It can be tough at times for good teams to get up juiced up for games against incredibly overmatched opponents. Usually when a team experiences any sort of let down against subpar competition, it is reflected in a close score when everything is said and done. However, when you're as good as Ohio State, even when the hype clearly isn’t there, it still results in a 35-point win.
The Buckeyes went into Piscataway, NJ and defeated Rutgers 56-21. The Scarlet Knights, to their own credit, played with a phenomenal level of effort from start to finish. Unfortunately for them, the level of talent on the field just could not matchup with the likes of Ohio State, who throughouly dominated even while seemingly sleepwalking throughout most of the afternoon.
For the second week in a row, we did not get the pleasure of watching the starters for a good portion of our Saturday with the game firmly in hand at the half. That did not stop the Buckeye starters from putting up some big numbers on both sides of the ball as they got a chance at one last tuneup before a big matchup with Penn State next weekend.
Blue Chips
Justin Fields, QB: For the second-straight week, Ohio State’s sophomore transfer quarterback achieved blue chip status in the LGHL stock market. This time around, he put up his best statistical performance of the season despite playing just one drive in the second half. Fields made the most of his minutes, completing 15 of his 19 throws for a career-high 305 yards and four touchdowns, rushing for an additional 30 yards on three carries.
Fields looked completely locked in on Saturday as he carved up the Rutgers secondary with ease on almost every single drive. From the short throws to the deep ball, the first-year starter was on the money as he has been all season. On the year, Fields has scored 41 total touchdowns with his arm and his legs, all while only throwing one interception. The Buckeye signal caller is having a phenomenal first season in Columbus.
Shaun Wade, CB: The redshirt sophomore corner really set the tone of the game right out of the gate against the Scarlet Knights, intercepting Rutgers QB Johnny Langan on his very first throw of the afternoon. After popping the ball into the air with one hand, Wade was able to turn his body and coral it into his arms to come down with the acrobatic pick. He would come up big again on the next Rutgers possession, combining with Jeff Okudah to force a fumble as the two takeaways helped set up the first 14 Ohio State points.
Wade has been a part of a Buckeye secondary that has picked off 13 passes this season. As a whole, Ohio State totaled only 11 interceptions all last season, led by Wade’s three. The pick against the Scarlet Knights was his first of this season, a bigger testament to opponents’ fear of throwing his way rather than a downtick in production. On the year, Wade has also totaled three tackles for loss, two sacks and six pass breakups.
J.K. Dobbins, RB: It has been light work for Dobbins these past two weeks, combining for only 29 total carries between Maryland and Rutgers. While the load hasn’t been huge, the stats have not wavered, as Dobbins only needed 17 carries on Saturday to rumble for 89 yards and a pair of touchdowns. As always, the human wrecking ball was bouncing off defenders left and right as he provided consistent offense throughout his short time in the game.
I do not think it is much of an exaggeration at all to say that if Dobbins was playing full games this season, he would be a shoe-in for a trip to New York as a Heisman candidate. Through 10 games, the junior has now racked up 1,289 yards on 183 attempts — good for over seven yards per carry — with 15 total touchdowns. He has been putting on an absolute clinic running the ball, seemingly never going down on the first tackle and making his quarterback’s life much easier in helping sell the play-action pass and option-run game.
Solid Investments
Chris Olave, WR: What a meteoric rise to stardom its been for the sophomore wide receiver. After his much talked about breakout game against Michigan last season, Olave has been Ohio State’s most consistent receiver, and has quickly become a favorite target of Fields. It was more of the same for Olave against Rutgers, hauling in four catches for a whopping 139 yards including a circus-catch on a 58-yard reception on which the defender was called for pass interference.
Olave leads the team with 584 yards receiving this season, and is second in receptions behind only K.J. Hill. He also has a team-high nine touchdown receptions — three more than the next-highest receiver. Olave is an incredible route runner with extremely reliable hands. He has quickly become a hugely valuable asset to Fields, who seems to always be able to find Olave somewhere downfield even when a play seems to fall apart.
Malik Harrison, LB: Ohio State’s defense has been lights out all year, and a big part of that has been the resurgence at the linebacker position. The leader of that unit, senior Malik Harrison, has been front and center each and every game, making plays whenever he can. He was at it again on Saturday, tying for a team-high six tackles, with two tackles for loss and a pass breakup.
Harrison is a really special player, possessing crazy speed and athleticism for a guy who stands at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds. He leads the team on the year with 52 total tackles, also adding 12.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. His tackles for loss are second only to Chase Young (15.5), who is still on top in the category despite missing two games. Regardless, with both guys in the lineup moving forward, expect to see some Buckeyes in the backfield.
Junk Bonds
Letting Rutgers score: Listen, we all knew it was entirely possible that the Scarlet Knights would put up at least SOME points on Saturday, despite their Vegas team total set at a disrespectful over/under 3.5 points. However, it was a bit shocking to see Rutgers get on the board against Ohio State’s starting defense, aided by a muffed punt that started them deep in plus territory.
It has been nearly impossible to nitpick what the Buckeyes have done this season, playing almost flawlessly to this point. Obviously, the slightly uncharacteristic defensive performance can be attributed to a number of factors — lack of motivation against a subpar opponent, playing conservative to avoid injury, etc. As a whole, the starting D played well, and do not expect to see any unwarranted slip-ups moving forward.
Buy/Sell
(Buy) Linebacker depth: As previously discussed, the unit on Ohio State’s defense a season ago that was its biggest liability has become a big strength, thanks largely in part to Harrison and a big step forward by Pete Werner. However, the Buckeyes seem to be in good hands for the future as well, as a couple young OSU LBs got to strut their stuff in the blowout. K’Vaughan Pope recorded his second interception in as many games, while Teradja Mitchell displayed the hard-hitting he has become known for.
(Sell) Four-quarter games:
J.K. Dobbins, who's rarely played in the second half this season, was asked about Ohio State having four-quarter games against Penn State and Michigan coming up.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) November 17, 2019
He responded, "Why do they have to be four-quarter games?"
If J.K. Dobbins doesn’t expect any four-quarter games, then neither do I.
(Buy) An angry Chase Young: All the superstar defensive end wanted was for his girlfriend to see him play in the Rose Bowl. Over a year later, the loan he took to get her there has likely cost him a chance to be the first pure-defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy. Young is now well-rested, and incredibly angry. Pray for Penn State.