Being the Buckeye beat’s black sheep blog, we here at Land-Grant Holy Land like to pat ourselves on the back. So, throughout the season, members of our staff will be making predictions about that day’s
game. They will go on the record with what they think the final score will be, who the game’s MVP will be, and what the major storyline will be coming out of the day.
This afternoon, at 12 noon ET, the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-0) will conclude the home portion of their regular season as they host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (5-5). As of the writing of this article, the Buckeyes are 32.5-point favorites, with the total points mark set at 54.5 points. So that means that the Vegas oddsmakers see the game as finishing somewhere in the ballpark of 44-10 in favor of OSU.
Check out what our staff members think and then let us know your thoughts on the game in the comments below. As we move forward with the season, you will be able to keep up with just how well our prognosticators do on a weekly basis HERE.
Joey Gertz
Score Prediction: Ohio State 31, Rutgers 7
Game MVP: Bo Jackson will be the game’s MVP as he rushes for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
Major Storyline: Just. Beat. Michigan.
Justin Golba
Score Prediction: Ohio State 45, Rutgers 14
Game MVP: Since I think Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate will either not play or be on a snap count, this will be the Max Klare game.
Major Storyline: With the two top receivers limited, Klare will have two touchdowns.
Connor Lemons
Score Prediction: Ohio State 49, Rutgers 7
Game MVP: Why not Mylan Graham? Assuming Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate both sit, Graham would become, at worst, the second or third option for quarterback Julian Sayin. Ohio State is still going to sling the ball around, and someone else has to catch it. Look for 90 yards and a touchdown for the sophomore.
Major Storyline: Beating Michigan is all that matters.
Brett Ludwiczak
Score Prediction: Ohio State 38, Rutgers 0
Game MVP: With Ohio State’s top two receivers battling injury, the Buckeyes look to the ground. Bo Jackson rushes for two touchdowns in another big Buckeye win.
Major Storyline: Ohio State handles its business with ease, not showing any ill effects from some injuries to key players. Now the only thing standing in their way of an undefeated regular season is a trip to Ann Arbor.
Gene Ross
Score Prediction: Ohio State 38, Rutgers 13
Game MVP: I’m going with Bo Jackson. Without Jeremiah Smith or Carnell Tate, Ohio State looks to run the ball a ton against a very bad Rutgers rushing defense, and Jackson puts up his first career 200-yard game.
Major Storyline: The injury status of Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate remains unclear heading into the Michigan game, but Julian Sayin looks much better this week, throwing the ball to Inniss/Graham/Rodgers/Porter.
Matt Tamanini
Score Prediction: Ohio State 38, Rutgers 13
Game MVP: Ryan Day will be the MVP as he gets starters out early before anyone else can get hurt, before heading to Ann Arbor.
Major Storyline: This game will likely be sleepy, a little boring, and remarkably fast, considering that it is being broadcast on Fox. With Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith likely out of the lineup, Ryan Day and Brian Hartline are going to slow things down and keep the ball on the ground against the third-worst rush defense in the Power 4 conferences. Expect to see all four OSU running backs get a considerable amount of carries and yardage.
Ryan Weckstein
Score Prediction: Ohio State 37, Rutgers 7
Game MVP: Kaden McDonald will be the main disruptor on this Ohio State defensive front. His 6 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 pressures will earn the big man huge praise as he continues to rise up draft boards.
Major Storyline:
