While Ohio State likely won’t look past Rutgers on Saturday afternoon in Columbus, the goal for the top-ranked Buckeyes is to have players healthy for the following week’s rivalry game at Michigan.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day didn’t exactly allay fears of the fan base on Tuesday at his press conference when he was non-committal about whether star wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate will be available for the Buckeyes (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten) against the Scarlet Knights (5-5, 2-5).
Due to undisclosed injuries, Tate has missed the past two games, and Smith sat out the second half of a 48-10 victory over UCLA last Saturday.
“Our policy’s that we just don’t discuss specifics on injuries, and then once you start going down a little bit here, a little bit there, you can create a problem,” Day said. “And so, for a number of reasons, we don’t discuss those things. We put out the report the day of the game, but I can tell you that they’re in great spirits. The medical staff is working hard. We’ll take it day to day and see how they come in each day, but they’re working hard to get back on the field.”
Smith and Tate on Monday were named semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the NCAA’s outstanding receiver. Smith has 69 receptions for 902 yards and 10 touchdowns; Tate has 39 catches for 711 yards and seven scores.
While Rutgers is more than a four-touchdown underdog and the Buckeyes are on a collision course to play No. 2 Indiana in the Big Ten title game on Dec. 6 in Indianapolis, Day is wary of a Rutgers team that needs one win in its final two games to become bowl eligible.
“They always put pressure on you in all three phases,” Day said. “It starts with special teams and then goes offense and defense. And you know, they always have a plan of how they want to attack you.”
The Scarlet Knights can present problems on offense, but the other side of the ball is a problem. Rutgers’ scoring defense is ranked 106th (30.0 points per game) nationally, and the total defense is 120th (425.5 yards per game).
Coach Greg Schiano has seen improvement in many areas as the season has progressed, and having a bye last weekend helped.
“I don’t know what that will amount to Saturday,” he said. “We’re going to find out. That’s why it’s such a great challenge and such a great opportunity. (The Buckeyes) have elite players at every position offensively and elite players at every position defensively.”
Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is coming off a four-touchdown passing performance on Nov. 8 in a 35-20 victory over Maryland, and running back Antwan Raymond ran 41 times for 240 yards and a score.
The Buckeyes, under first-year defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, lead the nation in scoring defense (7.5 points per game) and total defense (212.6 yards).
“Matt Patricia has done a magnificent job,” Schiano said. “You can see his fingerprints all over it. I’ve known Matt for a long time.
“It doesn’t surprise me one bit. They have a very good coaching staff that is coaching very good players very well. When you add all that up, it adds up to a very good defense.”
–Field Level Media
