BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana is almost, but not quite, the new Illinois, as far as Ohio State is concerned.
1. llinois was the overmatched team the Buckeyes could either not beat or could just barely beat at critical times. In 1991, a 99-yard return of future Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George's fumble gave Illinois an 18-16 victory in Columbus when John Cooper was coach.
In 2002, Jim Tressel's national championship team eked out an overtime 23-16 victory in Champaign, Ill. It was the first OT game in Ohio State history. It was a primer for the double-overtime upset of the Miami Hurricanes for the national championship.