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.

Will Ohio State star WRs Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate be healthy enough to play against Michigan? They both sat out vs. Rutgers.

Ohio State football hosted Rutgers and won in dominating fashion once again. Head coach Ryan Day met with the media after to react to the win.

On the second drive, a sack from defensive end Eric O’Neill on third-and-6 was negated by a holding penalty from cornerback Jacobie Henderson. On the next play, running back Bo Jackson runs it into the end zone from 15 yards out for his first touchdown.

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!").

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.

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.