Ohio State Week 4 Preview: Another Great Opportunity For The Defense
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Through three weeks, Ohio State’s defense has been statistically one of the best in the country. There are concerns, of course, but overall, Matt Patricia’s unit looks like it’s getting better each week. At this point, Ohio State has a top-15 unit in just about every category (we will check back in a few weeks regarding rushing defense…there are so many good rushing defenses in the Power 4 when they play Group of 6 and FCS teams). Against Illinois, we should be able to see the steps Patricia took to get the defense off the field after failing to do so down the stretch against Texas.
Ohio State Week 4 Preview: Another Great Opportunity For The Defense
Trench Rotation Under The Microscope
In the wake of the win over Kent State, we questioned the lack of rotation on the defensive line. Looking back, there was plenty of rotation, but the name everyone kept looking for wasn’t out there but for 11 snaps. Khary Wilder has been this year’s “just play the freshman” player. He flashed in both the Ball State and Texas games, but was not featured in the win over Kent State. Evidently, Ryan Day and the defensive staff are pigeonholing Wilder into the Rushmen package in obvious passing situations. While that’s disappointing, there must be something in his rush defense that gives Larry Johnson pause.
However, while Wilder is the go-to “where is he?” guy, Jason Moore is breaking out. While he wasn’t one of the two starters at defensive tackle, Moore logged the most snaps of the group and contributed half of a sack with Will Smith Jr., the only sack in the game.
On the edge, Ohio State still has a handful of players with potential, but nothing on paper just yet. Qua Russaw got the start last week with Zion Grady out with an injury. Opposite him was entrenched starter Kenyatta Jackson Jr. However, the defensive end group failed to record a sack against Kent State and only had two tackles for loss (one for Russaw, one for Epi Sitanilei).
This week should be a better chance for the entire defensive line to get things going. All in all, Illinois has allowed two sacks, both last week against an FCS team, and six tackles for loss (three last week), but it hasn’t faced a front like Ohio State’s.
Four Worth Starting
The Ohio State linebackers are interesting. As the fanbase loves to do, it continues to clamor for the next guys up as opposed to the two starters. Christian Alliegro and Payton Pierce made their third consecutive starts, but were outsnapped by both Riley Pettijohn and TJ Alford.
Pettijohn has been the most productive of the group, adding 12 tackles to his total of two tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception. He’s shown how explosive he is coming downhill to defend both the run and the pass, leading plenty to believe he should be one of the starters. The same could be said about Alford.
Regardless, this should be a good opportunity for the Ohio State linebackers to show out. It will be a great chance for them to make those game-breaking plays as Illinois runs 55.5 plays per game, good for the fifth-fewest at the FBS level.
Continue Impressive Back-End Play
Through three games, the Ohio State secondary has allowed just one passing touchdown. As it stands, only Arch Manning was able to find the end zone. Considering how hot his Heisman Trophy campaign is, holding him to just one touchdown – which came during that wicked fourth-quarter comeback – is still impressive. Last year, the Buckeyes had allowed two passing touchdowns (one to Manning, one to Ohio), en route to allowing a total of seven.
Last week, Kent State was held to 93 yards through the air despite being behind from the jump.
Jay Timmons continues to be a star in the making. The true freshman defensive back leads the team with three pass breakups, along with one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He has been well worth the hype from the start of the first game and is only getting better. Against Illinois, Timmons should have a good opportunity as Devin Sanchez will be matched up with Collin Dixon, the nation’s leader in receiving touchdowns.
Sanchez has been great as well, despite the lack of interceptions. Oddly enough, only Jaylen McClain has an interception as a member of the secondary…and it was a minor miracle.
To this point, Illinois has averaged about 27 passing attempts per game, completing about 73%. Just like with the linebackers, the secondary will not have as many opportunities to make plays, so it’ll have to make each one count.
The Task At Hand
The aforementioned Dixon has been a revelation for the Fighting Illini. He leads the team with 367 yards while leading all FBS players with seven touchdowns. Considering he came into 2026 with just five touchdowns to his name, he’s exceeded expectations already. He already broke the single-season receiving touchdowns mark at Gies Memorial Stadium, and with four more, he’ll own Illinois’ single-season record. Keep an eye on number 17.
Meanwhile, his quarterback faced the Buckeyes once, all the way back in 2023 as a member of the Michigan State program. On that day, in a 38-3 Ohio State victory, Katin Houser went 12-of-24 passing for 92 yards, but at least he didn’t turn the ball over! Needless to say, the fifth-year quarterback is a bit better than he was three years ago.
As for the ground game, there are two names to keep in mind: Ca’Lil Valentine and Aidan Laughery. Valentine leads the way with 177 yards and one score on 38 carries, while Laughery has contributed 159 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries. Against UAB and Southern Illinois, the rushing attack was fine. Against Duke, not so much.
Bottom Line On Ohio State vs. Illinois
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
History: Ohio State 69-30-4 Illinois (2010 win vacated)
Last Matchup: Ohio State won, 34-16, in 2025
Last Illinois Win: 28-21 in 2007
Date and Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: FOX
Spread: Ohio State -27.5; O/U 54.5 (via FanDuel)
Prediction: Kicking off the Big Ten slate with a bang has to be on the minds of Ryan Day and the Buckeyes. A four-touchdown spread is impressive, but Ohio State is 3-0 ATS at this point (barely). Vegas knows what the Buckeyes are. Let’s go with Ohio State winning this one and retaining the famed Illibuck, 45-10.
More Ohio State News
- Ohio State Week 4 Preview: Offense Keys In On Short-Yardage Issues
- Questions Remain After Ohio State Thrashes Kent State
- 2026 Bowl Projections After Week Three
- The 2026 Big Ten College Football Playoff Picture: Week 4
- College Football Sunday Summary: Taking a Knee and Watching Our Tone
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