Frank Solich has his team off to a great start while Rutgers played a game at North Carolina that was a measuring stick and lost despite being +5 in turnover margin. Now they face a very good and very consistent and pesky team out of the MAC in Ohio. Ohio has a veteran offensive line and they return a real NFL talent off an injury from a year ago in Lavon Brazill to pair along with Sr. Phil Bates allows this team to be a real scoring threat against anybody. Also Ohio will force turnovers unlike the opponents Rutgers has faced thus far. They have 8 interceptions already and have given up 10 points in their last 2 games and just dominated Marshall a week after Marshall shocked a very good Southern Miss team.
Rutgers will struggle as they are not used to seeing a Pistol no huddle offense that Ohio will bring into this game. I expect them to stop the running game, but they may have issues defending the pass. On the other side of the ball I'm a bit skeptical despite having two next level WR on their roster in Sanu and Harrison I'm not buying into their QB Chas Dodd who is completing just 53.1 % of their passes. The offensive line is a huge question mark and they may even start two freshment his week. Ohio's defensive line is good enough to make an impact in this game. They held Marshall 2-12 on third downs a week ago while they converted 10 of 18 on 3rd or 4th down which impresses me considering Marshal boasts one of the best defensive lines in the MAC. Ohio is 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 as a road dog and 26-10-2 ATS in their last 38 following a SU win, while Rugers is 3-10 ATS in their last 13 in September and 1-9-1 ATS int heir last 11 as a favorite 3.5 to 10. Though they come off a bye I suspect this team is more focused on their Big East opener.
Oklahoma State as under dogs I can't pass this opportunity up despite Texas A&M talent on offense that features a balanced attack and impressive running game behind Cyrus Gray. This game really comes down to whether or not A&M can get pressure on Weeden. A&M lost Von Miller to the Broncos and though they have 11 sacks already I don't believe they can be the same against Oklahoma State that returns all 5 of their starters on the offensive line which finished 1st in sacks allowed in the Big 12 a year ago. Also this line opened up a lot for a running game and A&M showed issues vs. SMU in tackling Zach Line and Joseph RAndle has shown an ability to break tackles already. IF A&M tries to load the box Oklahoma State has the best receivers in the nation led by Justin Blackmon. Even though Oklahoma State won last year they did not play well and I think they are determined to go on the road and play well vs. TX A&M.
TX A&M strength is the running game and what most are talking about in terms of an advantage in this match up because Okl St gave up 365 yards to Tulsa. I think that's where this line got inflated big time. First of all most of that game in a game that was delayed and didn't finish until nearly 4am and it came after Oklahoma State had a 40 point lead at half time. I don't know any team up 40 points at 3 in the morning that would be motivated to play defense. A&M will try to run the ball early which could be a risk because Idaho actually loaded the box and held them to 3.7 ypc on 38 carries. OKl State's defensive line and linebackers are a little more talented than Idaho's. I think Oklahoma St can take advantage and get up early on forcing A&M into some 3rd and longs by stopping the run. This team has 9 take away already this year and that can be the difference on Saturday.
