Pregame: Illinois at Ohio State, Saturday, September 26th, 11:00am CT, FOX
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Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I remember hearing when I was in junior high that Illinois has won "7 of its last 10 in Columbus," and I could NOT believe that was true. However...
2007 - W 28-21 at #1 Ohio State
2005 - L 2-40 at #12 Ohio State
2001 - W 34-22 at #25 Ohio State
1999 - W 46-20 at #25 Ohio State
1997 - L 15-41 at #4 Ohio State
1995 - L 3-41 at #2 Ohio State
1994 - W 24-10 at #17 Ohio State
1992 - W 18-16 at #21 Ohio State
1990 - W 31-20 at #20 Ohio State
1988 - W 31-12 at Ohio State
It's easy to forget since we have now lost 10 straight to OSU and haven't beaten them since the 2007 upset, but we were historically a huge thorn in their side, and I believe we still have the most wins vs. them of any team not named Michigan. In the two decades from 1988 to 2007, the rivalry was 9-9, and several of our losses were incredibly good and close games (3-point loss in 2000, 2OT loss in 2002, had #1 OSU on the ropes in 2006, etc.). Obviously we never rivaled their prestige as a program overall, but it was a genuinely good series. And then since 2007, we really only played them tough once, the aforementioned 2010 loss at home. It would be lovely to even just give them a scare on Saturday!!
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Dude... I was 22 months old when they won in Columbus in '67, and 22 years old when they finally won there again in '88. That was a long a$$ drought.
Apologies for the multiple postings concerning that 1980 game; however, it's important IMO that the young ones (that means you, Fighter!!) realize how important that game was, not only to our program, but to college football.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I grew up pretty much my whole fandom life being jealous of you guys getting to witness the 1980s as Illini fans, so I can only imagine! So thankful that the Whitman Era has restored our athletic department to respectability, because MAN was the Mike Thomas stretch depressing...Dude... I was 22 months old when they won in Columbus in '67, and 22 years old when they finally won there again in '88. That was a long a$$ drought.
Apologies for the multiple postings concerning that 1980 game; however, it's important IMO that the young ones (that means you, Fighter!!) realize how important that game was, not only to our program, but to college football.
Curbelo Fanboy
BERTBALL IS LIFE
He'd fit right in today. RIP
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
When it originated in the 1920s the Buckini was considered much too risque to wear in public.Anyone know why it was named Illibuck instead of Buckini???
I'll see myself out.
The Sprouting Divot
Invisible and Bulletproof
- Miracle Mile
In the 1920s, the word "bikini" was not atoll used in the same way that it's most commonly used today.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
However, it was not thong before its meaning was transformed.
So was Bo. But he was evil enough to project his guilt onto White. It succeeded, White left, and Bo and his team doctor went to commit malfeasance of the highest order. And he got a statue too! #Boknew
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Last time we won at every (pre-West Coast addition) Big Ten stadium.
2025 - Purdue
2024 - Rutgers
2024 - Nebraska
2023 - Minnesota
2023 - Maryland
2022 - Northwestern* (also beat them at Wrigley in 2024)
2022 - Wisconsin
2021 - Penn State
2019 - Michigan State
2011 - Indiana
2008 - Michigan
2007 - Ohio State
1999 - Iowa
The Iowa one really hurts, lol ... but OSU is our second longest drought. Would be so epic if we snapped that streak!
2025 - Purdue
2024 - Rutgers
2024 - Nebraska
2023 - Minnesota
2023 - Maryland
2022 - Northwestern* (also beat them at Wrigley in 2024)
2022 - Wisconsin
2021 - Penn State
2019 - Michigan State
2011 - Indiana
2008 - Michigan
2007 - Ohio State
1999 - Iowa
The Iowa one really hurts, lol ... but OSU is our second longest drought. Would be so epic if we snapped that streak!
Illini4Chief
- TENNESSEE
Headed by coach Ron Zook, the 2011 Illini started 6-0
I think the only real chance we have of competing is Hauck's defensive plan holding up. Back in Montana they call him "Big Game Bobby" and it wasn't because he had a great record in big games.
ptgrd23
- orange county CA
I started going to Illini games as an elementary school kid in the 60's. I remember 1967 Jim Valek 8-32, Bob Blackman 29-36, Gary Moeller 6-24.
We went from 1967 to 1983 sixteen years without beating Ohio State. Until Mike White showed up they were typically 40 point massacres without the Buckeyes even throwing the ball.
J Lehman talked about the glory days 1990-2007 where we beat Buckeyes 6 times.
Well Zook was the last time. so its been 20 years. We are due but it will be a surprise just like the other times. Since the expansion to 2 divisions we dont play them very often 2017 then 2025.
We went from 1967 to 1983 sixteen years without beating Ohio State. Until Mike White showed up they were typically 40 point massacres without the Buckeyes even throwing the ball.
J Lehman talked about the glory days 1990-2007 where we beat Buckeyes 6 times.
Well Zook was the last time. so its been 20 years. We are due but it will be a surprise just like the other times. Since the expansion to 2 divisions we dont play them very often 2017 then 2025.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
LOVE THIS GAME, MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rules enforcement back then looked to me like it was mostly for show or penalizing non-favored programs. And Illinois back then was on eggshells. Seemed like they either didn't have someone at the NCAA to watch their backs, or didn't understand how other programs were skirting rules and getting away with it.
I love this quote from Warren Buffet's partner Charlie Munger, "Show me the incentive and I'll show you the outcome." His point being that people are people, and with rare exceptions, they'll eventually do what's in their own interest even in a bad system.
The NCAA and college football incentivized willful ignorance and paying players under the table, among other things. And the leaders absolutely knew it and adjusted. How many coaches suddenly didn't know what was going on in their programs when news finally broke? Coaches that preached responsibility to their players and the public, now saying they couldn't know about recruitments or awful things their assistants were doing. Only after decades of endless scandals did the rules change to say coaches are responsible for what's going on in their programs.
My hope is that the Buckeyes come into the game overconfident and make enough unforced or sloppy errors that Illinois has a chance. Of course, Illinois will have to play flawless ball for 60 minutes with no turnovers and few penalties. I'll be recording the game on Saturday...just in case history is made!
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