Record
Ohio State (2-0), Rutgers (1-1)
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: Saturday, November 7
Game Time: 7:30 pm EST
Network: Big Ten Network
Venue: Ohio Stadium – Capacity – 104,944 (no fans permitted due to COVID-19 restrictions)
All-Time Series: Ohio State leads 6-0
Last Meeting: Ohio State defeated Rutgers 56-21 in 2019
Ohio State went into Happy Valley and took care of the Nittany Lions in a prime time showdown. Unlike the Nebraska game, the Buckeyes looked sharp from the beginning, cementing themselves in the top tier of the college football conversation with Alabama and Clemson.
On to week three with no room for error and a matchup with a better than expected Rutgers team. Everyone kind of laughed it off in week one when the Scarlet Knights knocked off Michigan State. But then the Spartans proceeded to take down a resurgent Michigan team and maybe Rutgers is better than what we’re used to?
Welcome back to the ‘Shoe, Greg Schiano. Time to see what you’re made of.
Next … The game plan
Ohio State game plan for victory
Boy oh boy, did Ohio State look like a well-oiled machine on Saturday night. Some questions arose about the offensive and defensive lines after a mediocre performance against Nebraska. Those questions were answered emphatically Saturday at Beaver Stadium.
The D-line was in quarterback Sean Clifford’s face the entire night. Clifford didn’t have much time to do anything. Even when he tried to use his legs and scramble, he was bottled up by outstanding linebacker play.
On the offensive side of the ball, the offensive line opened up some holes and the running game looked much better. Master Teague rushed for over 100 yards and Fields didn’t have to run much at all. The protection gave Fields all the time he needed to pick apart the Penn State secondary.
Just because we think Rutgers is improved doesn’t mean we think that Ohio State has anything to worry about. In their win over Sparty, the Scarlet Knights benefited from seven turnovers. Seven! That’s more an indictment on Michigan State than it is the Rutgers defense. Even if the Buckeyes turn the ball over seven times, I still think they win by two touchdowns.
If the Buckeyes play half as well as they did against Penn State, this game should be a cakewalk.
Next … The key players for Ohio State
Two Key Players For Ohio State
Chris Olave – Wide Receiver. It was unclear if Chris Olave would play against Penn State after leaving the game a week earlier with a head injury. He cleared concussion protocol and suited up and had a whale of a game. Olave hauled in two highlight-reel touchdowns and went for well over 100 yards. Fields to Olave is becoming a scary prospect for opposing defenses.
CHRIS. OLAVE. 😍 pic.twitter.com/ZVhbrsy0Oh
— Barstool OSU (@BarstoolOSU) November 1, 2020
Tommy Togiai – Defensive Line: The defensive line caused disruptions in the Penn State backfield all night long and Tommy Togiai led the way. Togiai racked up 7 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 QB hurries, earning him Big Ten defensive player of the week. It was a breakout game for Togiai and he’ll look to reak more havoc against Rutgers this Saturday night.
3️⃣ sacks from an interior D-lineman is a pretty BIG-time outing ‼️
Congrats to @Big_Tom72 for taking home @bigten Defensive Player of the Week honors 💪 #GoBuckeyes #Fight pic.twitter.com/RHfwWfJz8S
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 2, 2020
Next … How it’ll all do down
The prediction
Ohio State showed the college football world what they are dealing with this past Saturday. The Buckeyes dominated Penn State in every facet of the game. The scary part? This Buckeye team hasn’t even played its best game yet.
Rutgers comes to town and Greg Schiano has already started changing the culture in Piscataway. But the Scarlet Knights are not yet ready to compete with the likes of a juggernaut like Ohio State just yet.
This one is going to get ugly real fast as the Buckeyes cruise to an easy victory.
Final Score
Ohio State 64, Rutgers 10
Line
Ohio State – Coming …
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