Editor’s note: Every week, The Daily Illini football staff will chat with a sports editor or football beat reporter from an opposing school’s paper. Up this week is The Lantern sports editor Ryan Cooperbr. His answers have been edited for space.

The Daily Illini: What is your reaction to the quarterback controversy?

Ryan Cooper: I said from the start that J.T. Barrett is a better fit for Urban Meyer’s offense, which relies heavily on quarterback runs, and it seems Meyer has accepted that reality as well. He certainly had a ton of loyalty to Jones, likely for choosing to come back and because he’s probably leaving for the NFL after this year, but after a while he had to do what was right for the teambr.

DI: What are your thoughts about the J.T. Barrett suspension?

RC: It was definitely a shock from a guy that people on the team never stop talking about in such a positive light as a person. Other captains said he personally called them to express how sorry he was for what he might have done to the team, which really does speak to where his mind is atbr. It was a very unfortunate incident, but I’m very sure it will be an isolated one.

DI: Does anyone at Ohio State care about what has been happening with Illinois this past week? Does anyone have strong feelings about Beckman?

RC: I don’t think in the minds of the average Ohio State student there is too much concern about the doings of any Big Ten team that isn’t OSU, Michigan or Michigan State. It’s definitely a shame how much overhaul there has been at Illinois this year, but in the grand scheme of things for the current Big Ten landscape I don’t think it’s been too concerning for the student body.

DI: What is the key to stopping Ezekiel Elliott?

RC: The thing about Ezekhiel Elliott is that even when his running game isn’t at his best, which is still usually very goodbr, he is also one of the best blockers on the team. If there is any key to stopping him, though, I would say it’s forcing him to the outside. He’s at his best when he’s getting blocking in front to create holes up the middle, but isn’t the quickest when it comes to getting to the outside.

DI: What do you think is one of Ohio State’s weaknesses that Illinois could use to its advantage? Do you think this Illinois team could beat Ohio State?

RC: The Ohio State defense has been interesting in that there’s always some sort of big play opportunity, but it changes. Some games it has issues with quarterbacks getting out of the pocket and scrambling, and others it gives up multiple deep balls. When OSU tries to clamp down on one, it seems to open up the other. Still, that has not burnt it to the point where any game has truly been in doubt, except for maybe at Indiana (where it was a running quarterback that gave the Buckeyes trouble). To put it bluntly, I don’t think Illinois has any chance.

DI: How do fans feel about the team, considering the team has not been as dominant as last year?

RC: There’s always a great deal of frustration from a fanbase that is so used to such a high level of performance when it doesn’t play to its fullest potential. This is something that I saw a ton of even last year, as the team really didn’t take off until the end of the season. I think there has definitely been some worry, particularly in the early portion of the season, but players and fans have seen this act before.

DI: Is the defense as strong as last year to cover a healthy Wes Lunt?

RC: As mentioned above, OSU has had some issues with running quarterbacks this year. The flip side of that is that the OSU secondary has been absolutely dominant against quarterbacks who tend to stay in the pocket. Hawaii’s Max Wittek and Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg, two quarterbacks who don’t move much, only had 67 and 120 yards, respectivelybr. I don’t think Lunt, who has only had positive rushing gains of eight yards this year, should be particularly looking forward to this matchup.