Scarlet and Game
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Ohio State Football: Predicting second half of the season

By Alex Austin

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 01: Johnnie Dixon III of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball after a catch against the Northwestern Wildcats during the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 01: Johnnie Dixon III of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball after a catch against the Northwestern Wildcats during the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, IN – OCTOBER 12: Aaron Casey #46 of the Indiana Hoosiers sacks Johnny Langan #17 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the fourth quarter of the game at Memorial Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN – OCTOBER 12: Aaron Casey #46 of the Indiana Hoosiers sacks Johnny Langan #17 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the fourth quarter of the game at Memorial Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

November 16 – Rutgers

Reasons for Optimism: This is essentially a half-bye week for the Buckeye starters and another chance for the second, third, and fourth string players to get some in-game reps. Look for Justin Fields and the starters to be done by halftime and enjoy the game from the sideline.

Reasons for Concern: With all due respect to Rutgers, this is not a game Ohio State will lose. Losing their head coach, and starting quarterback and running back puts a struggling team in even bigger trouble. There is too big of a talent gap in all three phases of the game for Rutgers to pull off any kind of miracle.

Look for freshmen who are not eligible to redshirt to get ample playing time in this one. Ohio State will likely run a basic offense and defense – saving any wrinkles in the system for the final two weeks of the season.

Ohio State 59-Rutgers 3

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