Most people think that Ohio State will win easily against Rutgers this week in Columbus. While I believe that is pretty accurate, there are five keys to winning big that will reign supreme over all the other reasons. Rutgers is probably better than most are giving them credit for, but it is still not on the same level as Ohio State.
That’s not saying that head coach Greg Schiano will make a difference in culture — and ultimately — results on the field, it’s simply to early to expect enough momentum to make this that competitive of a game, or so we think.
Still, Ohio State can’t just step off the bus and roll their helmets on the field. Each opponent must be taken seriously, and so it is Saturday night as well. With that in mind, here are five keys to Ohio State winning big over Rutgers.
Key One: Justin Fields playing within the game
Justin Fields has been outstanding and he just needs to be himself
It has only been two games, but Justin Fields is leading the NCAA in QBR at 97.2
Will Fields be able to keep up these near perfect performances?
— Ohio Vs Everyone (@ohiovsevery1) November 5, 2020
One thing we know is that Justin Fields has been lights-out this season. Going into a game against a Rutgers team that is struggling against the pass, Fields should be able to continue to put up some big numbers. The Scarlet Knights have not only struggled in coverage, but they have also struggled in pass-rushing. The more time teams give Fields, the more he is going to be able to shred the defense.
As long as Fields plays within the game and doesn’t get overly confident against Rutgers, he’ll lead OSU to victory. Rutgers has shown it can score points itself, so if it comes to it, Fields can easily keep this offense ahead of anything Rutgers does. Watch for him to connect early and often with his receivers.
Key Two: The front seven gets pressure…and a lot of it
Ohio State will get a ton of pressure
RT OhioStateOnBTN "Tommy "T" Togiai and the T stands for tackle. 💥
Congrats to @OhioStateFB's @Big_Tom72 on earning B1G Defensive Player of the Week! pic.twitter.com/xkwOh8dc8t"
— The Buckeye Cast™ (@thebuckeyecast) November 3, 2020
One thing the Buckeyes have done really well is to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Right now Rutgers has a lot of questions at quarterback and that could mean the entire front seven finding themselves in the backfield quite often.
Greg Schiano’s crew not only has some questions at quarterback, but its offensive line will probably not be able to hold up on the interior against the Buckeyes. I also think that this means Baron Browning and Tuf Borland could also be used a little more than the last two games in getting pressure, allowing the secondary to key in on misthrows.
Key Three: The secondary locks down Rutgers
Shaun Wade and crew easily have their best game to date
Was curious to see the Shaun Wade coverage vs. Jahan Dotson. Actually, it’s pretty good here. Sometimes, you’ve just got to tip your hat to the other guy. The TD catch on the next play was also more due to Dotson than Wade. pic.twitter.com/4kqKIl2iLY
— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) November 3, 2020
There were a lot of people down on Shaun Wade after this past week, but upon going back and rewatching, Wade was not at fault for most of the yardage. First, Wade wasn’t on Jahan Dotson until the second half, and when he was assigned to him, he had really good coverage, Dotson and Sean Clifford just made some otherworldly plays.
That all said, this week Wade will remind everyone why he is a top corner in this upcoming draft and will lock down his opposition for most of the game. There is no one really on Rutgers who has the athleticism that Dotson has. Wade and Banks will be able to hold down a fairly mediocre wide receiver corps for Rutgers.
Key Four: The offensive line just dominates
The offensive line will just keep Justin Fields clean, as usual
Ohio State OT duo: Thayer Munford & Nicholas Petit-Frere vs Penn St
▪️ 37 pass-block snaps
▪️ 0 pressures allowed
▪️ 0 sacks pic.twitter.com/lnteKWZAtf— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 1, 2020
This offensive line for Ohio State is really, really good. They have made some outstanding players in the first two games seem pedestrian. The scary thing is that this line is still getting better and gelling together after the offseason. To throw it back to the first key with Fields, it all starts up front. The offensive line should have no problems keeping him upright to see passing lanes and bomb away.
There is not much Rutgers will be able to do to get to Fields consistently, and while I’m sure Greg Schiano will to bring some bodies in the backfield, this line is just better. Look for some more push too in the running game, but really if we’re being honest, it’s all about Fields.
Key Five: The running game churns out some yards
The running game is getting better, but it needs a breakout game
Ohio State running backs after 2 games
Master Teague #33
•35 attempts
•151 Yards (4.3 avg)
•3 TDsTrey Sermon #8
•24 attempts
•104 yards (4.3 avg)
•0 TDs pic.twitter.com/dUfoTtuHdG— Mr. Ohio (@MrOH1O) November 1, 2020
There has been a lot of talk about what’s wrong with the running game for the Buckeyes this season — at least traditionally with the backs. Both Teague and Sermon struggled to find room on the ground in the first game and failed a little better against Penn State. If there was ever a game for the running game to get rolling with confidence, it would be this one. Granted, Rutgers has not been bad against the run, but the threat of the passing game should open some opportunities for both backs.
As the Buckeyes should be comfortably ahead in this game, they should turn to the running game to help grind the game down as the sands of the hourglass run out. If both backs can get volume and numbers late into the game, this will be an even easier game than many predict. While not essentially a key to a win, it is a key to finishing the game strong and moving forward.
