Ohio State from a Rutgers slant
What Dyer Says:
“A week ago, Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano talked about this past Saturday’s game at No. 14 Michigan as being a chance to see how his program stacked up. Turns out they stacked up pretty well, especially in the second half.
“That 20-13 loss at the Wolverines showcased a Scarlet Knights team that very easily could have won in Ann Arbor. On paper, Rutgers was the heavy underdog despite their 3-0 start to the season. Michigan had superior personnel and was at home. But Rutgers has an identity-forming under Schiano and in many ways have taken on the identity of their head coach.
“Saturday against an Ohio State program that has owned the Big Ten for the better part of the past decade is more than just another measuring stick for Rutgers. In fact, it is a chance to show that they belong in a conference that Schiano says is the best in college football.
“Rutgers has a strong defense, despite the recent suspension of freshman cornerback Max Melton, who was emerging as a true talent in the secondary. They also did a solid job in the second half against Michigan, limited the Wolverines to 44 yards and just two first downs.
“In nearly every regard, Rutgers is behind Ohio State as a program. But this isn’t the Scarlet Knights program from a few years ago. Not the one that was a laughingstock around college football.
“This isn’t the butt of the joke. In fact, Rutgers is hoping to start having the last laugh pretty soon.
“Recruiting has improved dramatically over the past year with Schiano able to point to a 3-6 record in the Big Ten last year as evidence of growth. There is potential as seen in the 2014 season – the first for Rutgers in the Big Ten – where they were 8-5, had three Big Ten wins, and beat North Carolina in a bowl game. Rutgers can and should be able to win conference games and consistently get into bowl games. The recruiting and resources are now finally there.
“And now, it is up to Rutgers to start building on games like last Saturday and the one they will play this weekend.
“This game, for many Rutgers fans, is about perspective but also belonging. The days of 78-0 losses at home seem to be over. While Rutgers is lacking a signature win under Schiano in his second year back with the program, there is a sense of direction and mobility that has been lacking since…well…when he left the first time.
“This is the most vulnerable Ohio State has been since 2014 and Rutgers, if it can perform well along the line, limit turnovers and create a little bit of fortune, can make this an interesting game. They can show that they have belonged all along, it just took a little bit longer to get there.”
If you like this opposition look, see what we provided Rutgers Wire on what Buckeye Nation thinks of the Scarlet Knights program and the upcoming matchup Saturday.
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