The top-ranked, 9-0 Ohio State Buckeyes of coach Jim Tressel traveled to Champaign to meet the 2-7 Illinois Fighting Illini of coach Ron Zook.  The Buckeyes had to survive an on-sides kick attempt with less than 2:00 play to retain The Belt in a 17-10 victory over the Fighting Illini.  After taking a 17-0 lead in the 1^st half, it appeared the Buckeyes were on their way to another routine, 4 touchdown victory before the Fighting Illini defense shutdown the Ohio State offense.  Illinois' offense dominated play in the 2^nd half but was not able to get into the end zone until 1:40 left in the game.  The Buckeyes opened the game in what is becoming their typical fashion; a long touchdown drive that takes the opposing crowd out of the game.  This drive went 14 plays over 80 yards in 6:44 with Ohio State's RB Chris Wells getting the touchdown on a 2-yard run coming on a 4^th down play.  The Buckeyes scored early in the 2^nd quarter as RB Antonio Pittman finished a 38-yard scoring drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.  The drive was set-up when Ohio State's LB Curtis Terry recovered a fumble by Illinois' RB Derrick McPherson.  A strong wind assisted the Buckeyes on their next score as PK Aaron Pettrey connected on a 50-yard field goal that appeared it would have been good from 60 yards as Ohio State took a 17-0 lead to the locker room.  Neither team managed much offense in the 3^rd quarter as the teams combined to punt 6 times.  The teams exchanged punts again to open the 4^th quarter before Illinois' back-up QB Tim Brasic, taking over for the ineffective starter QB Juice Williams, drove the Fighting Illini to a 27-yard field goal from PK Jason Reda.  Many expected Ohio State to finally settle down & take control but Illinois' S Kevin Mitchell intercepted Buckeyes' Heisman Trophy winning, All-American QB Troy Smith on a deflected pass giving Illinois the ball at the Illinois 35-yard line.  On the next play, Illinois hopes seemed dashed as Brasic was intercepted by Ohio State's All-American LB James Laurinaitis.  Although the Buckeyes didn't score, the Fighting Illini had only 3:43 left & still trailed by 14 points at 17-3.  Illinois drove 80 yards in 2:03 with RB Rashard Mendenhall getting the touchdown on a 3-yard run.  The on-sides kick attempt hit off one of the Buckeyes' up-backs before Ohio State's WR Brian Robiskie recovered & secured the win.  Ohio State's Smith threw for a season-low 108 yards while being intercepted once & sacked 3 times.  Illinois quarterbacks were not sacked but combined for just 134 yards passing with Williams throwing for 77 yards & Brasic throwing for 57 yards with an interception.  The Illini finished the season 2-10 while the Buckeyes finished 12-1, Big Ten Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally.  Illinois would play for The Belt again in 2008.