Jeremiah Smith's Heisman case, Sayin's grit and more from Ohio State's win over Illinois

Ohio State moved to 3-1 on the season with a dominant 42-19 win over Illinois in the Big Ten opener at Ohio Stadium. The No. 7 Buckeyes leaned on a historic performance from wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who scored four touchdowns and piled up 217 receiving yards on 12 catches.

Smith recorded the first three-touchdown game of his collegiate career in the first 21:29 of the game, becoming the first Buckeye receiver to notch three scores in a half since Noah Brown against Oklahoma in 2016. Each touchdown showcased a different element of his game, from winning contested catches to making defenders miss in the open field.

Is Jeremiah Smith the best player in college football?

Smith's case for the Heisman Trophy grows stronger by the week. By the time Ohio State travels to face defending national champion Indiana on Oct. 17, he is projected to hold Ohio State's all-time records for receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

Despite his production, Smith has never won the Biletnikoff Award or been invited to New York as a Heisman finalist. His teammates and coaches believe that will change soon.

Smith's first touchdown came on a one-on-one matchup in the red zone where he made Illinois cornerback Juice Clarke look overmatched. His second score saw him freeze safety Mac Resetich with a subtle stutter step before accelerating to the end zone. The third was a toe-tap masterpiece along the sideline that required extraordinary body control.

“The strength, awareness, and body control are otherworldly. We have almost gotten used to him making an absurd play or two every game, but I hope we never become numb to it.”

Julian Sayin shows a new dimension in the running game

Quarterback Julian Sayin answered questions about his mobility with a career-best rushing performance. The Buckeye signal caller completed 27 of 36 passes for 367 yards and four touchdowns while adding 28 rushing yards on seven carries, including a 7-yard touchdown run.

Sayin's touchdown came on a scramble late in the first half when he recognized the back side was unguarded and took off for the pylon. Earlier, he converted a critical third down by powering through multiple would-be tacklers.

Critics have noted that Sayin lacks the athleticism of former Ohio State quarterbacks like Braxton Miller or Justin Fields. But his willingness to take hits and extend plays when needed signals growth in a key area.

Ohio State defense still searching for consistency

The Buckeyes have led the nation in scoring defense and total defense in each of the last two seasons. This year's group, under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, has yet to reach that standard.

Illinois rushed for 199 yards on 33 attempts, averaging 6 yards per carry. Running back Aidan Laughery was especially effective, gaining 113 yards on just 11 carries. The Illini controlled the ball for 13:15 in the third quarter, limiting Ohio State's explosive offense to a single drive.

The defensive line has struggled to find the right combination of players after losing several starters to the NFL. Missed tackles and wide-open running lanes plagued the unit at times against both Texas and Illinois.

Ohio State's schedule does not get easier. After a trip to Iowa next week, the Buckeyes face Maryland, Indiana, USC, Oregon, and Michigan. Against those opponents, the defense cannot rely on the offense to outscore every team.

What's next for Ohio State?

The Buckeyes travel to Iowa City next Saturday to face the Hawkeyes. Iowa presents a different challenge with its physical running game and opportunistic defense. Ohio State will need a more complete defensive performance to avoid an upset on the road.

For Smith, the national recognition he has long deserved appears inevitable. For Sayin, the improved mobility adds another layer to an already potent offense. For the defense, the questions remain, but the talent to fix them is still on the roster.