The Big Ten season opens week three with what appears on paper to be a big mismatch as No. 3 Ohio State (2-0) hosts Rutgers (1-1). The Buckeyes picked up where they left off while Rutgers began the season with an upset win before falling last week. This game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, kicks off at 7:30 pm ET on Saturday, November 7, and will be televised on Big Ten Network.
The series has been dominated by Ohio State with wins in all six games. Last year they won on the road 56-21 and have scored at least 49 points in all six wins. Rutgers has 48 points total in the six games, and the Buckeyes have won the last two in Columbus by scores of 52-3 and 58-0.
Rutgers Scarlett Knights Betting Outlook: Go For Broke
As big underdogs, the Scarlet Knights and new coach Greg Schiano have nothing to lose this week in Ohio. Schiano was an assistant coach at OSU from 2016-18 and is familiar with the Buckeyes players and gameplan. On the season, Rutgers is 1-1 ATS, and the over is 2-0 in their games.
The Rutgers offense has averaged just 261.5 yards per game on the season, ranking 112th in the nation. The defense has allowed 32 points per game, with 278.5 yards per game passing against them.
Quarterback Noah Vedral has completed 62% of his passes on the season but has just 299 passing yards. He has thrown four interceptions with three touchdowns while rushing for 40 yards and a score.
Running back Isaih Pacheco has 85 rushing yards on the season with two touchdowns while also catching nine balls for 69 yards. Kay’ron Adams has 63 yards on just five carries while also scoring once.
None of the Rutgers receivers have passed 100 yards yet as Bo Melton leads the way with eight catches for 98 yards and two scores. Shameen Jones has the other touchdown reception while going for 51 yards on six catches.
Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview: Don’t Slow Down
The Buckeyes are 2-0 ATS so far this season, and the under is 1-0-1 in their two games. Ryan Day’s offense is averaging 45 points per game, sixth in the nation, and they are 11th in the country, averaging 508.5 yards per game. The defense has allowed 21 ppg, ranking 22nd in the nation.
Quarterback Justin Fields enters this game with the second-best Heisman odds in the nation at +175. He has completed an impressive 88% of his passes in two games with 594 yards, and six touchdown passes. Fields has run for a score with 50 yards rushing and has not turned the ball over.
Running back Master Teague has 151 yards and three touchdowns while Trey Sermon has 104 yards rushing.
Wide receiver Garrett Wilson has caught 18 balls in two games for 240 yards and a score. Chris Olave has 13 catches for 224 yards and two scores, while Jeremy Ruckert has two touchdown receptions.
Rutgers at Ohio State Betting Line
Ohio State is favored by 38 points in this game. The total is 64.5 points, and Rutgers is a big underdog at +2100 on the money line.
Betting Analysis
Winning the conference and making the playoffs is the only goal for the Buckeyes in this shortened season. So far, they appear to be on a mission, and Fields has been unstoppable so far. If Rutgers turns the ball over as they did in the loss to Indiana last week, they will get run out of Ohio Stadium.
FREE PICK: Ohio State -38 (-110)
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