It's finally time to begin preparations for The Game and the Buckeyes, as they were last year, are massive favorites heading into the final week of the year.

Here are five reasons we think the Ohio State football team can make easy work of the Scarlet Knights on Saturday in Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Poking holes in Ohio State for the last 10 weeks has felt a bit like nitpicking. The Buckeyes are 11-0 and have played just a single one-score game (Aug. 30 vs. Texas). They have the best defense in the sport, a Heisman Trophy quality quarterback and clearly the best wide receiver tandem — when healthy.

Is Jeremiah Smith playing today? Ohio State Buckeyes WR injury news is slim vs. Rutgers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Jeremiah Smith is the best wide receiver in the country.

The "Big Noon Kick" crew discussed what makes the Ohio State Buckeyes' defense historically dominant and debated whether they can win back-to-back championship.

Reported early Saturday morning, Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, who are both suffering nagging lower-body injuries, will not playing in the Buckeyes' last home game against the Scarlet Knights

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate were ruled out for Saturday’s game against Rutgers. They are among 10 Buckeyes who will not be playing in the game. The full unavailable list can be seen below:

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes meet Saturday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET.

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day answered for the team dominating during the season and how they will handle adversity with little experience with it.

Rutgers football has two games remaining in the regular season, and first up is a battle against No. 1 Ohio State in Columbus.

No. 1 Ohio State’s defense hit a historic NCAA milestone with a 42-9 win vs. Rutgers, achieving something not done since 1987.