Super Smith launches Buckeyes past Illinois

    Jeremiah Smith continued to stake his claim as the best player in the nation after a superhuman outing to pace the Ohio State Buckeyes to a 42-19 win over the Fighting Illini of Illinois in Columbus.

Smith finished with four touchdown receptions on 12 catches for 217 yards, while Julian Sayin threw those four touchdowns and ran for another score. 

Sayin finished with 367 passing yards for the game.

Ohio State improved to 3-1 on the year (1-0 Big Ten) and will travel to Iowa this Saturday.

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1) Jeremiah Smith is beyond description.

Short of covering him with two or even three defenders, there isn't much a defense is going to be able to do to stop him.

2) Smith is big and strong to fight for the contested ball, but has the type of speed to run right back defenders.

Physically, he's the best WR prospect for the NFL in years and the best wideout in program history- which says it all.

3) Julian Sayin threw those four touchdowns to Smith and was impressive throwing the ball, but what really impressed me was his scramble for a touchdown.

Sayin is never going to be the runner that Ohio State has seen in the past, but he showed that he can use some movement out of the pocket when needed, which adds an extra dimension.

4) Still have some defensive concerns.

Illinois rushed for 199 yards and while Illinois is a run first club, allowing those numbers is conerning this week against another run first club in Iowa.

5) Ohio State finished with three sacks, but I still don't see a pass rush that will be a factor against better team.

While the Buckeyes have done well in developing defensive tackles in recent years, they have struggled with defensive ends since the times of the Bosa brothers and Chase Young.

6) If there is a player that could break the above narrative, it is freshman Khary Wilder, who does seem to have the potential to solve that problem.

I'd like to see more of Wilder as the season progresses.

7) My hot take- tight end Nate Roberts will be a first or second round draft pick when he moves onto the NFL.

Roberts blocks well enough but has soft hands and will be thought of highly by NFL scouts.

8) The last time Ohio State visited Iowa's Kinnick Stadium, Iowa hammered the Buckeyes 55-24 in a big upset.

I don't think the coaching staff has forgotten that night and between those memories and Iowa coming off a high with a final play win over Michigan, Ohio State will be ready.

My time just seems so limited now that I feel so far behind on my writing.

The Browns play tomorrow and I've yet to recap either of the Browns two wins.

I hope to get the Carolina game finished before tomorrow's game vs Pittsburgh