Ohio State, and a chorus of backup wide receivers, defeated Rutgers 42-9. The Buckeyes offense leaned on the ground game en route to a dominant, yet sort of ugly victory.
As the game was in hand by the third
quarter, thoughts of the Saturday after Thanksgiving became palpable. Here are three things to know about Ohio State’s win over Rutgers, as well as three things to know about Ohio State’s upcoming game against Michigan.
1. Rushing Attack
Led by Bo Jackson, Ohio State ran the ball 38 times for 254 yards and four touchdowns. Jackson himself had 110 yards and two touchdowns. Isaiah West took eight carries for 48 yards. James Peoples, despite only three carries, had an impressive 49 yard scamper for a touchdown.
Lincoln Kienholz got in the action as well, picking up 37 rushing yards of his own.
All in all, a very impressive day on the ground for Ohio State.
2. Curry & Co.
Caden Curry had himself a brilliant senior day, as did the rest of the Ohio State defensive line. Curry had two sacks, including a strip sack that he recovered himself.
The defense brought pressure all day, totaling four sacks and six tackles for loss. Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis was only able to complete 10 passes for 81 yards.
Rutgers was held to just 147 total yards on the day.
3. Max Klare
In the notable absence of Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin found himself a new favorite target: Max Klare. On a day where Sayin only had 13 completions, seven of them went to Klare.
On the day, Klare had seven catches for 105 yards and one touchdown.
The next leading receiver? Just as we all suspected: David Adolph, reeling in two receptions for 23 yards.
Rivalry Week
The second the clock hit zero on Saturday, all focus shifted to Michigan. 365 days a year both Ohio State and Michigan fans think, breathe and live this game.
Despite being the reigning national champions, Ohio State has a significant monkey on its back. Ohio State has not beaten Michigan since 2019. The Justin Fields-led Buckeyes were the last Ohio State team to defeat Michigan.
To myself and plenty others, that feels like an eternity ago.
To even the most casual observer, it is clear that Ryan Day has a Michigan problem. The No. 1 ranking next to the Buckeyes’ name may as well be thrown out the window.
As we all look ahead to Saturday, here are three things to know…
1. Injuries, injuries, and more injuries
Both sidelines will be affected by injury come Saturday.
Michigan, historically and contemporarily a run-heavy team, will be without star running back Justice Haynes. Haynes’ backup, Jordan Marshall (an Ohio native), is also questionable, but likely to play, heading into the game.
As for the Buckeyes, all eyes will be on the status of Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Without Smith and Tate, this Buckeyes offense has simply not been the same. The status of both of the Buckeye star receivers is up in the air as Ohio State is notoriously secretive when it comes to injuries.
2. What’s at stake?
For Ohio State, more than just bragging rights over a bitter rival are at stake.
A win for the Buckeyes would send them to Indianapolis and the Big Ten Championship for the first time since 2020. Beyond that, an Ohio State win would almost assuredly lock up a first-round bye in the college football playoff.
As for Michigan, a win would unlock a path not just to the Big Ten Championship, but also to the College Football Playoff. The Wolverines currently sit just outside of the top 12, and a win over Ohio State would almost certainly put them in the playoffs.
Michigan’s Big Ten title hopes require a win over Ohio State and a Washington win over Oregon.
3. Ryan Day
The run that Coach Day went on last December and January is one of the most historic and impressive runs in the history of college football. Day brought a national championship back to Columbus. To those outside the Ohio State fanbase, such an achievement should surely buy Day a lifetime contract.
But for us Buckeye fans, the embarrassment and disgust of losing to Michigan four times in a row is still a cloud hanging over Day’s head. A 1-4 record against Michigan is not acceptable. Day knows that, the whole world knows it.
Come Saturday, Day has a chance to right the ship. A chance to simultaneously send Ohio State to Indianapolis and end Michigan’s playoff hopes.
THE GAME.
