Records
Ohio State (9-0), Rutgers (2-7)
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: Saturday, November 16
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Network: Big Ten Network
Venue: SHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ – Capacity: 52,454
All-Time Series: Ohio State leads 5-0
Last Meeting: Ohio State defeated Rutgers 52-3 in 2018
No Chase Young? No problem. Well, at least not against Maryland.
Rutgers won’t pose much more of a problem than a small speed bump on the way to a final stretch of games that will determine the Buckeye’s CFP fate. Coaches can tell you not to look ahead and to take each opponent seriously, but if Rutgers were to find someway to be competitive, let alone beat Ohio State, it would certainly go down as one of the biggest upsets in college football history.
Seriously. There’s simply no way this thing is close. But … there’s still a game to play and an all-expenses trip to take to the garden state, so off we go on this journey.
Win and you’re in… it’s that simple. Before we start looking ahead to the big ones, the Bucks need to take care of business in Piscataway.
Next … The game plan
Ohio State game plan for victory
We’re going to keep this simple. Make sure everyone gets on the plane and no one turns an ankle exiting.
Seriously, this Rutgers program is in shambles. Players are asking to sit out this season so they can redshirt (maybe even transfer without losing a year of eligibility). Chris Ash fired mid season. It’s a dumpster fire over there in New Jersey. The only thing the Scarlet Knights have going for them right now is the possibility of waking the ghosts of Rutgers football past in Greg Schiano.
Ohio State should keep it simple and make sure everyone gets out without injury. Rutgers is at the bottom of almost every single defensive and offensive stat in the Big Ten. J.K. Dobbins has only 28 fewer rushing yards than the entire Rutgers team. Chase Young has more sacks than the entire Scarlet Knight defense combined — and he’s not even playing apparently. The Buckeyes could almost certainly start the second and third string units and come away with a sizable victory.
This one won’t be pretty if you’re a Rutgers fan.
Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 1 p.m. ET.
Next … The key players for Ohio State
Two Key Players For Ohio State
Marcus Crowley, Running Back. Yes, that’s not a typo. We’re going deep in the barrel with this one. With the starters most likely out by the start of the second half, Marcus Crowley will get a nice workload as we get a glimpse of the future in Columbus. Crowley averaged over 10 yards per carry against Maryland while picking up 82 yards and a touchdown. The true freshman running back will play the role of Master Teague next year when Teague will most likely be the feature back assuming a Dobbins departure to the NFL.
Zach Harrison, Defensive End. With Chase Young most likely out for at least one more game, it’s showtime again for the 5-star recruit out of Olentangy Orange High School just north of Columbus. Harrison has had a good amount of playing time this year and has racked up 2.5 sacks on the season. That doesn’t seem like a lot, until you realize how much talent is on that D-line and how much they are rotating the ends. Time to see what the future holds once Young takes his talents to the NFL.
Next … How it’ll all do down
The prediction
The end of the season can’t get here quick enough for Rutgers football. And it’s going to get worse before it gets better.
The Buckeyes walk into SHI Stadium, take care of business and come back to Columbus to start prepping for Penn State.
The game will be over quickly in terms of score, but it’s going to be a real long day for the Scarlet Knights.
Final Score
Ohio State 63 , Rutgers 0
Line
Ohio State -50.5
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