The game at hand
Short-attention-span synopsis: Ruhroh, Rutgers. Weber hat trick. J.T. stands for “Just Take” another record. Ohio State swamps Jersey state school. Belch and move on.
Pregame buzz: This sucker had all the tension of wet rope. OSU was a 29-point favorite on the road against an opponent it had beaten the past three seasons by a total of 163-24. Only question was if a mortician would be stationed on the sideline.
The $100 question: They came, they saw, they took a bite out of the Big Apple, and wanted more. Never underestimate the blood lust of Buckeyes fans. With 43 seconds remaining and OSU clinging to a 56-0 lead, Rutgers lined up for a field goal attempt. Visiting fans chanted “Block that kick.” At least they stuck around in High Point Solutions Stadium, which is half the capacity of Ohio Stadium.
One-liner: Google “Rutgers, football, versus Ohio State,” and you’ll find a Stephen King novel.
Just wondering: There are 108 toxic waste dumps in New Jersey, most in the nation. Does that count Rutgers football? The Scarlet Knights have lost 16 consecutive Big Ten games, and 18 of their past 19. Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany, a New Jersey native, deemed Rutgers worthy of joining the league, in part because of the New York City TV market. Who is bothering to watch this dumpster fire?
How the pollsters will see it: “Keep gouging on cupcakes. Keep losing respect in the rankings. Fight someone your own size.”
What it means: “Relax. You can only eat so much cotton candy.” Rutgers would be a rickshaw. With an elephant in the seat. And a one-armed man pulling uphill. OSU was born to run over the Scarlet Knights, back up, and run them over again just to make certain. Badlands indeed. truck horn sounds in the booth. That caused Buckeyes fans to carpet-bomb Twitter with their usual Millen scorn. Question: Do we really need to review plays like they’re the Zapruder film when one team is leading by eight touchdowns?