Big Ten Power Rankings: Ohio State leaves no doubt they’re back
By Mark Rogers
Jim O’Connor-USA TODAY Sports
Rutgers’ near miss against Michigan State and remarkable comeback at Indiana mattered little in facing the nation’s No. 1 team.
Chris Laviano (10 for 20, 117 yards, interception) found Leonte Carroo (3 receptions, 55 yards) on the first couple drives and Paul James (10 carries, 56 yards) and Ronald Martin (6 carries 43 yards) found some running room early against the Buckeyes, but the offensive life didn’t last long. Rutgers was shutout until very late in a 49-7 rout.
The defense continues to get chewed up. Sure, giving up 528 yards to Ohio State can be tolerated. This unit is an equal opportunity defense though. Everybody moves the ball on this team. Rutgers ranks 96th in points given up per game (32), 112th in total yards (459 ypg) and a deplorable 124th against the pass (310.6 ypg).
Aside from the aforementioned Michigan State effort, Rutgers has now been outscored 187-27 in five other games vs OSU, MSU and Wisconsin. We are going to be waiting quite some time for this program to compete in the Big Ten East. Rutgers’ two week run vs MSU and Indiana may turn out to be the pinnacle for 2015. An unlikely 3-1 finish is needed to get to postseason play.[/power_ranking]
Next: Indiana