline	Result
1/21/2025	Boilermakers	-9.5	140.5	-549	+403	73-70 OHIOST

Purdue vs. Ohio State: 2025-26 Stats Comparison

	Purdue	Ohio State
Points Scored Per Game (Rank)	82.6 (48)	79.5 (100)
Points Allowed (Rank)	69.5 (66)	73.1 (159)
Rebounds (Rank)	10 (102)	7.7 (311)
3pt Made (Rank)	9.4 (66)	7.8 (175)
Assists (Rank)	19.8 (3)	14.1 (159)
Turnovers (Rank)	8.8 (11)	9.9 (64)

Purdue 2025-26 Key Players

Ohio State 2025-26 Key Players

FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Where does Ohio State basketball rank in latest March Madness bracketology?

Published

18 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Where does Ohio State basketball rank in latest March Madness bracketology?

The Ohio State men’s basketball team will host No. 8 Purdue on March 1 while fighting to keep its NCAA Tournament hopes intact.

The Buckeyes have three games left in Big Ten regular-season play and are 17-11 overall and 9-8 in the league. On Feb. 25, they lost 74-57 at Iowa, marking their second consecutive defeat and their first losing streak of the season. Afterward, the Buckeyes struggled to explain why they came apart when the Hawkeyes went on their first run of the game.

The Boilermakers 22-6 overall, 12-5 in the Big Ten and fresh off a 76-74 home loss to No. 13 Michigan State on Feb. 26.

As of Feb. 26, the Buckeyes were ranked No. 38 in the NET rankings used by the NCAA Tournament selection committee. They are also No. 46 in Wins Above Bubble, another category being utilized by the committee.

Purdue is No. 7 in the NET, making this a Quad 1 game for the Buckeyes. Ohio State is 1-10 in Quad 1.

Here is where Ohio State sits in the major NCAA Tournament projections as it prepares to host the Boilermakers at the Jerome Schottenstein Center:

Ohio State basketball standing in latest bracketology

In a bracket update published Feb. 18, USA Today projects the Buckeyes to make the NCAA Tournament and play in the First Four in Dayton. Ohio State is included as a No. 11 seed, facing fellow No. 11 seed Missouri. The winner of that game would head to Portland to face No. 6 seed Louisville.

Two weeks ago, Ohio State was a No. 10 seed and projected to avoid the First Four in Dayton. Now the Buckeyes are projected second on the list of the final four teams to make the tournament.

Ten Big Ten teams are included in the field, the second-most for any conference after the SEC (11).

In a Feb. 24 update, one day before the Buckeyes lost at Iowa, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi had Ohio State as the first team not to make the tournament. After the loss, he dropped them to the third team in the first four out.

ESPN’s Bubble Watch noted that the loss now has Ohio State’s odds of making the tournament at about 50%.

CBS has the Buckeyes fourth on its list of the first four out.

The website BracketMatrix.com, which aggregates 118 different bracket projections, has Ohio State as a potential No. 11 seed. The Buckeyes appear in 41 brackets, many of which had not been updated after the Iowa game.

Analytics site BartTorvik.com projects Ohio State as a No. 10 seed and gives the Buckeyes a 52.1% chance to make the tournament as of Feb. 27.

Ohio State men’s basketball beat writer Adam Jardy can be reached at ajardy@dispatch.com, on Bluesky at @cdadamjardy.bsky.social or on Twitter at @AdamJardy.

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Ohio State stud Carnell Tate might be the ideal ‘game-changer’ that Giants need

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Ohio State stud Carnell Tate might be the ideal ‘game-changer’ that Giants need

INDIANAPOLIS — There are so many questions an NFL team can pose to a top prospect and so many of them have to do with how he will handle the step up to the next level.

And how will he deal with waiting his turn?

These questions do not really apply to Carnell Tate.

Not after the gauntlet he had to pass through in college, trying to find his way and making incremental rises on a depth chart overflowing with talent at his position.

“The competition there, we’re all pushing to be the best receiver on the field that day and that practice,’’ Tate said Friday morning at the NFL Scouting Combine, “and typically, when you’re the best receiver at Ohio State, you’re the best receiver in the country.’’

True, that.

Tate figures to be in play for the Giants with the No. 5 pick in the NFL Draft.

He is widely considered the top receiver in this class — there are certainly Jordyn Tyson supporters out there — and where the Giants prioritize aiding their offense with bolstering their defense will go a long way in determining if they select a wide receiver with their top pick for the second time in three years.

Where they are situated, one or both Ohio State studs, safety Caleb Downs or linebacker Sonny Styles, should be on the board — another Ohio State defender, edge rusher Arvell Reese, could go to the Jets at No. 2.

The Giants unquestionably need another prime target for Jaxson Dart but, when healthy, they already have a No. 1 receiver in Malik Nabers, who was the No. 6 overall pick in 2024.

Investing so much draft equity in another one might not be the most balanced way to build the team in John Harbaugh’s first year as the head coach.

Or, it might be just the ticket to launch the offense.

“You’re always going to want to add more explosiveness to your offense, guys that score touchdowns, wherever that comes from: running back, receiver, tight ends, whatever it may be,’’ general manager Joe Schoen said. “That will be something we’ll look for.’’

There should not be much, or any, concern that Tate will not be a supportive and obliging running mate for Nabers, who made it into only four games last season before a devastating knee injury — he tore his right ACL and meniscus — left Dart without his only lethal weapon.

Tate is not one of those youngsters accustomed to being the top guy during his college experience.

Tate arrived as a five-star recruit in 2023 but how the heck was he supposed to break into the starting lineup with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka — both future first round picks — ahead of him?

In 2024, Tate was overshadowed by freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith.

Tate had to wait for his opportunities and while he did, he concentrated on becoming a better all-around player, developing his ability as a blocker on the perimeter.

In three seasons, Tate totaled 121 receptions for 1,872 yards.

He notched nine of his 14 touchdowns during the 2025 season.

Tate is often likened to Chris Olave, another former Buckeyes wideout.

Olave was a 2022 first-round pick of the Saints and has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in three of his four NFL seasons.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seahawks) and Garrett Wilson (Jets) are also former Ohio State receivers tearing it up in the NFL.

“It means a lot to me and it’s also a lot on your shoulders,’’ Tate said of the legacy. “Now you got to be the next one to come out there and put on for the school and carry the Receiver U.’’

Tate lining up on one side and Nabers — who is expected to be fully recovered in the spring or by training camp — lining up on the other side would be quite a combination for Dart.

“It would be great,’’ said Tate, who this week had a formal meeting with the Giants. “It would be a great opportunity, especially playing in New York. Big showcase. I’d love to go out there and play in New York.’’

Wan’Dale Robinson, mostly a slot receiver, is an impending free agent.

If he does not return, it would drain the passing game of the 92 receptions for 1,014 yards he contributed in 2025.

Veteran Darius Slayton is coming off a poor seventh year with the Giants.

At 6-foot-3, Tate has ideal height and he is lean at 195 pounds.

He will run the 40-yard dash in Indy but otherwise wait for his Pro Day to work out for NFL executives, coaches and scouts.

Without sounding boastful, Tate does not lack confidence.

“I think my game brings it all to the table,’’ he said. “I got the contested catch, I got the route-running and I also bring it in the run game, a lot of receivers don’t do that. I’m able to impact the game with or without the ball in my hands.

“If you want a game-changer, you got one right here.’’

The best wide receiver in this draft class?

“Me, no question,’’ Tate said.

“Whatever you need to do, I got it.’’

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