Who has the Edge on offense?
Quarterback
Ohio State: J.T. Barrett has exceeded almost everyone's expectations this season by completing passes at a rate of 66% while throwing for 1,354 yards and 17 touchdowns. The Texan Gunslinger has thrown for 220 yards in every game this season and has completed 70% of his passes in every game but one. If Barrett stays on his current pace, he will end the season with 3,200 passing yards and 45 total touchdowns which the later would be a school record.
Rutgers: Gary Nova is having a breakout season himself. Nova has completed 62% of his passes for 1,601 yards and 13 touchdowns, which 404 of his yards came against Michigan last week. Nova has had two games with zero touchdowns and threw five interceptions against a Penn State defense who only has two other interceptions this year.
EDGE: Ohio State
Running Backs
Ohio State: If there is one team in the country who can say they have a balanced rushing attack, it's Ohio State who is 18th in the country with 250 yards per game. Eleven different players have carried the ball this season which eight having a carry more than 10 yards, four having scored a touchdown and three having more than 100 yards. As a team the Buckeyes have rushed for over 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. Led by Ezekiel Elliott who is averaging almost six yards a carry, Ohio State has a deep stable of running backs who can wear down a defense.
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knight's rushing attack as been average, not great so far this year. Rutger's ground game is averaging 160 yards per game which ranks 75th in the country, led by a combination of Junior running back, Paul James (365 yards, 5 touchdowns) and Sophomore Desmon Peoples (326 yards, 0 touchdowns).
EDGE: Ohio State
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Ohio State: The 'Zone 6 Bomb Squad' had high expectations entering the season but with the injury to Braxton Miller, some of the expectations took a back seat. After a rough outing against Virginia Tech, the Buckeye Wideout's have taken off and have yet to land. With five players having over 100 yards and eight players with a touchdown, Ohio State fields an extremely balanced and dangerous air attack led by Mike Thomas and Devin Smith. Thomas and Smith who have almost identical stats with over 300 yards and 5 touchdowns bring different styles to a diverse offense.
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights field a balanced attack as well, led by Junior Leonte Carroo who has exploded so far this year, averaging 18 yards per catch for 560 yards and 5 touchdowns. Rutger's big play wide receiver is Senior Andrew Turzilli who is averaging 46 yards per catch and 3 touchdowns off of 6 catches. Rutgers has six players over 100 yards and four players with a touchdown.
The EDGE: Tie
Offensive Line
Ohio State: The Buckeye's offensive line entered the season as one of least experienced groups in the nation and throughout the first two games of the season, it showed when Meyer showed his disappointment in the unit during his weekly presser. Since the meeting with Virginia Tech, The OLine has shown great progress in both run blocking and pass protection. As a unit, the Buckeyes have given up 13 sacks this year.
Rutgers: Rutger's offensive line is much more experienced than the young Buckeyes' with having three seniors and a junior as starters. Nova has been sacked a total of eight times this season but five of the sacks coming against their two conference opponents, Penn State and Michigan.
EDGE: Tie
Offensive EDGE: Ohio State
This is an experiment, let me know what you all think to see if I should do this for every game. I would love suggestions. Thanks.
