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Friday, September 30, 2016

Rutgers 2016 Season Game 5: Ohio State

                                                                                                        (AP Photo)

WHO: Rutgers (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) at No. 2 Ohio State (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten)

WHEN: Saturday at noon ET

WHERE: Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio; Big Ten Network (TV); WCTC 1450-AM, WEPN 98.7-FM, WENJ 97.3-FM, WNJE 920-AM (Radio)

COACHES: Rutgers: Chris Ash (first season, 2-2); Ohio State: Urban Meyer (fifth season, 53-4)

SERIES: Ohio State blew out Rutgers in both previous meetings in 2014 (56-17) and 2015 (49-7).

LAST WEEK: Rutgers lost at home to Iowa, 14-7. Ohio State had its bye week.

RUTGERS WINS IF: The Scarlet Knights' defense plays stiffs in the red zone and generates multiple turnovers in Buckeyes territory. Rutgers is averaging only one forced turnover per game and has accumulated only three points off turnovers. But the pass defense and tackling have improved each week. Fifth-year linemen Darius Hamilton and Julian Pinnix-Odrick will need to go bonkers and provide QB Chris Laviano's troops a hefty supply of life support.

OHIO STATE WINS IF: The Buckeyes' rushing attack dictates the afternoon. Junior J.T. Barrett is a full-fledged wizard these days operating Ohio State's zone read. He and running backs Mike Weber and Curtis Samuel torched Oklahoma for 291 rushing yards two weeks ago. Albeit in nonconference action, Ohio State far and away leads the Big Ten with 306 rushing yards per game. The Homecoming formula is simple.

EXTRA POINTS: Rutgers hasn't defeated a ranked opponent since 2009 at No. 23/24 USF. It lost to then-No. 14 Washington in the season opener. ... Rutgers' Chris Ash is the 14th former assistant of Urban Meyer to become a head coach. Meyer is 6-1 against such coaches. ... Ohio State gained a school-record 776 yards in its season opener against Bowling Green. ... First-year Buckeyes defensive coordinator Greg Schiano compiled a 68-67 record with five bowl victories at Rutgers' helm from 2001-11.

PREDICTION: Ohio State 38, Rutgers 10


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