Ohio State vs. Rutgers Pick
Is No. 11 Ohio State giving up too many points today when it goes on the road to face Rutgers on 7:30PM ET? Here’s our pick for the contest.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Ohio State is the clear favorite on the road in this game, as the Buckeyes are getting odds of -28.5 points against Rutgers. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 51.5 points. Ohio State has won all three Big Ten meetings with the Knights, covering the spread in all three wins as well. Today’s game takes place from High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. The game will air live on the Big Ten Network.
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Rutgers is coming off a 27-17 loss at Nebraska last week to fall to 1-3 on the season and 0-1 in the Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights are 3-1 against the spread, going 2-1 ATS at home. Rutgers has been respectable on defense thus far, allowing just 18.3 points and 298.3 yards per game this season. Offensively, Rutgers isn’t great. It is averaging 27.3 points and 326.8 yards per contest. Kyle Bolin has thrown for 642 yards and three touchdowns this season, but also has six interceptions. Gus Edwards has run for 259 yards to lead the offense.
Ohio State has won two straight since the loss to Oklahoma. The Buckeyes are now 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten. However, the Buckeyes are 1-3 against the spread, failing to cover in their last three games. Ohio State is holding opponents to 20 points and 367.3 yards per game this year. The offense is putting up 39.3 points and 549 yards per contest. J.K Dobbins has run for 520 yards and three touchdowns to lead the offense. J.T. Barrett has thrown for 966 yards and 10 touchdowns while also rushing for 174 yards and two scores. Parris Campbell has caught 18 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns.
Ohio State hasn’t quite been its usual dominant self this season and now the Buckeyes hit the road to face Rutgers. Rutgers isn’t a team known for being terribly competitive, but I think the Knights are improving as a program after a terrible 2016. Ohio State just doesn’t seem the same on both sides of the ball. While the Buckeyes will win, I see them having some struggles along the way, allowing Rutgers to cover.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: RUTGERS +28.5