Top-ranked Ohio State enters Saturday’s matchup against Rutgers as more than a four-touchdown favorite, but the Buckeyes still have some real intrigue heading into their final dress rehearsal before the Nov. 29 showdown with arch-rival Michigan.

Two of Ohio State’s biggest stars — Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate — remain question marks.

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Smith, who has electrified the nation with 69 receptions, 902 yards, and 10 touchdowns, played only the first half of last week’s 48–10 win over UCLA before spending the second half on the bench, appearing to favor his right leg. Tate, meanwhile, has missed two straight games due to lower-leg tightness but still sits at 39 catches, 711 yards, and seven touchdowns on the year.

Coach Ryan Day wasn’t giving away much mid-week.

“They’re working hard to get back on the field. That’s it. That’s what they’re focused on,” he said.

If Day opts to rest them, the Buckeyes (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten) still have plenty of firepower. Brandon Inniss stepped up with a team-high six catches last week, while tight end Max Klare added five. And if the passing game isn’t at full capacity, the offense can lean on its surging run game — Ohio State ran for 222 yards (6.7 YPC) against UCLA, with freshman Bo Jackson already tallying four 100-yard outings this season.

Ohio State has mastered the pre-Michigan matchup, winning eight straight with an average margin of 26 points in the Ryan Day era. Their last loss in this slot came back in 2015.

Rutgers head coach and former Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano doesn’t expect the Buckeyes to get caught looking ahead:

“I’d love to tell you yes, but I don’t think I can tell you that because historically when you look back, there hasn’t been any kind of significant better or worse in that game.”

Day made it clear the team isn’t losing sight of its goals — a return to the Big Ten Championship Game for the first time since 2019 and a shot at repeating as national champions.

“We don’t take anything for granted. We don’t make any assumptions. Every Saturday an opportunity to get to Indianapolis is on the line… There’s nobody on this team that’s been to Indy right now and they know it… Wake up in the morning every day looking to reach our goals. So whoever we play we play.”

The Scarlet Knights (5-5, 2-5) come in fresh off a bye following a 35–20 win over Maryland on Nov. 8. Running back Antwan Raymond erupted for 240 yards, the most in the Big Ten this season, and now sits at 1,000 yards on the year. QB Athan Kaliakmanis ranks second in the conference with 2,705 passing yards, and WR KJ Duff is second with 923 receiving yards.

Rutgers hasn’t had a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher, and 1,000-yard receiver in the same season since 2007 — and they’re on the brink of repeating it.

Rutgers is fourth nationally with three blocked punts, while Ohio State blocked one last week against UCLA. Day acknowledged the pressure Rutgers brings:

“They put a ton of pressure on you… Everyone has their own philosophy, and they do a great job of it… Those guys give great effort, and so we’ve got to be on our game.”

Bottom Line: Ohio State may be heavily favored, but between the uncertain status of two superstar receivers, a surprisingly potent Rutgers offense, and a special teams unit that thrives on chaos, Saturday’s game offers more intrigue than the spread suggests.

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The Buckeyes want momentum. They want health. They want Indy. And they want Michigan.

Saturday is the final step. Game on.