First thoughts: Buckeyes smash Rutgers for another B1G blowout win

COLUMBUS — This wasn’t the Ohio State annual blowout of Rutgers the Buckeyes have gotten so accustomed to over the last decade.

No, this meeting inside the Horseshoe on Saturday afternoon was different. The Scarlet Knights scored first, taking their first-ever lead over Ohio State in nine games. The Buckeyes turned the ball over early and had sloppy moments. They didn’t score at will like they have in the past against Rutgers in the first half.

But the end result was no different at all, actually.

Ohio State blew out Rutgers yet again, racing past the Scarlet Knights with a 49-10 victory to finish off the five-game home stand undefeated as the first road game — a trip to Michigan State next Saturday — nears.

Simply put, the Buckeyes weren’t at their best for most of the afternoon against Rutgers. They still out-talented their first Big Ten East opponent of the year for a blowout win that could have been much easier.

That’s where the breakdown begins for Lettermen Row after the Buckeyes made their way through another Big Ten home game to beat Rutgers inside the Horseshoe. Let’s dive in.

Miyan Williams establishing himself as bell cow back for Buckeyes

Ohio State added starting tailback TreVeyon Henderson onto the availability report as a game-time decision in the moments leading up to the game, and he was scratched from the lineup. The Buckeyes did just fine without Henderson on Saturday, as Miyan Williams became the primary ball carrier — and thrived in that role. Williams went over the 100-yard mark for the second straight week and punched in five touchdowns in the process, including a 70-yard scamper early in the third quarter. He has been the Buckeyes best running back through five games, and he seems to just keep getting better as the season goes along. Williams is the old-school back Ohio State needs to set the tone. And he is doing a great job of doing that so far in league play.

Oh, and he tied a school record for most touchdown runs in a single game, joining Keith Byars and Pete Johnson. Not too bad of a day in the Horseshoe for Miyan Williams.

Buckeyes have best linebacker duo in Big Ten

Tommy Eichenberg has gained headlines as one of the best linebackers in the country through five weeks. But he isn’t alone in the Ohio State linebacker room as a playmaker and potential All-Big Ten option. Steele Chambers led the Buckeyes with 11 tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception, and he continues to impress by flying sideline to sideline and making plays. Chambers and Eichenberg, who had nine tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss, should both already be in prime contention as the first-team All-Big Ten linebackers — with seven league games still left to play. Both are playing at an extremely high level right now, and they’re elevating the entire Ohio State defense with their incredible abilities.

Julian Fleming still growing as major Ohio State threat

Julian Fleming has only played in three games for Ohio State this season. He has caught at least one touchdown in all three, and he is quickly becoming one of C.J. Stroud’s favorite targets. Fleming led the Buckeyes in receiving Saturday afternoon, and he hauled in a 36-yard touchdown pass from Stroud in the first half. A healthy Julian Fleming was always a scary thought, and he was long rumored to be a star-in-waiting. He has arrived for Ohio State, truly breaking out in each of the last three games. Expect that to continue in the coming weeks. The former five-star recruit is showing why he was rumored for so long to be a superstar.