By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland Plain Dealer) -

Champaign, Ill. — It’s an Ohio State team on a national championship track against an Illinois team with a stud running back and a quarterback with questionable passing skills.

The Buckeyes vs. the Fighting Illini in 2010 bears at least a passing resemblance to the matchup three years ago, the high point of coach Ron Zook’s tenure at Illinois.

In November 2007, with future NFL first-round pick Rashard Mendenhall joining him in the backfield, mobile Illinois sophomore quarterback Juice Williams entered the game with a completion percentage of 56.1. He had more interceptions than touchdowns, and an average of 113 passing yards and 57 rushing yards per game.

And then he tossed the Illini to the upset, throwing what was then a career-high four touchdown passes in a 28-21 stunner against the nation’s No. 1 team.

Now, it’s October 2010. The game is in Champaign, not Columbus. But the Illini have another reliable back in Mikel Leshoure, who ranks seventh in the nation in rushing, averaging 132 yards per game. And they have mobile redshirt freshman quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase, who enters his fourth career start with a completion percentage of 54.4, the same number of interceptions and touchdowns, and an average of 127 passing yards and 68 rushing yards per game.

Now, just like three years ago, there’s little reason for the No. 2 Buckeyes to expect this quarterback to beat them with his arm……

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