Okay, so maybe it wasn’t quite the score most people projected, but Ohio State still more than took care of business against a Rutgers team that’s just looking to turn the page into a new era.
Like most games, the Buckeyes raced out to a big lead, then cruised from there. The second and third teamers may have took it on the chin just a wee-bit toward the tail-end of the game, but it was still good experience and something the whole team can grow from.
Next up is the big one against Penn State, but first we take time to reflect with five things we learned from the Ohio State win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Anyone can make the spectacular play at anytime
Yeah, you know about Justin Fields, J.K. Dobbins, and Chase Young, but there’s so much NFL talent on this roster it’s a bit ridiculous. I think we’re going to look back on this year’s team and be absolutely floored by how many kids end up playing ball on Sundays.
Wide-receiver Chris Olave made a draw-dropping catch, cornerback Shaun Wade made a highlight-reel interception, and they aren’t the only ones to get into the spotlight.
Again, maybe it didn’t go as well with after the first-teamers as you would have thought against Rutgers, but this team has a depth of talent maybe nobody else in the country has.
Next … Justin Fields can indeed sling it
When given a longer leash, Justin Fileds can put up some number through the air
You’ve heard it right? Justin Fields is as good as a passer as he is making plays with his legs. And we’ve definitely seen signs of that. The kid has a big arm with an effortless throwing motion, and is underrated with his accuracy.
But the coaching staff hasn’t asked him to air things out too much so far in 2019. It hasn’t had too. In this one though, it looked like Fields had a little fun. He slung it around for his first career 300 yard passing game, going 15-19 for 305 yards and four touchdowns. That’s as many incompletions as TDs.
If things ever bog down in the running game, there won’t be a problem cashing in some air miles down the road.
Next … A little letdown
Ohio State lost a little edge in the second half
Look, it’s human nature right? You’re up huge and you’ve listened to all the media talk about how much of a lopsided affair this whole thing’s going to be. And then, it’s going that very way.
So, you subconsciously take your foot off the gas a little, lose a bit of an edge and focus. That’s exactly what seemed to happen later in the second half in this one. The backups have looked fantastic in recent weeks because of the depth on the roster, but this time the defense seemed to not be as motivated and locked in.
To Ohio State’s credit, it’s extremely hard to keep a team firing on all cylinders through the entire schedule, and it’s a testament to the character of this team that it’s been so dialed in throughout 2019. It lost a little bit in this one though, and you can bet Ryan Day and staff are finding ways to use that as a teaching moment.
Next … It’s more than limiting yards
The defense is a ball-hawking one
A little bit lost in all the eye-popping stats on both side of the ball on this team is the fact that the defense has been lights out in the turnover department. Yeah it can stop the run, and yeah the secondary is locking people down, but Ohio State is now No. 3 in turnover margin in all of FBS.
With three more takeaways Saturday, the Buckeyes have now created 22 turnovers by the opponent. That’s tied with Notre Dame, and only fellow Big Ten colleague Illinois has created more (26). If you want to score a lot of points and keep the other team off the board, limiting the number of possessions by way of taking them away is a good formula to implement.
It’s working this year.
Next … Off to Penn State
Now for the biggest game of the year, Penn State
You thought the Wisconsin game was the one to watch this year, but it had to go and stub its toe against Illinois. Penn State was looking for all the world to be a matchup of two undefeated teams, but the Nittany Lions couldn’t take care of business against Minnesota.
BUT, it’s still going to be undefeated Ohio State team against a one-loss Penn State squad for a chance to go to Indianapolis as the East Division representative. It’s also going to be a top ten matchup no matter how you slice it.
It’s a big one, and it kind of looked like the Buckeyes may have been looking ahead just a little once the game against Rutgers got into the second half.
ESPN College Game Day will be there, the FOX Big Noon Kickoff show will be there, and so too will BTN Tailgate. It’ll be a party, and even though I think Penn State might be a little overrated, there are still huge implications in this one.
Win, and a bunch of things will fall into place.
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