October 8, 2025 • 7 mins
BBC Analyst Bill Conley looks at this Illinois team and what the Buckeyes need to do to stop the 17th ranked Illini
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, let's check in with coach Bill Connley on
(00:03):
the Legacy Retirement Group dot com phone line. Coach played
at os U, he coached at o s U, and
now he analyzes the Buckeyes for US.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
William, how are you, my friend?
Speaker 3 (00:13):
Very good, bike, very good? Ready for another big win
this week?
Speaker 1 (00:16):
I don't know if your ears were burning the last hour.
I was talking to Matt McCoy. You know, you got
that UFL team coming into Columbus Aviators Professional Football next spring,
and uh, they're gonna need a coaching staff.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Bill, You ready to put the headset back on?
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Oh? Well, it depends on how much money.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
It always comes down to, that, doesn't it at all?
And rightfully so.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
But I mean they're gonna need a head coach, They're
gonna need a defensive coordinator. I don't know if you
if you need a if you need a reference, Bill,
let me know.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Okay, I will put me you don't put him over
the on your resume.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
Absolutely all right, William, we've got your undefeated five and
OHI house dates.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
If that did that, what would you do with nod enemy?
What would you do?
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (01:04):
We still we'd still require you to do that bit.
Speaker 4 (01:10):
He's on the sidelines in the middle of practice doing.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
A No Knight enemy with it. You've got I got
a good one. I got a good one.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
So you've got five and oh buck Eyes going to
Champagne for the first time in a decade.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Bill, And I'm sure you've you've did you play in Champagne.
I know you've. You've coached there.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Laying coach there. It can be a tough place. You know,
They've had some good teams over the path. One thing
about that place depends on the weather because they can
get crazy, but they have a good environment. They you know,
it's kind of like Washington. They really the crowd gets
into if they're playing good. Uh, they don't quite gets
as crazy when things aren't going good. But right, I
(01:52):
tell you they've had a good They have a good
team this year, scoring points, throwing the ball. Not as
good on defense as offense, but you know they're good
football team.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Yeah, the stumbled against Indiana, but see if they've you know,
sort of right right at the ship a little bit.
You've got the quarterback Luke Altmeyer has been efficient and
effective so far. He's kind of a dual threat guy.
And as you say, you could see some early energy.
I saw that the game sold out well in advance,
so you've got a lot of a line I fans
(02:20):
excited about this year's team. So you can see that
early energy, you know, in the stadium in the first
quarter where it stays close. But I don't think this
game is anything to worry about for Ohio State.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
No, if we I think what you just said, Mike
is really the key. We need a fast start over there.
If we get a fast start, don't give me anything
to cheer about, don't make any mistakes. We should be okay.
But the one thing, one stat they're really good at.
Matter of fact, they're first in Big ten right now,
is turnover margin. They're plus seven. You know we're plus one.
We're kind of middle of the pack. But at plus seven,
(02:53):
you know they'll get after you.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
So you mentioned their defense maybe being a little softer
than that they would like. So I mean we've got
you know, studs like Jillian Saying, Carnel Tate, Jeremiah Smith.
They're all big play guys, and if they can. I
don't know, if you're Illinois, what do you do on
d to try to slow that juggernaut down?
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Yeah? You got it to find a way because you know,
you can't let saying sit back and throw the ball
or you're dead. Yeah, you know, they come after quarterbacks.
They're at fifteen sacks before this year, but our offensive
line we've only given up two for the entire year.
So I think you got tried diskys or coverages. You
try to, you know, maintain control of the football. We're
(03:35):
in an offense, but they're not a great running team,
but they're really good passing teams. So they're kind of
cut between a little bit of a the you know,
shootout mode. You know, they when they score a lot
of points, you gotta score a lot of points. So
I think mainly, like it always, you know, one depends
on the defense. Our defense is playing so good or
first and Big ten scoring defense, total defense, third down
(03:56):
conversion defense, red zone defense. So if we can keep
playing good, things will get for the block Hots.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
Coach, speaking of defense, That's one thing I wanted to
bring up just looking at a couple of games, and
I wanted to see if maybe you picked up on
this too. It happened against Ohio, you it happened against Washington,
and it happened against Minnesota and it's very small, but
I've noticed the middle of the field has been opened
up a little bit in a couple of drives. It
happened early with Washington and of course you know Minnesota.
(04:24):
You know their first drive they went right down the
field and it was a lot of times because behind
the linebackers, in front of the safeties, there's a space
there that's wide open. Now, Matt Patricia has done a
great job of making adjustments and quick but this Illinois offense,
you may not come away with a field goal, you'll
come away with a touchdown.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Can you limit that early?
Speaker 4 (04:44):
Is this kind of defense that has to see it
first before we make the quick adjustment?
Speaker 3 (04:49):
Well, I would hope not. I think that scouting this team,
they knew who they got to take away in the middle.
So it is gonna be important because they got a
slot receiving ing Hank Baby, who you know he can
split the middle, no doubt about it. So I think
they know that. But there were you are exactly right, though,
can't You can't give a vertical pass up the middle
or you're going to be in trouble.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
The question is will this be the week? And I
thought it might have happened last week. I was dead wrong.
Will a team score more than ten points on the
buck Eyes?
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Is that? Is this the week?
Speaker 1 (05:20):
I've seen some score predictions, you know, in the range of,
you know, thirty five seventeen in favor of.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
The buck Eyes.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
I don't know if the A line I have it
in them to score seventeen points. But is this the
week that we I mean this It has been single
digits the entire season, Bill.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
I know, I mean we've been given up but five
points per game. I mean, this is unbelievable, unbelievable. But
they have a good offense. We'll get after. Aldemer is
a good guy. I mean he two three and twenty
yards last week. So you know, it's one of those
things that you can't It's kind of like golf. You
only get so many birdies and so many eagles, and
(05:55):
pretty soon, you know, you make both bogey or double bogie.
So you know, a good chance the team's going to
get over a couple of touchdowns sometimes this year, but
hopefully it will be this week. Because this thing. We
can't let the thing get ahead of us. That's the deal,
all right ahead of us?
Speaker 1 (06:10):
All right, Bill, You've got bucks line tomorrow nights six
to eight with Jeff and Roy and Matt and one
of the fan favorite features is no Dyine Enemy. Champagne
Illinois got the Illa Buck Trophy up for grabs.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
What do we know?
Speaker 1 (06:26):
What do we know about Illinois and Champagne and no
Thine Enemy.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Well, here's the thing. You know, we have fans are
travel great, High state fans travel great, Mike, and some
guys get there early. Here's the thing. Kill some time.
You could go fishing. You know you're on the water
right there. But here's the deal. You're not allowed to
fish on the back of a draft. That's a shape.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
And I was darn it. There go my plans for
this weekend. Well, there you go, little giraffe fishing. That's
too bad. That's too bad fish on the back of it.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Did they have giraffe in in Chantagne, Illinois?
Speaker 3 (07:04):
They must have won time.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
If there's a law in the books, Yeah, somebody did it.
I got to ask you Bill on the the Illa
Buck Trophy. It's a have you have you held that
in person? It's it's a wooden turtle, right.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Yes, a wooden turtle. There's a big rivalry between a
couple of the student organizations, and no, I have not,
and I really don't have a desire to. I'm afraid
of my bike, even though this would.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
That's so good and it's funny. That's the only rivalry
trophy the Buckeyes had. I guess I didn't realize that.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Yeah, yeah, you know they have one. Illinois has a
deal with the Purdue the Purdue cannon. Though some students
in their early nineteen hundreds, they took this canon. They're
going to set off every time that produce scored against Illinois.
Illinois students found out about they stole the cannon.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
That'll solve that real quick.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Yeah,
All right, let's check in with coach Bill Connley on
(00:03):
the Legacy Retirement Group dot com phone line. Coach played
at os U, he coached at o s U, and
now he analyzes the Buckeyes for US.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
William, how are you, my friend?
Speaker 3 (00:13):
Very good, bike, very good? Ready for another big win
this week?
Speaker 1 (00:16):
I don't know if your ears were burning the last hour.
I was talking to Matt McCoy. You know, you got
that UFL team coming into Columbus Aviators Professional Football next spring,
and uh, they're gonna need a coaching staff.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Bill, You ready to put the headset back on?
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Oh? Well, it depends on how much money.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
It always comes down to, that, doesn't it at all?
And rightfully so.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
But I mean they're gonna need a head coach, They're
gonna need a defensive coordinator. I don't know if you
if you need a if you need a reference, Bill,
let me know.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Okay, I will put me you don't put him over
the on your resume.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
Absolutely all right, William, we've got your undefeated five and
OHI house dates.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
If that did that, what would you do with nod enemy?
What would you do?
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (01:04):
We still we'd still require you to do that bit.
Speaker 4 (01:10):
He's on the sidelines in the middle of practice doing.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
A No Knight enemy with it. You've got I got
a good one. I got a good one.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
So you've got five and oh buck Eyes going to
Champagne for the first time in a decade.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Bill, And I'm sure you've you've did you play in Champagne.
I know you've. You've coached there.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Laying coach there. It can be a tough place. You know,
They've had some good teams over the path. One thing
about that place depends on the weather because they can
get crazy, but they have a good environment. They you know,
it's kind of like Washington. They really the crowd gets
into if they're playing good. Uh, they don't quite gets
as crazy when things aren't going good. But right, I
(01:52):
tell you they've had a good They have a good
team this year, scoring points, throwing the ball. Not as
good on defense as offense, but you know they're good
football team.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Yeah, the stumbled against Indiana, but see if they've you know,
sort of right right at the ship a little bit.
You've got the quarterback Luke Altmeyer has been efficient and
effective so far. He's kind of a dual threat guy.
And as you say, you could see some early energy.
I saw that the game sold out well in advance,
so you've got a lot of a line I fans
(02:20):
excited about this year's team. So you can see that
early energy, you know, in the stadium in the first
quarter where it stays close. But I don't think this
game is anything to worry about for Ohio State.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
No, if we I think what you just said, Mike
is really the key. We need a fast start over there.
If we get a fast start, don't give me anything
to cheer about, don't make any mistakes. We should be okay.
But the one thing, one stat they're really good at.
Matter of fact, they're first in Big ten right now,
is turnover margin. They're plus seven. You know we're plus one.
We're kind of middle of the pack. But at plus seven,
(02:53):
you know they'll get after you.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
So you mentioned their defense maybe being a little softer
than that they would like. So I mean we've got
you know, studs like Jillian Saying, Carnel Tate, Jeremiah Smith.
They're all big play guys, and if they can. I
don't know, if you're Illinois, what do you do on
d to try to slow that juggernaut down?
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Yeah? You got it to find a way because you know,
you can't let saying sit back and throw the ball
or you're dead. Yeah, you know, they come after quarterbacks.
They're at fifteen sacks before this year, but our offensive
line we've only given up two for the entire year.
So I think you got tried diskys or coverages. You
try to, you know, maintain control of the football. We're
(03:35):
in an offense, but they're not a great running team,
but they're really good passing teams. So they're kind of
cut between a little bit of a the you know,
shootout mode. You know, they when they score a lot
of points, you gotta score a lot of points. So
I think mainly, like it always, you know, one depends
on the defense. Our defense is playing so good or
first and Big ten scoring defense, total defense, third down
(03:56):
conversion defense, red zone defense. So if we can keep
playing good, things will get for the block Hots.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
Coach, speaking of defense, That's one thing I wanted to
bring up just looking at a couple of games, and
I wanted to see if maybe you picked up on
this too. It happened against Ohio, you it happened against Washington,
and it happened against Minnesota and it's very small, but
I've noticed the middle of the field has been opened
up a little bit in a couple of drives. It
happened early with Washington and of course you know Minnesota.
(04:24):
You know their first drive they went right down the
field and it was a lot of times because behind
the linebackers, in front of the safeties, there's a space
there that's wide open. Now, Matt Patricia has done a
great job of making adjustments and quick but this Illinois offense,
you may not come away with a field goal, you'll
come away with a touchdown.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Can you limit that early?
Speaker 4 (04:44):
Is this kind of defense that has to see it
first before we make the quick adjustment?
Speaker 3 (04:49):
Well, I would hope not. I think that scouting this team,
they knew who they got to take away in the middle.
So it is gonna be important because they got a
slot receiving ing Hank Baby, who you know he can
split the middle, no doubt about it. So I think
they know that. But there were you are exactly right, though,
can't You can't give a vertical pass up the middle
or you're going to be in trouble.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
The question is will this be the week? And I
thought it might have happened last week. I was dead wrong.
Will a team score more than ten points on the
buck Eyes?
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Is that? Is this the week?
Speaker 1 (05:20):
I've seen some score predictions, you know, in the range of,
you know, thirty five seventeen in favor of.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
The buck Eyes.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
I don't know if the A line I have it
in them to score seventeen points. But is this the
week that we I mean this It has been single
digits the entire season, Bill.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
I know, I mean we've been given up but five
points per game. I mean, this is unbelievable, unbelievable. But
they have a good offense. We'll get after. Aldemer is
a good guy. I mean he two three and twenty
yards last week. So you know, it's one of those
things that you can't It's kind of like golf. You
only get so many birdies and so many eagles, and
(05:55):
pretty soon, you know, you make both bogey or double bogie.
So you know, a good chance the team's going to
get over a couple of touchdowns sometimes this year, but
hopefully it will be this week. Because this thing. We
can't let the thing get ahead of us. That's the deal,
all right ahead of us?
Speaker 1 (06:10):
All right, Bill, You've got bucks line tomorrow nights six
to eight with Jeff and Roy and Matt and one
of the fan favorite features is no Dyine Enemy. Champagne
Illinois got the Illa Buck Trophy up for grabs.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
What do we know?
Speaker 1 (06:26):
What do we know about Illinois and Champagne and no
Thine Enemy.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Well, here's the thing. You know, we have fans are
travel great, High state fans travel great, Mike, and some
guys get there early. Here's the thing. Kill some time.
You could go fishing. You know you're on the water
right there. But here's the deal. You're not allowed to
fish on the back of a draft. That's a shape.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
And I was darn it. There go my plans for
this weekend. Well, there you go, little giraffe fishing. That's
too bad. That's too bad fish on the back of it.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Did they have giraffe in in Chantagne, Illinois?
Speaker 3 (07:04):
They must have won time.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
If there's a law in the books, Yeah, somebody did it.
I got to ask you Bill on the the Illa
Buck Trophy. It's a have you have you held that
in person? It's it's a wooden turtle, right.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Yes, a wooden turtle. There's a big rivalry between a
couple of the student organizations, and no, I have not,
and I really don't have a desire to. I'm afraid
of my bike, even though this would.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
That's so good and it's funny. That's the only rivalry
trophy the Buckeyes had. I guess I didn't realize that.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Yeah, yeah, you know they have one. Illinois has a
deal with the Purdue the Purdue cannon. Though some students
in their early nineteen hundreds, they took this canon. They're
going to set off every time that produce scored against Illinois.
Illinois students found out about they stole the cannon.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
That'll solve that real quick.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Yeah,
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