CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- J.T. Barrett returned from his one-game suspension, so the table was set for one final offensive statement before Ohio State entered the hard -- and final -- part of its schedule.

This was supposed to be like the Buckeyes win at Rutgers a few weeks, a blowout on the road over an inferior opponent that had no answer for Ohio State's talent.

This was supposed to be easy.

But it wasn't.

Ohio State beat Illinois 28-3 in Barrett's return, but the game looked a lot more like the Buckeyes' previous underwhelming performances than what you'd expect from them in mid-November heading into the Michigan State game.

* Barrett gave Ohio State's offense the thing that Cardale Jones couldn't: The zone-read aspect that heavy on designed quarterback runs. That puts Ohio State's offense in a groove, helps it move the ball meticulously. When Barrett and Ezekiel Elliott are on the same page, Ohio State's offense can take over the game on the ground.

It did against Illinois. There were entire drives that were just Ohio State bullying the Illinois defense. Elliott did what he does, and Barrett was a good complement when he decided to keep the ball. That all was working and will continue to work into the future.

Elliott rushed for 181 yards and two touchdowns and Barrett rushed for 74 yards and another score.

* However, the pass game isn't there. It's so strange because Barrett threw 34 touchdowns last season and the Buckeyes were so good before through the air before his injury. But what's the problem now? Barrett looks hesitant at times in the pocket and the Buckeyes can't seemingly get into a rhythm through the air.

Barrett threw for 150 yards and a touchdown, but is that really going to cut it against Michigan State, Michigan or the teams potentially waiting for the Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff?

* It's easy to come down on Barrett for the lack of efficiency in the passing game because he's the quarterback, but the protection wasn't there. Perhaps the reason he couldn't find comfort as a passer is because he never had time to sit back and find his targets.

Barrett's only interception came when his arm got hit while in the throwing motion. He needs more time to breathe, simply put.

* Barrett's lone touchdown pass was a thing of beauty. It was a 24-yard connection with Mike Thomas. Barrett lofted it up to Thomas, who was in one-on-one coverage, and put it in the perfect spot. Thomas went up and got it in the corner of the end zone and brought it down. It was perfect.

* Where you expecting a Rutgers-like performance? Maybe Barrett came back from suspension and had to shake off a little rust, but that probably wasn't the ideal performance the Buckeyes wanted from their starting quarterback the week before Michigan State. It was a win, but didn't it seem kind of off?