Illinois: #47 J Leman

Position: Linebacker

Class: Senior

Hometown: Champaign, Ill.

Height: 6-feet-3

Weight: 243 lbs.

Leman hasn’t had the big year that many Illini fans had imagined, but the hometown hero once again leads the Illini in tackles, averaging 10.2 per game, which is fourth best in the conference. Last year against Ohio State, Leman had his breakout game, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording 19 tackles against the then-No. 1 Buckeyes, including one sack and a forced fumble in front of a national audience.

Ohio State: #33 James Laurinaitis

Position: Linebacker

Class: Junior

Hometown: Hamel, Minn.

Height: 6-feet-3

Weight: 240 lbs.

Last year’s Nagurski Award winner as the nation’s best defensive player once again anchors the Big Ten’s top-ranked defense. He leads Ohio State in total tackles and ranks sixth in the Big Ten Conference with 8.5 tackles per game. Laurinaitis is second on the Buckeyes in sacks and interceptions with five and two, respectively. So far this season Ohio State is surrendering just 65 yards rushing per game and has allowed opponents to score just two rushing touchdowns. Laurinaitis and the rest of the Buckeyes’ defense will face their toughest test in the Illini, who lead the conference in rushing, averaging more than 260 yards per game on the ground.