2023 Ohio State University
The Buckeyes of Ohio State are the new top dog in college football this season following the first release of the College Football Playoff Rankings on Tuesday night. As such all eyes will be on them in one of their final road games of the regular season. Ohio State will defend their No. 1 ranking with a trip to Piscataway, New Jersey to take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The Buckeyes and the Knights will be meeting for the tenth time in series history and the fourth time in Piscataway. Ohio State has beaten Rutgers in every matchup they have played and have done so with an average margin of victory of 42 points.
Rutgers will defend home turf with a strong defense that ranks 13th in the nation in points allowed per game and a defense that has allowed the ninth least amount of yards in the nation. While they have had their struggles on offense this season with third year quarterback Gavin Wimsatt who has thrown for seven touchdowns and five interceptions on 50% completion and 1,134 yards. But while the passing department has had problems this season, the offense has found a blossoming young star among their ranks in running back Kyle Monangai who ranks 26th in the nation in rushing yards. The Scarlet Knights have put together a strong season so far with a record of (6-2) and are currently undefeated at home this season with both losses coming on the road against TTUN and Wisconsin.
For the Buckeyes this weekend it's business as usual and they will look to continue to build on what has become a great season. Unfortunately they will be without Miyan Williams for the duration of the season due to his recent injury requiring surgery, but luckily the running back room has shown great depth over the last two seasons. Of course the defense has been utterly dominant this season for the Buckeyes as even with the fifteenth most difficult strength of schedule in the nation they have allowed the second least amount of points of any team. Kyle McCord is coming off of arguably his worst start this season and will be looking to bounce back this weekend. Now with Emeka Egbuka expected to return this weekend the offense should be running at full speed with him, Cade Stover, TreVeyon Henderson, and Marv the Magician all expected to be fully healthy.
Game Preview:
While this game should be an easy win for the Buckeyes, nothing is guaranteed in November in College Football. Especially not on the road against one of the nations best defenses. Fortunately the Rutgers offense has not had the same level of success and it will be unlikely that they will be able to move the ball consistently and their defense will feel the brunt of that for the duration of this game. They will likely start strong, but wear down as the game goes on since they will be on the field more often than they would like to against Ohio State. After the first quarter the Buckeyes find some points, but its still low scoring. 10-0 Buckeyes lead.
The second quarter is where I expect Ohio State to really put the pedal down and attempt to pull away. With both sides of the ball expected to be fully healthy this week there is little to no reason as to why they can't do such a thing. Rutgers is good, but they are not at the same level as Ohio State and that shows in quarter two. Buckeyes bust this game open and lead 24-0 going into the locker room for halftime.
Out of the half the Scarlet Knights should be rested on both sides of the ball and this should lead to a good quarter for Rutgers. But even with a good quarter three it won't be enough to upset the No. 1 team in all of College Football. After the dust settles in Piscataway this weekend their will be no questioning the winner of this one.
Game Prediction: 34-7 Ohio State defeats Rutgers
Betting Line: OSU -18.5 | O/U 42.5
The Buckeyes are clear favorites to win this game, but with both teams having such good defenses the points are not expected to come often this weekend. The Buckeyes have won by at least 18 points in five of their eight games this season and have gone over 42.5 points just three times. My scoring prediction reflects that. However, when the Buckeyes have played Rutgers in the past the final score has never been less than three touchdowns. So take the spread in favor of Ohio State, but be cautious on the total points in this game and if you are determined to place a bet on this game roll the under.
How to Watch & Listen
TV: 12:00 p.m. ET, CBS
- Tom McCarthy (Play-by-Play), Ross Tucker (Analysis), Tiffany Blackmon (Sideline)
Radio: WBNS-FM/AM (97.1/1460)
- Paul Keels (Play-by-Play), Jim Lachey (Analysis), Matt Andrews (Sideline)