Ohio State cruised against Rutgers, 42-9, without standout WRs Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. But how concerning was their absence?

Julian Sayin threw two touchdown passes despite missing his top two playmakers, Bo Jackson rushed for 110 yards and a pair of scores and top-ranked Ohio State pulled away in the second half for a 42-9 victory over Rutgers.

Rutgers was on pace for another stop on its fourth drive, with safety Kaj Sanders breaking up a pass on 4th-and-2 to force a turnover on downs. But an inexcusable roughing the passer penalty on Weaver gave Ohio State a fresh set of downs in the red zone, leading to its second touchdown two plays later.

The dress rehearsal ended with Ohio State's 42-9 win against outmatched Rutgers. Now comes the actual show −Michigan. Will Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate be healthy enough to play against the Wolverines? Both sat out against the Scarlet Knights. Will OSU try to run the ball down UM's throat (Buckeye Nation says "They better not!").

Freshman running back shines as the No. 1 Buckeyes take down the Scarlet Knights on Senior Day despite missing key pieces.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are the reigning national champions. They are undefeated through 11 games in their title defense. They have been the No. 1 team in college football since Week 2 of the season.

Ohio State running back Bo Jackson surpasses Auburn and NFL icon’s freshman rushing mark originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Ohio State doesn’t actually have anything to prove. It’s the reigning national champion, and last season proved that what happens at the end of November is no longer the death sentence it was previously. But that 13-10 loss is still a stain on what was otherwise a magical season.