Ohio State Buckeyes Prove They're Unstoppable Yet Again, Dismantling Illinois in a Show of Resilience and Power—But Is This the End of an Era for College Football Dominance?
Imagine a powerhouse football program losing 14 players to the NFL draft, setting a school record for such departures. You might expect a rocky rebuild, with gaps that could hobble the team for seasons. But here's where it gets controversial... Ohio State isn't just surviving; they're thriving, raising eyebrows about whether sheer talent depth and coaching genius can defy the odds of so-called 'rebuilding years.' As a college football enthusiast, I've seen programs struggle after big losses, but the Buckeyes' story is flipping the script mid-season. Let's dive into how they dominated Illinois and what it means for the rest of the college football landscape.
Adam Rittenberg
October 11, 2025, 05:53 PM ET
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College football reporter; joined ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Ohio State Buckeyes (https://www.espn.com/college-football/game//gameId/401752865/ohio-state-illinois), fresh off their national championship glory, sent a whopping 14 players to the NFL draft this year—matching their all-time record for departures. This massive exodus naturally sparked debates about who could possibly step up to fill those huge shoes. For beginners in college football, think of it like a sports team losing its star players; you'd assume it takes time to regroup, with younger or less experienced athletes needing to grow into roles. But at Ohio State, those 'rebuilding' phases seem like myths. Instead, the Buckeyes were always projected to adapt and strengthen gradually. Midway through the regular season, they've already hit their stride, showcasing a squad that appears primed to hold onto their championship title. The top-ranked Buckeyes stayed perfect at 6-0 with a commanding 34-16 victory (https://www.espn.com/college-football/game//gameId/401752865/ohio-state-illinois) over the No. 17 Illinois Fighting Illini (https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/356/illinois-fighting-illini) on Saturday, thanks in large part to a revamped defense that's proving its mettle despite letting in the highest points of the season so far.
"The players we weren't sure about at the start of the year have really shown they deserve to be here," explained head coach Ryan Day. "They're tough, they thrive in high-pressure situations, and they're all about achieving greatness—they always expect to win, no matter what."
He added, "Even though I've been pushing them to mature and step up, what we're seeing now is a truly seasoned team."
While the Buckeyes still boast key veterans from their title-winning squad, such as safety Caleb Downs (https://www.espn.com/college-football/player//id/4870706/caleb-downs), linebacker Sonny Styles (https://www.espn.com/college-football/player//id/5081807/sonny-styles), and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (https://www.espn.com/college-football/player//id/5079712/jeremiah-smith)—who snagged five catches and a score on Saturday—the real fuel for this win came from newcomers. Standouts included cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (https://www.espn.com/college-football/player//id/5150710/jermaine-mathews-jr) and defensive lineman Kayden McDonald (https://www.espn.com/college-football/player//id/4870893/kayden-mcdonald), whose three forced turnovers directly contributed to 21 points for Ohio State. Up-and-coming defenders like linebacker Arvell Reese (https://www.espn.com/college-football/player//id/4950400/arvell-reese) and end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/5081821/kenyatta-jackson-jr) chipped in with two sacks and three tackles for loss, adding to the defensive onslaught.
McDonald, who spent his first two years mostly on the sidelines, made a game-changing strip from Illinois' Ca'Lil Valentine (https://www.espn.com/college-football/player//id/5106299/calil-valentine) in the late first half, paving the way for a touchdown from emerging talents: quarterback Julian Sayin (https://www.espn.com/college-football/player//id/5079712/julian-sayin) and running back Bo Jackson (https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/5141517/bo-jackson).
"We've proven we can compete," McDonald shared. "It doesn't matter if veterans head to the NFL or older players move on; the rest of us have to rise to the challenge. And that's exactly what happened today."
Mathews, on the other hand, batted down a pass from Luke Altmyer (https://www.espn.com/college-football/player//id/4597679/luke-altmyer) on Illinois' opening drive, leading to an easy interception by rookie starter linebacker Payton Pierce (https://www.espn.com/college-football/player//id/5079667/payton-pierce). Altmyer had been interception-free in 148 attempts before this, and while Ohio State's defense had dominated earlier games with just 25 points allowed total and only two picks, this marked a notable shift—and this is the part most people miss: could this hint at vulnerabilities in their usually airtight unit?
"I had a feeling he'd throw one our way," Mathews grinned, also crediting himself for forcing a fumble on a blitz. "This defense is absolutely relentless, right?"
Ohio State's D hadn't conceded more than nine points in any prior contest, but Day noted the team "eased up a bit" after jumping to a 34-10 lead early in the fourth.
"It's a positive sign when, after a win like this, you have to remind everyone in the locker room how significant it was—because it felt like we could have done even more," Day reflected.
First-time starter Sayin, who started the season with an impressive 80.2% completion rate, wasn't as sharp this time, hitting 19 of 27 passes. Still, he sidestepped big errors, threw two touchdowns, and orchestrated scoring drives on six of Ohio State's first eight possessions. This included a lengthy 63-yard march that lasted 7:52 after Illinois' initial score in the second half.
"We've demonstrated real grit," Sayin said. "When a drive stalls, you have to shake it off, focus on the next one, and keep pushing forward."
As the Buckeyes gear up for the season's latter half, tougher opponents await, but they've gained clarity in key areas—but here's where it gets controversial again: is Ohio State's rapid adaptation a testament to unparalleled depth, or does it expose the unfair advantage of powerhouse programs in college football, potentially hurting parity across the sport?
"Be careful out there—it's terrifying," Mathews joked with a smile. "We've got tons of self-belief."
What do you think? Does Ohio State's ability to bounce back after such heavy losses prove they're simply unbeatable, or does it raise questions about the balance of power in college football? Is the 'rebuilding' narrative outdated in the era of deep recruiting and coaching expertise? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with this resurgence, or disagree and think we might see cracks later in the season?
