One of the prevailing assumptions about this year’s Ohio State Buckeyes is that they have yet to be tested. Ohio State has covered the betting spread eight times, lost once, and tied it once. Despite having to replace just about everyone on both sides of the ball, the Buckeyes have reloaded, and it could be argued that this year’s team is better than last year’s. While the folks in another conference are rooting on their teams against local YMCAs, there won’t be many casual eyeballs on the Buckeyes’ Senior Day matchup against Rutgers this weekend.
All in all, this game serves as the final preseason game for the Buckeyes. To this point, Ohio State has passed every test. Assuming the Buckeyes don’t overlook the Scarlet Knights – something that hasn’t happened in the Ryan Day era as compared to his predecessor’s inexplicable losses to Purdue and Iowa – the real season kicks off next week.
Regardless, a game must be played. Ohio State can use Rutgers to iron out some details and get some depth pieces some much-needed experience. With the expected gauntlet of That Team Up North, the Big Ten Championship, and three College Football Playoff games ahead, it’s time for the Buckeyes to turn it up.
Ohio State Gets One More Tune-Up Before Real Season Begins
Rest Those Stars
The headlining narratives heading into Ohio State vs. Rutgers won’t be about who participates in the Senior Day festivities, indicating which draft-eligible juniors will leave. Instead, it’ll be what is going on with Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith. Tate has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury, and Day has said it’s all been precautionary. At the same time, Smith was listed as questionable before the win over UCLA. He played in the first half and logged 22 snaps. However, he was held out in the second half, also as a precaution.
Plain and simple, if either player is anything less than 100%, it would be wise to just let them sit. It will hurt their chances for the Biletnikoff Award, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s only right. Would Day rather have Tate and Smith at 75% or so to beat Rutgers and risk reinjury? Or would he prefer them closer to 100% for Michigan and beyond? It’s safe to say the latter would be the prevailing feeling.
Julian Sayin will have to make it work as he did last week. He had his worst game of his young career (which isn’t saying much). Most of Sayin’s issues were due to a lack of chemistry and drops. With another week with Mylan Graham, Quincy Porter, and the rest of the depth, this week should be back to the usual level of Sayin’s play. Sayin isn’t going to have that elusive “Heisman Moment” against Rutgers (hopefully). He will get that chance next week and, ideally, the following week against Indiana in Indianapolis.
This is the kind of game Day and Brian Hartline should have confidence in their coaching. Sit Tate and Smith, and unleash the future of the wide receiver corps.
Run The Bo
If there’s any doubt, or the Buckeyes just want to get to Michigan week as soon as possible, finally ironing out the running game could be the move. Bo Jackson is the star of the room now and should be given plenty of opportunities to put this game away as soon as possible.
Over his last three games, Jackson began to break out. Against Penn State, Purdue, and UCLA, the true freshman ran for 292 yards and a touchdown on 42 carries. That is nearly seven yards per carry. Against Wisconsin, he didn’t do much because the Buckeyes trusted Sayin to throw the ball 42 times against a weak secondary. It’ll be the same, but in the other way, with Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights have the third-worst rushing defense in the Power 4.
In 10 games, Rutgers has allowed 196.5 yards per game at 6.6 yards per carry. When it comes to the latter, the Scarlets have the single-worst rushing defense in the nation…by a full yard. If the Buckeyes want to compare themselves to another CFP contender, Oregon racked up 415 yards and four touchdowns on the ground against Rutgers. Two weeks ago, the Scarlet Knights let Maryland run for 205 yards. The Terps are averaging 89 yards per game on the ground against opponents not named Rutgers. In that game, as well as the Oregon game, Rutgers allowed over 10 yards per carry.
If there is going to be a game in which the Ohio State running game looks good, it’ll be this one. Jackson, Isaiah West, and James Peoples should have opportunities to break explosive runs with CJ Donaldson capping drives off in the red zone. Of the 18 touchdowns Rutgers has allowed on the ground, six have been from at least 20 yards out.
Keep Up The Pressure
Rutgers’ offense has been decent this year against everyone not named Oregon. Athan Kaliakmanis has 2705 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 62.3% of his passes. Doak Walker Award semifinalist Antwan Raymond has an aesthetically pleasing stat line of 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns on 200 carries, leading the way as the most dangerous weapon to plan for.
However, if Ohio State sees itself as a legitimate CFP contender, as it should, it should look to replicate what Oregon did to this Scarlet Knights offense.
Kaliakmanis threw for 79 yards and completed only eight passes on that day. He didn’t find the endzone, but he did find the waiting arms of two Duck defenders for a pair of interceptions. Plus, Raymond split time with Ja’shon Benjamin, with both backs carrying the ball 18 times each.
Oregon held Rutgers to seven three-and-outs. On the subsequent drives, the Ducks scored five touchdowns, missed a field goal, and knelt the ball to end the half. Oregon played complementary football to take down Rutgers, and Ohio State should look to do the same.
Up front, Kayden McDonald should have another strong performance in run support. This also feels like a game in which the Buckeyes can force a couple of turnovers. Caleb Downs, Jermaine Mathews Jr., or even Devin Sanchez could be in a great position to snag an interception. Kaliakmanis has thrown seven on the year, but two came in that game against Oregon.
If Ohio State can keep the pressure on on defense and continue its boa constrictor-like offense, it should be able to switch focus to Michigan pretty early on Saturday.
Then, the fun begins.
Main Image: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn
