Well, that went about as expected. Ohio State was a huge favorite going into the game with Rutgers, and it did not disappoint. It was an unusual game plan on offense: Miyan Williams and the running game took center stage.
When the victory bell rang, the Buckeyes had a 49-10 win and continued toward the lofty goals still on the table and achievable.
After every game, we like to reflect on what we just saw and pull out some main observations and points that we feel we think we learned. Here are the five things we think we learned from another impressive showing against Rutgers.
Onward and upward to the next one.
Miyan Williams just keeps getting better
Before the season, the narrative about running back Miyan Williams was you could do a lot worse as a backup to TreVeyon Henderson. Five games into the season, it’s not a stretch to ask if he’s the best option in the backfield and one of the best in the Big Ten.
Seriously.
Williams had a career day Saturday, rushing 21 times for 189 yards and five (yes, five) touchdowns. He tied the school record for touchdowns in a game and even ripped off a 70-yard score to showcase a little speed to go with his gritty running style.
Ohio State still needs TreVeyon Henderson, but, man, Williams is turning into quite the weapon.
What gives with Denzel Burke?
Something is off with cornerback Denzel Burke after a sensational freshman campaign. Time and time again, he appears to be the weak spot on the back end of the defense, and you have to wonder if his confidence is shaken at this point.
Clearly, there are more times he’s left on an island in the scheme and attacking style under Jim Knowles’ defense but he has the skill to be one of the best corners in the country. He gave up more 1 on 1 balls Saturday, and Ohio State needs him to play like he is capable down the road.
C.J. Stroud doesn't have to win games for this year's team
Don’t get me wrong here. Ohio State absolutely has to have C.J. Stroud be the star that he is when it comes to playing teams that will be playing for championship aspirations. But he doesn’t have to put the team on his shoulders and big arm like he did last season.
That’s because this year, OSU continues to show it’s a physical bunch that can push other teams around and get yardage the big boy way on the ground.
I doubt we see Day abandon the running game as quickly as he did at times last season and can now control the tempo in any way he wants on offense. It’s a nice luxury to know that you can pull out the howitzer only when you have to.
Rutgers still has a ways to go
Yes, I believe Rutgers is on the right path with Schiano running the show. But there’s still a long way to go to be anywhere near competing with Ohio State. It’s clear that the depth and talent need a serious upgrade before the Scarlet Knights can even think about beating teams like the Buckeyes.
Now, the recruiting has gotten better and is good for most teams, but not to the level that it needs to be. It’s an uphill battle to get to that caliber of play and we’ll have to see if Schiano can close the gap further.
Ryan Day is a passionate players' type of guy
There was one moment that I especially loved, and it was when Ryan Day stuck up for his player. It wasn’t any star player either, but the punter from down under, Jesse Mirco.
Rutgers gave a look that was most likely one that Ohio State players were told to look for and take advantage of if it presented itself. Mirco picked up on the Scarlet Knights pinching in and he took it for a first down on a fake punt with the score out of hand.
But then he was leveled out of bounds on a dirty hit from Rutgers return man Aron Cruickshank in what was surely a frustration play.
Day grew hot and began jawing with head Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano for the play, and I loved it. It’s why players love playing for Day, and it’s exactly what you would expect for a guy defending his guys.
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