We meet again, Rutgers. For the LAST time. In 2022, anyway. If you're a fan of drama, the stakes don't get higher than this. A rematch, on short rest, against a team that bludgeoned Ohio State in their previous meeting. All for the chance to go to the national tournament. Saddle up, it's going to be quite a ride tonight.
Personnel-wise, the names are the same to watch out for as last time out. Offensive guys to watch: Ross Scott (#5), Mitch Bartolo (#4), Brian Cameron (#11), Ronan Jacoby (#8), and Shane Knobloch (#27).
Defensive players to look for: Bobby Russo (#88), Jaryd Jean-Felix (#81), Bryant Boswell (#90). Goalie Colin Kirst (#23).
The much more interesting part of tbis game is going to be the recent storylines. Rutgers really, really struggled following its dominant victory over Ohio State. The Scarlet Knights got blasted by Maryland (who hasn't?), and scraped by TTUN, then Penn State. Both victories were by a single goal, and both games were exceedingly close. Penn State had multiple chances to win, while the Wolverines mounted a furious 4th quarter rally to make Rutgers sweat it out.
Rutgers was exceedingly poor in the faceoff game after beating Ohio State. The Scarlet Knights only won that battle once, against Penn State. That is where this game will be determined. The Buckeyes went 12-28 in the last matchup, which led to the demolition we all saw. If that happens again, it will be a similar score.
If Ohio State can somehow win that battle, then it's a whole new world of possibilities. That's a big if, however. The Buckeyes have been slogging through their Big Ten schedule, looking pretty fatigued late in games. Ohio State's will play its third game in 12 days, after consecutive rivalry wins over the Wolverines.
Rutgers has had a long layoff, with plenty of opportunities to practice, sharpen their edge, and shore up vulnerabilities. The Buckeyes are going to need to be much sharper on the wings for faceoffs, and in the defensive midfield, to have a hope of changing the outcome from earlier in the season.
Much has been made of the "NASCAR offense", but that's a small piece of the puzzle. Jack Myers struggled terribly in the first matchup, scoring zero goals and managing just two assista. If he cannot breakthrough again, this game will be a long one for the Buckeyes.
That defensive clampdown puts more pressure on the supporting cast for Ohio State, which we know is subpar at best. The team is at its best playing behind the net, where the math, and Myers' skillset, open up shooters like Jackson Reid and Colby Smith. If someone else has to dodge, the Buckeyes are in deep trouble.
That said, this game is a lot more of a tossup in my mind than the previous matchup would lead you to believe. Rutgers has been poor, very poor, for three games. The Terps stomped them, the next two games were decided by one goal very late. The momentum is on Ohio State's side. The matchups, however, favor Rutgers.
This is going to be a big, big game, against a top 5 opponent, on a neutral field. At night. A win guarantees a national tournament berth. A loss probably means the Buckeyes miss out. Again. With everything on the line, let's go big.
Final prediction: Ohio State 13, Rutgers 12.
Let's ride Big Mo, baby!
Go Bucks!
