Rutgers vs. Ohio State Pick
Will Rutgers be able to put up any fight when it takes on No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday at Noon ET, or will the Buckeyes roll along?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Ohio State is the clear favorite in this game, as the Buckeyes are getting odds of -38.5 points against Rutgers. The over/under total is listed at 57.5 points. Ohio State has won and covered the spread in both Big Ten meetings with Rutgers and the two have split the over/under total in the two games.
Ohio State is off to a 3-0 start with very impressive results. The Buckeyes have hit the under in two of three games thanks to an offense that is putting up 56.7 points and 545.3 yards per game. Despite all the losses Ohio State had from last year’s team, it’s hard to say that they don’t look like the best team in the nation thus far in the season. J.T. Barrett has thrown for 650 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing for 159 yards while Mike Weber and Curtis Samuel has combined for 611 rushing yards and three scores. Defensively, Ohio State is holding opponents to just 12.3 points and 278.3 yards per game.
Rutgers opened Big Ten play last week with a 14-7 loss at home to Iowa. The Knights played tough, but fell to 2-2 on the season. They hit the under for the first time this season in the loss. The Rutgers defense has shown some positive signs this season, allowing just 26 points and 362.5 yards per game. The offense is averaging only 27.3 points and 387.3 yards per game. The offense is led by Robert Martin, who is rushing for 358 yards and a touchdown while QB Chris Laviano has thrown for 647 yards and five touchdowns.
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Ohio State is averaging nearly what the total is set at and the Buckeyes are playing at home. Ohio State shouldn’t have an issue moving the ball on Rutgers despite what the Knights’ stats say. Rutgers gave up 48 points to Washington in the season opener and Ohio State should be able to at least match that. The key will be for Rutgers to put up just some points, hopefully around 10. We think that can happen in garbage time.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 5 PICK: RUTGERS/OHIO STATE OVER 57.5