For the third straight week, we head into a game where Ohio State should dominate yet there are plenty of questions surrounding the Buckeye football program.
For starters, the passing game on both sides of the ball appears to still have kinks to work out. Questions concerning Ohio State's wide receivers and cornerbacks continue to circulate.
With the Buckeyes traveling to Piscataway, N.J. for just the second time ever, it's time to answer your questions and concerns ahead of the "primetime" matchup between Ohio State and Rutgers.
Do you think the offense will continue to focus on the passing game much like they did last week vs UNLV? - Jonbucks1
Yes, I do. The next two weeks will be focused on the passing game against Rutgers and again against Maryland. While these teams are overmatched on paper, both are led by former Urban Meyer defensive assistants and will put together solid game plans.
Against Rutgers specifically, I expect Ohio State to show more of the run-pass option we saw against Army but mix in some deep balls with it. I think the Buckeyes have to give the Penn States and Michigans of the world something to think about in the downfield passing game, because if they can't hit one soon, it will make them much easier to prepare for as the season goes on. I think the passing game is the focus for the next two weeks.
How long is Ash's leash? Are the boosters upset or do they understand Rome wasn't built in a day? - Sharks
First of all, I don't think anyone, including the boosters, expects Rutgers to become Rome in the college football landscape. However, I think it is reasonable for them to expect, or at least hope for, seven-, eight- or even nine-win seasons every now and then. It's been done before, as we saw when Greg Schiano was at the helm.
I think Ash has a pretty long leash, because Rutgers has to know they aren't going to be able to do much better than Ash at this point in time. The Scarlet Knights' defense has continued to improve, but the offense is still lagging. If the Scarlet Knights can get things moving on the offensive end, I think they can become a bowl-eligible team because Ash will get them playing solid defense. That said, Rutgers has to be patient because Ash really has to build that program from the ground up.
Assuming Mike Weber is fully healthy, who gets more snaps: Weber or J.K. Dobbins? - TheDizzle
This is a great question for a couple reasons. While Dobbins has proven to be Ohio State's best option right now, it is clear that the Buckeyes will need both once Big Ten play really ramps up. A season ago, Weber visibly wore down at the end of the year as he was the lone running back getting meaningful reps.
Weber has played in just two games thus far, and has yet to get into a rhythm with the first-team offense. This would be a good week to do it, but I thought last week would have been an even better opportunity. My official prediction is that Dobbins will get more carries, but if it were me calling the shots, I would get Weber in the game more if he is truly healthy. If Weber is not back up to speed by the Nebraska game and getting close to even reps with Dobbins by then, I think he begins to fade out of Ohio State's plans offensively.
Does C.J. Saunders get a chance to make an impact in the Big Ten portion of the schedule or was UNLV a perfect storm for him and playing time? - SoulPatrol32
UNLV was the perfect storm for Saunders, and I really don't see him getting meaningful reps this season. If he were playing at Clemson or in a similar offense where he is primarily asked to just catch passes, it's a different story. However, Ohio State's offense is predicated - especially in recent weeks - on getting the ball to Parris Campbell and K.J. Hill in space and letting them make plays. In order to do that, they need blocking in front of them, and Saunders is too small at this point to handle Big Ten corners on the edge in terms of blocking.
All of that said, there is no denying that Saunders is a good route runner who has some shiftiness to his game. If he can get bigger by next season, I think he is a candidate to earn a scholarship and maybe some playing time with the first-team offense. You can't just put him in on pass plays, as it would tip the defense to your play call. This year isn't his year, but don't count him out for 2018.
Is this the most underwhelming night game for OSU you can remember? - Estbuckeye74
The only others that stand out in my mind are the 2010 season opener on Thursday night against Marshall, 2014 at home against Illinois and 2015 at Rutgers. Other than that, this one is right up there. At the end of the day, it's all about one thing: $$$
What is your assessment of Ash as a head coach? In his second year, did you expect more, or is he right about where you thought he would be? - RunEddieRun1983
He is right about where I expected him to be. I was encouraged with the Scarlet Knights' performance against Washington, only for them to lose a week later at home to a bad Eastern Michigan team. Defensively, they are improved. Offensively, this team needs work.
As I mentioned above, I think Ash has a pretty long leash with the Rutgers athletic administration. It's going to take some time to fix the damage Kyle Flood did to that program. If Ash can win seven games in a season or two, Rutgers will throw a parade in his honor. OK, maybe not a parade, but maybe some more hot tubs in the stands during games.
OSU still announces 6 starting WR's; however, over the past two weeks, Campbell and K.J. Hill have appeared to be J.T.'s favorite targets due to their YAC ability. Who do you see, if any, establishing into the 3rd guy? - JTFor President2016
I have been a huge Binjimen Victor guy since the spring, but Austin Mack is a guy who has really stood out to me through the first third of the season. His catch against Oklahoma, while ultimately meaningless, was impressive and was the first time in a long time I remember a receiver at Ohio State going up and making a play for his quarterback. I think he starts to emerge in the next few weeks as Ohio State's most true wide receiver, while Hill and Campbell are more H-back types.
As for Victor, there is no way he should come off the field anytime Ohio State is inside the red zone. He is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses near the goal line because of his height and ability to go up and high-point a football. His two touchdown catches this season have both come on jump balls in the end zone. I am baffled anytime Ohio State doesn't have him on the field inside the 20-yard line. Even if you don't throw to him, the defense has to at least honor his ability to go up and get a ball.
Which freshman receiver do you see as coming along the best so far? Trevon Grimes, Jaylen Harris or Ellijah Gardiner? - Aphilly02
Of these three, Grimes is the most advanced, followed by Harris with Gardiner in third. Both Grimes and Harris have played this season, and I think one of the two will continue to find time with the first-team offense, especially near the red zone because of their size.
Gardiner has potential, but is very raw and doesn't appear to have the strength yet to play. I think he will redshirt this season and compete for a job next season.
What has Thayer Munford done to see the field while his more highly touted classmates Josh Myers and Wyatt Davis have not? - Rotsbu
Munford plays tackle, while Myers and Davis play guard. That factors in because Ohio State's depth at tackle is not nearly as good as it is at the guard position.
The Buckeyes have had some misses with offensive tackles in the recruiting process, and Munford impressed the coaches during fall camp. Myers played in a wishbone offense in high school, and was rarely asked to pass block, so he is still raw in that regard. I imagine he will redshirt this season. Davis appears to be slightly more advanced, but is still behind the likes of Malcolm Pridgeon and Matt Burrell on the depth chart.
Will we see some shots deep downfield? The staff placed so much emphasis on deep balls throughout the off season, yet we have not seen it come to fruition. - GlassCityBuckeyes
I think they have to, and I think they hit one Saturday. Rutgers is without its best corner in Blessuan Austin, who suffered a season-ending injury in a loss to Nebraska last week. Someone needs to step up for Ohio State and win a one-on-one matchup downfield in this game, and this week provides the Buckeyes with the perfect opportunity.
The only way we don't see Ohio State take some shots downfield is if Rutgers sits in a zone defense and doesn't press the Buckeye receivers. If that happens, expect Ohio State to run plenty of RPOs and simply nickel-and-dime the Rutgers defense down the field. It might not always look flashy, but it gets the job done and moves the chains.
Does the Rutgers cannon crew get a chance to fire the cannon? - Icouldnotgofor3
Yes, but not much. I have Ohio State winning 45-10 in this one. Rutgers has improved enough on offense that they will score once or twice, but it won't be nearly enough to be competitive.
