It was routine. Businesslike. Efficient. And exactly what we want to see at this point in the season. The top-ranked Buckeyes took care of business at home against Rutgers, cruised to 11-0, and set the table for the next chapter of the greatest rivalry on the planet. Can't ask for much more than that!

But how'd they get it done! Let's take a look at the Keys to Victory!

Second half offensive efficiency

Going into what some other people might consider another "trap game," this was probably the most reassuring part of today.

Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate were out again today with injuries (I honestly think they're being saved especially for next week). It unfortunately showed in the first half. The Buckeyes seemed sluggish offensively, and only led 14-3 at halftime.

But they kicked it in gear in the second half! Instead of letting Rutgers hang around later on in the game, Ohio State scored on four consecutive offensive series to pull away!

The next big Key to Victory helped the Buckeyes find their offensive footing in this game.

Stout running game

Every week Ryan Day, Ohio State OC Brian Hartline and the rest of the staff decide to run the ball more often, the bigger the grin on my face gets.

Yes, the game of football has come a long way since the legendary Woody Hayes roamed the sidelines. His philosophy? Run, run, and run some more. "Three yards and a cloud of dust."

But on days like today, he'd probably have a big grin on his face! Ohio State ran the rock 38 times for 254 yards (6.7 yards per carry) and found paydirt four times.

Bo Jackson led the Buckeyes on the ground with 110 yards on 19 carries to go along with a pair of touchdowns. The best thing I saw though, was Coach Day's willingness to trust Bo after an early fumble. Small things like that make a big impact.

Football is a brotherhood. The coaches have to trust their players to execute. The players have to trust that the coaches have their best interest in mind as a cohesive unit. And everyone on that team has to trust the guy next to them to do their job.

As a matter of fact, according to one of the Fox sideline reporters, Coach Day told Bo those three words. Do your job. He wasn't happy. He was short about it, and upset. But he didn't have to scream or yell. He simply let Bo know where he messed up, Bo got better, and took care of business!

But this last Key to Victory has been seemingly taking care of business all season long!

The Silver Bullets doing Silver Bullet things

I remember how excited I was about this defense under Jim Knowles. But when Matt Patricia got to work as the new defensive coordinator, I quickly realized this was a major upgrade.

This is basically an NFL-level defense when it comes to preparation and talent. And they're led by a guy who obsesses over every little detail.

I would like to think I'm a reasonably intelligent football fan. I've loved the game since I was five years old. I'm 34 years old now. But I've heard Matt Patricia interviewed on football podcasts, and even I can't keep up with him! Goodness! The way his football mind works is something to behold!

But obviously he doesn't just know the game inside and out. He knows how to effectively teach the young men he's in charge of to do their very best. He's got an embarrassment of riches on the defensive side of the ball, and he makes the most of it!

And today, his Buckeye defense turned in another strong performance, holding the Scarlet Knights to just 147 yards on offense (81 yards passing, 66 rushing).

And when the offense learns to operate efficiently without their biggest weapons, and the defense does its thing, that's a pretty solid recipe to grab the 11th win of the season!

But...

It's officially Michigan Week!

Hate Week. Rivalry Week. _ichigan Week. Hell Week. Whatever you want to call it, The game is almost here. In less than seven days' time, the Buckeyes will travel north to Ann Arbor, Michigan to take on their age-old, timeless archrivals, the Michigan Wolverines.

And for a guy like me who grew up during the John Cooper years, you would not believe how hungry I am to see Ohio State finally snap the four-game losing streak in this rivalry! I remember several Novembers in the 90s where I was one sad, upset little boy. I'd constantly ask Dad, "Pop, are we ever going to beat Michigan?" But growing up in the 2000s was a LOT more fun under Jim Tressel, and the high school and early college years under Urban Meyer were something else!

But apparently we're stuck in the mid to late 90s again. And it's not a fun place to be. Ohio State needs to figure out how to swing the rivalry back the other way. This has to stop. NOW.

Do you guys want to know what this rivalry looks like from a diehard Buckeye's perspective?

Picture some arrogant punk continually slapping your sister, mom or sweet old grandma in the face. You wouldn't sit by and put up with that. No. You'd barrel into them, make them see stars, and make sure they were eating lunch for the next several months through a straw!

That's the kind of energy there is in this rivalry between the fans and players from both sides. And the Buckeyes are going to need to take that salty, angry, crusty energy with them to the Big House if they're going to have any chance to come home with the W.

I just hope they don't try to "out-Michigan" Michigan. That means don't stubbornly stick with the run game too much, and genuinely test Michigan's corners and safeties. If Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate are back on November 29th which I think they will be, I have three words for Brian Hartline and Julian Sayin: let it fly!

Michigan's secondary has rarely been tested these last few years when they've played Ohio State. And it's driven me absolutely insane. If you have one of the best wide receiver rooms in the country, get them the ball!

If Ohio State does that consistently next week, it'll force the Michigan defensive backs to play back. This will then allow for the Buckeye ground game to get rolling.

With a team this talented on both sides of the ball, the Buckeyes should force the Wolverines to play an uncomfortable, frustrating game of pick your poison. If they do that, they'll bring home the first win in the series since 2019!

It's less than seven days until the greatest rivalry on the planet takes center stage again. And I cannot wait. After making short work of Rutgers, the Buckeyes can now devote all their attention to The Game.

GO BUCKS!

Statistical Leaders

Julian Sayin: 13-19, 157 yards, 2 TDs.

Bo Jackson: 19 carries, 110 yards, 2 TDs.

Max Klare: 7 catches, 105 yards, TD.

Source

ESPN

Picture Credit

primevideo.com