First of all there’s this (just
because).
Ok, on to Rutgers. I wish I could get excited for this
game, but alas, no. With J.T. Barrett back at the helm, I’m just
too optimistic. Plus, there’s no history with Rutgers other than last year’s game.
In case you don’t have time, here’s a summary of what J.T. and the offense did
with its first few possessions: TD, TD, TD, Punt, (defensive TD),
TD, halftime, TD, TD, and TD. It was 49-7 midway through the
3rd quarter, backup QB Cardale Jones was playing, and after having
watched the OSUMB’s awesome “Classic Rock” halftime
performance, you had seen enough.
So, why would you expect anything different this year now
that Urban has finally made the choice that so many of us thought should’ve
been made on Labor Day? Especially since with JT running the show, Ohio State
covered the spread for the first time since Va. Tech? And when factoring
in that Rutgers is 1-9 v. ranked opponents and Meyer is 13-0 in B1G road
games?
Well, did you know that in 7 of those 13 B1G road wins, the
Buckeyes have won by a TD or less (including Indiana this year)? So, we
have a tendency to keep teams in the game. And Rutgers gave Michigan
State all Sparty could handle in High Point Solutions Stadium (yes, that’s its
name) only two weeks ago. And Rutgers has a decent offense?
Okay – that’s all I got.
Look, with JT running the offense, the Buckeyes will be back
scoring 50+ per game. Zeke and JT will both rush for 100+ yards,
and with all that running, eventually some pass plays are going to open
up. Rutgers is pretty decent against the rush but they will need to
commit their safeties to try and stop both 15 and 16, and that will open up
Miller, Marshall, and Thomas for big plays. Rutgers will have some big
plays against our defense because that’s what we do. But unlike
Schutt’s wrist, we won’t break. And,
if Rutgers is without its star WR Leonte Carroo, well then, it will be a
slaughter worse than 2014. Oh, and in case you were wondering, Sophomore
QB Chris Laviano is more like PSU’s Christian Hackenberg than IU’s Zach Diamont
or Maryland’s Perry Hills.
The Buckeyes are once again the 8:00 p.m. ET ABC national
game with Chris, Kirk, and Heather. Why? Because this week’s slate
of CFB games is pretty poor for tantalizing matchups. Plus, Piscataway is
a de facto suburb of NYC, so ABC wants to draw in that crowd, and Ohio State
always draws viewers. Basically, more money will flow here than from Iowa
State-Baylor, West Va.- TCU, or Clemson-Miami.
Vegas has the Buckeyes a 21 point favorite and the line
hasn’t moved much since it opened. The sharks probably figured Urban was
going with JT, but failed to factor in his effect over a full 60 minutes.
After 5 consecutive ATS losses, that’s understandable. (There is no
over/under posted yet which is odd). If Carroo were healthy, then I might
consider taking the points. However, he’s not and I think his
effectiveness will be limited. Laviano won’t kill us with his feet, and
our Nationally ranked No. 4 pass efficiency D should be solid. I think
the offense continues its roll from the end of last week and posts a big
number. Take the Buckeyes and give the points (and go the over if
60 or less):
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