There have already been some things written about Rutgers' offense here at 11W this week - so there's really no need to cover old ground in that regard. But for those who would like to take a look at the other side of the ball as well, here is some basic information on the Scarlet Knights' defense.
Rutgers (4-3, 1-2 B1G) is fresh off a thrilling come from behind victory vs Indiana. The good news for the Knights is that they were able to overcome a 25 point lead late in the game. The bad news is - they needed to do that after giving up four unanswered touchdowns to begin the second half. They were down 52-27 with 5:25 remaining in the third quarter.
The AP's Michael Marot* summed up the situation well:
The final numbers resembled something out of a video game.
Indiana and Rutgers combined for 1,223 yards in offense, 15 touchdowns and 43 plays of 10 or more yards. The 107 combined points were No. 2 all-time at Memorial Stadium.
Obviously, Rutgers doesn't look to be very strong defensively - this is particularly the case verses the pass. Running a base 4-3, they are ranked 105th nationally in total defense - giving up 447.3 total yards and 29.2 points per game (according to ncaa statistics**).
While the Scarlet Knights are ranked a respectable 30th nationally verses the run - giving up only 126.2 yards per game (Penn State was 26th, by the way) Against the pass, Rutgers is ranked 124th nationally - yielding 321.2 ypg.
To help put that in to some sort of perspective, the Buckeyes are ranked 19th nationally in total defense - giving up an average of 302.3 yards per game - and 16.3 points. OSU is 60th verses the run (158.7 ypg) and 4th nationally against the pass (143.6 ypg).
This should be a good test for JT Barrett in his first start of the season - as it appears it should be significantly tougher moving the ball on the ground than it will be through the air.
Additionally, Rutgers is almost certain to load the box much of the game (just like every team has so far this season) in an attempt to slow down the OSU running game while also pressuring the quarterback. Essentially, daring the Buckeyes to throw.
Over the last two weeks, the Ohio State offense has shown some signs of emerging from whatever funk they had been in for much of the first half of the season.
With two of the toughest defenses in the conference still remaining at the end of the schedule, the Buckeye's are scoring an average of more than seven points less per game this season (37.0 ppg) than they did in either of the previous two (45.5 in '13 & 44.8 in '14). They're averaging over 55 yards less per game in total offense as well.
This could be the game in which that much-anticipated offensive explosion finally takes place. Barrett should be able read the Rutgers defense well enough to capitalize on the risks they'll be taking by loading the box while having a rather suspect defensive backfield. Hopefully, the reduced game action he's seen so far this season hasn't adversely affected his accuracy too much, either.
Surely, there have been some key injuries at wide receiver - but Michael Thomas is still there at one spot - and Jalin Marshall at the other. Curtis Samuel has had valuable experience at the position as well. Braxton Miller now has seven games under his belt at H-back - and Nick Vannett is a solid, experienced tight end. The Slobs are playing well. There's really no good reason why Ohio State's passing game shouldn't be first rate.
Of course, as soon as the opposing defense is forced to "unload the box" more often, there's always Zeke - and now - JT, too -
Prediction: Ohio State - 52 Rutgers - 20
*http://www.collegefootball.ap.org/article/rutgers-uses-incredible-rally-shock-indiana-55-52
