Stephen Leonard
Writer
Columbus, OH – The trees are almost bare and the wind has a crisp chill, which can only mean one thing for those around The Ohio State University: The Game is near. Ryan Day was clear that the focus for the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten) is squarely on the Scarlet Knights as they host Rutgers (5-5, 2-5 Big Ten) on Saturday at noon in Ohio Stadium on Fox. The task at hand can easily be overshadowed by what comes next.
The Buckeyes opened as a 33.5-point favorite. They have a 96.9% chance of winning, according to ESPN’s matchup predictor. It’s hard to stay focused on Rutgers when the trip to Michigan is on the horizon. On paper, this Rutgers game is over before it begins. So how does Ryan Day engage the team and keep the focus right now, by looking even further ahead to the goal of reaching Indianapolis.
With November 29 in Ann Arbor, MI, on the back burner, Senior Day at the Shoe has all the ingredients for a quintessential “trap game”. Day has said repeatedly this season, it’s not about the next opponent, it’s about this team, and this mindset sets up perfectly to prepare the edge needed to achieve their goals. Indianapolis is not a given without winning out. The Buckeyes control their own destiny, and that starts Saturday, senior day at the Shoe.
Ohio State has an average point differential of 29.5 points per game. So far this year, they have given opponents no mercy. For Senior Day, expect the focus to be laser-sharp: secure an 11th straight win, clinch a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game, and provide another 29.5+ win for the seniors (plus juniors entering the NFL draft) last game in the Shoe.
Rutgers, on the other hand, is desperate for a spark. A signature victory against the Buckeyes wouldn’t fully salvage a middling season under Greg Schiano, but. Rutgers will be playing David Goliath, being squarely outmatched across the board.
Key players to watch in this game are the wide receivers as a whole. The health of Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate has created a buzz. In fact, their health was the first question Day was asked about today. The best WR duo in college football tends to have that effect. Together, they have combined for 108 receptions, 1613 yards, and 17 TDs. The concern is they will be healthy for Michigan; don’t expect to see them against Rutgers. Brandon Inniss, Bryson Rodgers, and the crew have to step up in their absence.
Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, a veteran behind center, has to show up. With a 32% completion percentage against AP Top 25 teams, Matt Patricia’s defense is going to thrive if he doesn’t. Schiano is known to cook up some gimmick plays to even the playing field, and Kaliakmanis will need all the help he can get.
Without even being mentioned, you could feel the Michigan game looming in the distance. Attention was ramped up in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. That’s not a good omen for Rutgers with the way this Buckeyes team has performed so far this season. It has taken care of business in every possible way, and I expect another business-like approach on Saturday. Ohio State owns a perfect 10-0 edge in the series with Rutgers, and that goose egg is likely to stay put. The Buckeyes cruise to a perfect 11-0 before heading up north on November 29th with all their goals firmly within reach.
Stephen Leonard
Writer
The Indiana Hoosiers say, as Drake says, “started from the bottom and now we’re here” in the Big Ten Championship Game. The only two remaining undefeated major college football teams face off under the lights of Lucas Oil Stadium. No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) and No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers (12-0, 9-0 […]
Cody Croy
Writer
Ohio State wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline has accepted the Head Coach position at the University Of South Florida. He is expected to remain with Ohio State through the postseason. A Canton native, Hartline played his entire collegiate football career with Ohio State from 2005-2008. He then went on to play in […]
The Buckeyes were well represented this week in the NFL as 3 former members of last season’s national championship roster each performed well enough to earn a nomination for the Rookie Of The Week. Lathan Ransom and the Carolina Panthers stunned the Los Angeles Rams in a 31-28 victory. Ransom, who made his first career […]
