One major question heading into that game is the health of star wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, who missed the game against the Scarlet Knights.

The Ohio State Buckeyes moved to 11-0 on the season with a 42-9 win over Rutgers on Saturday afternoon in Columbus. Now, the most important game of the regular season awaits. Ohio State may be unbeaten,

The No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes host Rutgers Scarlett Knights in a Big Ten showdown Saturday, but the game arrives with a clear wrinkle. Key receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate will not play, forcing the Buckeyes to adjust on the fly.

No. 1 Ohio State will be without both of its top receivers for the final home game of the regular season against Rutgers. Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith are both listed as out in the Buckeyes’ injury report released ahead of Saturday’s noon kickoff.

Thanks to J.J.’s popularity, the first batch of bobbleheads sold out, but our friends at the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum are now taking preorders for the second batch that will ship in February 2026, just a few weeks after the Buckeyes win their second-straight national title (knocks on wood).

Julian Sayin played the bulk of Ohio State’s 48-10 win over UCLA without his two best weapons. Carnell Tate missed his second straight game with an injury, while Jeremiah Smith was limited to just 22 snaps in the win.

Ohio State duo named Biletnikoff Award semifinalists despite late-season injuries originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Buckeye defense continues to bulldoze opponents, and looks to their toughest test of the season in The Game next week.