No. 7 Ohio State beat Illinois 42-19 for its first conference win of the season, extending its winning streak over the Illini to 11 games. Jeremiah Smith had 12 catches for 217 yards and four touchdowns; Julian Sayin threw for 367 yards and four scores.
The article said Smith's performance pushed him to the top of the Heisman odds. Sayin also ran for 29 yards and a touchdown, while the report praised young defenders Riley Pettijohn, Devin Sanchez, Khary Wilder and Jay Timmons.
Ohio State recorded three sacks and kept Katin Houser in trouble; the Illinois quarterback had not been sacked earlier this season. The Buckeyes allowed 199 rushing yards on 33 carries, including 113 yards on 11 carries by Aidan Laughery. The writer gave the run defense a D and said it needed to improve quickly.
