Four storylines to watch in Ohio State vs. Rutgers

Rutgers has most improved defense in nation, Meyer says

The No. 5 was everywhere last Saturday for the Ohio State Buckeyes during a 54-21 victory over UNLV. Quarterback J.T. Barrett had it written on one of his sleeves. Center Billy Price wrote the number on the tape wrapped around his hands.

Then on Tuesday, as Ohio State practiced at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, the video board above the indoor field read, “Be a 5.”

Coach Urban Meyer could have turned the dial up to 11. His latest motivational strategy grades the players in a simpler way. In the Skull Session at St. John Arena last week, Meyer explained his numbering system. A zero is a nothing. A three is average. A five is a fierce competitor.

“He wants nothing but fives,” wide receiver Johnnie Dixon said. “He looked up the definition of competitor, and it was someone who competes in sports. He didn’t really like that. He came up with fierce competitor. As everyone knows, that’s him. He’s a fierce competitor.”

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The No. 11 Buckeyes (3-1, 1-0) take their fierceness on the road this weekend as Big Ten play resumes. Here are four storylines to watch in their 7:30 p.m. Saturday game at Rutgers:

1. Second chance: Chris Ash, Ohio State's former co-defensive coordinator, lost his first game against his old team 58-0 last season in Columbus. His Scarlet Knights (1-3, 0-1) don't seem to have a better chance this season, even with the game being played at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, N.J.

“When you get a team like Ohio State coming into town, I am hoping that it will be an outstanding environment,” Ash said. “A lot of people are going to want to come and watch Big Ten football, and it’s an opportunity for us to go out and play a common opponent from last year and again measure improvement that we’ve made from last year to this year.”

2. Record watch: J.T. Barrett might break a record every week. This week, he's close to Ohio State's career passing yards record. He needs 201 to pass Art Schlichter (7,547). He's also 14 yards away from 10,000 yards of total offense. No one else in Ohio State history has more than 9,000.

Barrett said Tuesday he wasn’t aware of where he stood in the record book.

“I always say, ‘Did I picture it like this?’ ” Barrett said. “No, not really. I just have tried to do my best and win football games. But to be up there with those names of people who have done great things here at Ohio State, it’s a tremendous honor.”

3. Challenging defense: Rutgers has five interceptions in the last two weeks. Opponents have converted 19 of 63 third downs against Rutgers in its four games. Those are two numbers that prove its defense could cause problems for Barrett and Ohio State's offense.

“They are much better,” Meyer said. “It’s the most improved defense I’ve seen in the country this year. They changed some things in how they do business.”

4. Backups in action: Second-string quarterback Dwayne Haskins received the most significant playing time of his career last week and could see more time this week if Ohio State builds a big lead.

Haskins threw two touchdowns against UNLV but also an interception that was returned for a touchdown.

“I don’t want to say reckless with the ball, but he’s still very aggressive,” Meyer said. “We don’t want to take that away from him but you play within the confines of playing to win. He did not on that one play. But it’s typical. You want to get those guys in the game early in the season and let that happen and work through it, coach through it.”


SATURDAY’S GAME

Ohio State at Rutgers, 7:30 p.m., Big Ten Network, 1410

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