Rutgers vs. Ohio State scouting report, prediction for Scarlet Knights' battle vs. No. 1 Buckeyes
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Could Rutgers football catch a break against Ohio State?
It’s possible.
That’s because the statuses of Buckeyes star receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate are uncertain heading into the Scarlet Knights’ battle against Ohio State on Nov. 22 at Ohio Stadium (noon, FOX) in Columbus.
Buckeyes coach Ryan Day did not go into specifics when he addressed their situations on Nov. 18.
“We put out the report the day of the game, but I can tell you they’re in great spirits,” Day told reporters, according to ESPN. “The medical staff is working hard. We’ll take it day to day and see how they come in each day, but they’re working hard to get back on the field.”
Smith was listed on the availability report as questionable heading into the Buckeyes’ game against UCLA on Nov. 15 but ultimately started before missing the second half, while Tate has missed two straight games.
Tate this season has caught 39 passes for 711 yards with seven touchdowns, while Smith has hauled in 69 catches for 902 yards with 10 touchdowns.
Rutgers’ secondary has been inconsistent this season, so not having to deal with either Smith or Tate would be certainly help − although with Ohio State, the backups aren’t a whole lot easier.
Still, whether Rutgers catches a break remains to be seen.
Rutgers vs. Ohio State scouting report
Why Ohio State has an advantage: Well, for one thing, the Buckeyes are extremely talented. At every position. On both sides of the ball. In a game against the Scarlet Knights, they have advantages everywhere. They’re the defending champions and contenders again for a reason. But in this game their biggest advantage is their defense. The unit, led by former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, has been extremely stout all season. Opponents haven’t been able to solve it. Rutgers’ offense, undoubtedly, has been the strength of the team this season but the Buckeyes have the potential to completely neutralized by the country’s best defense.
Why Rutgers has an advantage: Let’s be honest, no one is expecting the Scarlet Knights to go to Columbus and pull off this upset. Which you could argue is their biggest advantage in this game. All the pressure to win is on Ohio State, which maybe, just maybe, is focusing more on the following week’s game against Michigan − otherwise known as The Game. Maybe Rutgers can go to the Horseshoe and catch the Buckeyes a little flat footed at the start, take advantage and build some early momentum. At the very least, that would help keep the Scarlet Knights competitive. Now, is that likely? Probably not. Again, Ohio State is loaded. The defense is for real. But playing without any real pressure is no question advantageous for Rutgers.
Rutgers vs. Ohio State prediction
Rutgers and Ohio State have played 10 times previously. The Scarlet Knights have never beaten the Buckeyes. And that won’t change this year, either. Ohio State is just too good, too talented and too dominant for Rutgers to be able to pull off what would be a massive upset, especially on the road. This is going to be a major challenge for the Scarlet Knights’ defense, which might have to limit two of the top wide receivers in the country in Smith and Tate if both are indeed available. Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin is completing 80.1 percent of his passes (he’s thrown for 25 touchdowns) and has the potential to pick apart a vulnerable defense. But an even bigger challenge for Rutgers will come offensively. The Buckeyes boast the nation’s best defense, giving up just 211.6 yards per game. Teams are averaging just 7.2 points against Ohio State. This is just a bad matchup for Rutgers the way things have gone this season. Score prediction: Ohio State 49, Rutgers 13
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers football vs. Ohio State prediction, scouting report, preview
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos