Buckeye Stock Market Report: Ohio State plays most complete game

After each Ohio State game during the 2021 football season, LGHL will offer its market analysis of the Buckeyes’ performance. Using a standard bond rating system, we’ll evaluate the offense, the defense, and the special teams, according to this formula:

AA (yeah, I may also use + and -): Very Strong

A: Strong

BBB: Adequate

BB: Facing Major Uncertainty

Then, we’ll take a look at any individual players whose performance stood out (in one way or another!) and assign them a stock rating: Blue Chip, Solid Performance, Penny Stock (akin to a junk bond, dangerously high risk).

Quick Overview

Finally. A complete game. A blowout. And against a team not called Akron. All week we heard about how this Rutgers team is different from the other seven who fell mightily to the Buckeyes since the Scarlet Knights joined the Big Ten. They didn’t look that different yesterday. After watching Iowa beat Maryland and Michigan beat Wisconsin, I was impressed again just how important quarterback play and turnovers are to the final outcome of a football game. C.J. Stroud was superb for the Buckeyes, the offense didn’t turn the ball over, and the defense picked off three Rutgers passes. An easy win. In the first quarter, after the failed fake punt, the 44-yard TreVeyon Henderson touchdown run, and the Denzel Burke pick-six, it was over at the 11:33 mark. I had a couple of concerns – and I’ll raise them below as I discuss the offense and defense – but, overall, it was quite a satisfying win, one that makes it look as though the Buckeyes really are back on track.

Offense

Aside from the short drive to end the first half, when Marcus Crowley was simply running the ball to wind down the clock, Ohio State scored on every possession led by Stroud. And there were seven others: six touchdowns and a field goal, the field goal coming as a disappointment. When a team cannot stop your offense – and make no mistake, Rutgers couldn’t stop the Buckeyes – you’ll win.

The Bucks’ attack was balanced, with 208 rushing yards and 333 passing yards (541 total yards). They were successful in converting third downs, eight of thirteen for the game, and Stroud was perfect on his third-down passes. Henderson, used sparingly for the second consecutive week, was electrifying early on; Teague and Crowley continued the run game well, after Henderson took a seat. The receivers were great in running after the catch, a factor that makes OSU’s passing game so dangerous. Nobody wants to be chasing Olave, Wilson, or Smith-Njigba in the open field. And C.J. Stroud? He was magnificent. More below.

Once Stroud left the game, after the second half’s first possession, the OSU offense really slowed down. Probably nothing to worry about, with the score a comfortable 52-6, but I need to point out a few things. After that point, Ohio State was outgained and outscored by the Scarlet Knights. I realize that the Bucks were playing backups at that point, but so was Rutgers. And one…