Going into week 7 of the 2025 season, the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes is the team everyone fears. Last week, they crushed Minnesota 42-3. But Saturday’s road trip to play No. 17 Illinois seems like one of those tricky “prove-it” games. This game might reveal if the Buckeyes are prepared to unleash a bit more firepower or continue to grind teams into dust with their patient approach. Of course, Ryan Day’s team has relied on its strong defense and kept things under control with freshman QB Julian Sayin.

You can always tell that it’s a high-stakes game when Gus Johnson is calling the plays. The guy basically describes the game’s pulse, along with calling plays. Johnson’s enthusiasm can turn even a 3-yard gain into a game-winning play, and he has been the voice of some of the craziest moments in college football. Since 2011, he has served as FOX Sports’ top college football commentator, and his voice literally serves as background music for Big Noon Saturday. You get one of the best booths in the sport when paired with analyst Joel Klatt.

Klatt comes up with the confidence and football IQ that only an experienced quarterback can offer. He has established passing records at Colorado and has the ability to break down plays as if he were still analyzing defenses. His ability to make everything seem flawless with no overcomplication, just sharp, clear analysis, is what keeps people interested. That is what sets him apart. Since 2015, he has been Gus’s right-hand man, and the two of them have transformed everyday games into must-watch moments.

And then there’s Jenny Taft, who will be out on the sidelines, sharp and composed as ever. She’s been a member of this trio for years, providing important injury updates, sideline reactions, and the subtle behind-the-scenes details that give the broadcast its edge. She offers the sort of energy and honesty that makes you feel like you’re actually on the field. So this group isn’t just excellent; they are Saturday experts.

Ohio State eyes another statement win in historic Illibuck showdown against Illinois

The No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes are fired up and prepared to keep the fire burning as they enter Week 7. Ryan Day’s team defeated Minnesota 42-3, and now they will play No. 17 Illinois at Gies Memorial Stadium in one of the Big Ten’s most anticipated games this weekend. With the best-scoring defense in the country, the Buckeyes are strong 14.5-point favorites and will try to stop an Illini squad that has been on a high after a thrilling victory over Purdue. Whether Illinois will play with the same intensity against a team that has mastered the art of turning opponents’ slips into touchdowns is the true question.

But this game has more than a century of history, making it more than just another Big Ten showdown. The match also serves as the conference’s second-oldest trophy game, the Battle for the Illibuck. Here, the prize is a wooden turtle instead of a costly cup or axe. In 1924, student groups from both institutions agreed to honor their annual gathering with a trophy that represented longevity, which is how the Illibuck got its start. The original turtle was alive until it evolved into the carved wooden variant that is being used today. For most of the last 20 years, the Buckeyes have held the trophy, dominating the rivalry all the time.

It has been ten years since Ohio State last played at Champaign, and they won 28-3 the last time. Illinois hasn’t beaten the Buckeyes since their surprising 2007 upset of No. 1 Ohio State. Yes, it has been a long time. The 5-1 Illini will attempt to create their own history, while the Buckeyes, who are currently at 5-0, are competing for back-to-back national titles. It’s Illibuck week, and both teams are aware of the stakes, so Saturday’s noon kickoff promises to be more than just another midseason game with tradition and playoff implications all involved.