COLUMBUS — Ohio State kept the Illibuck trophy and kept on winning, rolling past Illinois 42-19 on Saturday at Ohio Stadium. The win stretched the Buckeyes’ series winning streak to 11 games and kept them firmly in the national championship picture.
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith stole the show with 12 catches for 217 yards and four touchdowns, eight of those catches and three of the scores coming before halftime. The sophomore standout took another step toward an Ohio State receiving record, and oddsmakers took notice: Polymarket moved Smith to a 26 percent chance to win the Heisman Trophy, making him the betting favorite, while FanDuel listed him at +270. Quarterbacks usually dominate the race, but Smith’s season — 33 catches, 617 yards and seven touchdowns through four games, averaging better than 19 yards a catch — has forced voters to look his way.
Quarterback Julian Sayin turned in an impressive outing of his own as the Buckeyes stayed in control throughout. Ohio State now turns its attention to the heart of the Big Ten schedule, with its playoff hopes and a potential Heisman winner both very much alive in Columbus.