Jon Spencer's OSU report card

Offensive line

The going figured to be very easy for the Buckeyes and the ridiculous numbers at halftime, before the Buckeyes began going to their bench, reflected it. Total yards: OSU 358, Illinois 43. Ohio State converted twice on fourth down, leading to 10 points. So there's that.  Ohio State also stayed focused enough to play penalty-free ball while building a 38-0 lead before rain began coming down in sheets.

Grade: A

Running game

Who is this Mike Weber we've seen the last two weeks? He used to have trouble breaking tackles, let alone breaking long runs. He did both on a 43-yard burst, the second of his two first quarter touchdowns, after essentially racing untouched on TD jaunts of 47 and 82 yards last week against Michigan's third-ranked run defense. Between them, Weber, J.K. Dobbins and quarterback J.T. Barrett had 28 carries for 192 yards and four TDs. H-back Parris Campbell nearly scored on a 44-yard reverse, setting up an easy TD for Barrett.

Grade: A

Passing game

There weren't a lot of shots downfield, but it was obvious Ohio State was going to keep it simple and not show Michigan a lot heading into next week's rivalry game. J.T. Barrett was a little late going to Johnnie Dixon in the end zone and by the time he did fire a strike Dixon ran out of room to come down inbounds. In his final home game, Barrett did throw touchdown passes to Ben Victor and Marcus Baugh, Nos. 100 and 101, and became OSU's all-time leading rusher among QBs, passing Braxton Miller.

Grade: B

Defensive line

Newark Catholic product Chayce Crouch won the starting job Saturday by default, with the Illini's other two options both hurt. Crouch somehow avoided joining them on the shelf, but had a miserable day trying to complete passes. Yes, the OSU front four can be intimidating even if it's not taking the quarterback to the ground. 

Grade: B plus

Linebackers

Tuf Borland got his second straight start at middle linebacker. This time\he didn't top the tackle charts, but Chris Worley continues to look more comfortable back outside instead in the middle, with a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry. The Illini had zero ground game, making life even tougher on their Ohio transplant at quarterback.

Grade: A

Defensive backs 

Hard to find anything to complain about when quarterback Chayce Crouch had only 3 completions for 9 yards into the third quarter. Safety Damon Webb dropped a potential pick-6 as interceptions continue to be hard to come by this season for the Buckeyes.

Grade: A minus

Special teams

True freshman Jeff Okudah recovered a fumbled punt to set up J.T. Barrett's final touchdown pass in Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes seem to have gotten things straightened out on their kickoffs and kick coverage and Drue Chrisman launched a 58-yard punt, although it was for a touchback. He's been so good at putting the ball down inside the 20, Urban Meyer would have loved a 53-yarder there instead. 

Grade: A

Coaching

It was a bit risky, but Urban Meyer put his starting unit back in with rain pouring down in the third quarter after Illinois returned a fumble by backup quarterback Dwayne Haskins for a touchdown, ruining OSU's shutout bid. Apparently, a wet ball is no alibi for turning the ball over and Meyer wanted to send a message ... and send his 19-man senior class out in its final game on the highest of notes. Plus, whether you think the Buckeyes are a playoff team or not, there's the CFP committee to try and impress.

Grade: A

— Jon Spencer