5 things we think we learned from Ohio State vs. Illinois Saturday

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Ohio State got off on the right foot in Big Ten play by pulling away from Illinois in the 'Shoe on Saturday, winning pretty easily, 42-19. After every game, there are lessons and observations we think we can pull out, and that was definitely the case here.

Putting up 42 points while only giving up 19 obviously has a lot of positives. However, there were still some things that didn't show as well and will need to be cleaned up going forward, especially against better competition if the Buckeyes want to reach some of those very lofty goals they've no doubt set, including a deep run in the College Football Playoff.

We like to reflect on each Ohio State football performance and highlight some things we think were worth noting, and it's no different here after the blowout win over the Illini.

Here are five things we think we learned about the Buckeyes after Saturday's contest against Illinois.

Jeremiah Smith is somehow getting better for Ohio State

It doesn't seem possible, since Jeremiah Smith is already a superstar, but he just seems to be getting better. In this one, he beat single-coverage, double-coverage, zone defense, man-to-man, and seemingly cured world hunger and brought about world peace. There was no stopping Smith, and his route-running just continues to get better and better.

Ryan Day was quick to offer high praise of Smith after the game, calling him the best player in college football, and it's hard to argue against that. Of course, there will be biased comments and opinions, but Smith is big, fast, strong, has good hands, and works hard at his craft. He better be near the top of the Heisman buzz, and if not, there's something terribly wrong.

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin is embracing using his running ability

Buckeyes fans were very vocal about quarterback Julian Sayin needing to make more plays with his legs, and then the coaching staff made it an emphasis during the offseason as well. Sayin has been challenged to use his running ability more to keep plays alive and move the chains, and we are starting to see some of that come to fruition.

He's already scored two touchdowns on the ground this year, with another scramble to the corner of the end zone in this one, and while it's not eye-popping numbers, seven rushes for 29 yards, a couple of them very key, is more like it. Sayin will never be considered a dual-threat guy, but picking his spots to add to the scoreboard will only make this offense even better.

The defense has to be better for Ohio State

It's not all rosy. Yes, the scoreboard says the Ohio State defense only gave up 19 points, but a deeper dive shows that there are some concerns that need addressing. The Buckeyes gave up a whopping 462 yards, and almost 200 of it came on the ground. Illinois averaged 6.0 yards per rush and was able to keep the ball for large chunks of time because of OSU's inability to get the ball carrier on the ground consistently.

More than that, the linebackers and defensive backs were often sealed off by blocks, and the pursuit angles weren't good either. Illinois is not the best offense the Buckeyes will face, so there is clearly cause for concern and things that need to be addressed. At this point, the defense is not championship caliber, and it got away with Illinois' inability to finish things off today.

Ja'Kobi Jackson is carving out a significant role for Ohio State

We thought we knew the pecking order of the running backs heading into the season. In fact, when the Buckeyes lured Ja'Kobi Jackson out of the transfer portal from Florida, it was a bit of a depth footnote. That's not the case any longer. His experience and knowledge of what it takes to run hard have caught the eye of the coaching staff, and he's getting more and more carries.

He seems to have supplanted Isaiah West as the No. 2 back and has been the clear option in short-yardage situations. Day has complimented him as the back that runs the hardest, and we are seeing his production and mindset being rewarded with more game reps. He was the leading rusher today and got just one fewer attempt than starter Bo Jackson on this Midwest afternoon.

Ohio State still needs a clear No. 2 at receiver to emerge

Jeremiah Smith is — well, Jeremiah Smith, and he's a handful for any team. He'll continue to get his yards, catches, and scores, but he needs a Robin to fight crime with Batman. We thought that might be Brandon Inniss with his experience, or Devin McCuin with the way the coaches raved about the transfer. We also thought that maybe 5-star freshman Chris Henry Jr. would potentially emerge.

But none of that has really emerged. We've seen flashes here or there, and surely Sayin is looking Smith's way as a benefit of the doubt, but somewhere along the way, for the OSU offense to really hum, one of these receivers needs to be what Carnell Tate was to the Ohio State last season. The good news is that it appears the talent is there with plenty of depth and options, but who will step up, and when?

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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: 5 things we think we learned from Ohio State vs. Illinois Saturday

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