Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Preview
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
When: Saturday, October 1, 12:00 PM ET
Line: Rutgers Scarlet Knights (+38.5) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (-38.5); total: 59.5 – view all NCAA Football odds and lines
TV Broadcast: Big Ten Network
Writer’s Pick: Ohio State (-38.5)
College Football News and Previews
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- Arizona State vs. Stanford NCAA Football Preview - September 30, 2017
Betting on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (+38.5)
Rutgers had their two-game winning streak snapped on Saturday with a stinging 14-7 loss to Iowa. Akrum Wadley scored on 26-yard run late in the fourth quarter to dent the Scarlet Knights’ upset bid. Head coach Chris Ash will take comfort in the fact, however, that his side delivered their best defensive performance of the season against the Hawkeyes. Rutgers held Iowa to just 355 total yards on Saturday.
They will need to bring that same kind of defensive effort this coming Saturday if they are to inflict Ohio State’s first defeat. Rutgers’ secondary, in particular, needs to man up against Ohio State’s aerial attack that has already nabbed 11 passing touchdowns this campaign. The Scarlet Knights held Iowa QB C.J. Beathard to just 162 passing yards on Saturday.
For Rutgers to record a major shock and cover the huge 38.5-point spread against Ohio State, it needs to get a huge performance from Chris Laviano. He struggled mightily in the game against Iowa, completing just 13 of 24 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown. Laviano had a quarterback rating of 32.8 in that game. It won’t get any easier for him against an Ohio State defense that has surrendered just two passing touchdowns this campaign.
Rutgers is 4-6 SU and 5-5 ATS in its last 10 road games.
Betting on the Ohio State Buckeyes (-38.5)
The Ohio State Buckeyes will head to their Big Ten showdown with Rutgers with momentum on their side after beating the Oklahoma Sooners, 45-24, on Saturday. It was another impressive victory for the Buckeyes, who improved their season-record to 3-0. They have won their first three games by an average of 44.3 points.
Key to Ohio State’s blistering start has been their incredible offense. The Buckeyes are averaging a whopping 56.7 points per game this season, third-best in the entire FBS. Just like in their opening two wins, it was J.T. Barrett who stole the show for Ohio State in this game. He passed for 152 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 74 yards for the Buckeyes. Wide receiver Noah Brown benefited from Barrett’s stellar play, tying a school record with four touchdown receptions. Brown entered the game with just five catches and one touchdown in his career.
For the Buckeyes to preserve their unbeaten record against Rutgers, they will need to quickly establish their running game this coming Saturday. Ohio State rushed for 291 yards in the win against Oklahoma. Marlon Mack spearheaded the Buckeyes’ ground attack, finishing with 123 yards on 18 carries. The Buckeyes are seventh in the FBS in rushing offense, averaging 306.0 yards per game. They will be licking their chops at the prospect of facing a Rutgers defensive line that’s allowing 181.8 yards per game on the ground this season, 88th in the FBS.
Ohio State is 9-1 SU and 4-6 ATS in its last 10 home games. The Buckeyes are pegged at +400 to win the national championship.
Writer’s Prediction
Ohio State (-38.5) annihilates Rutgers, 59-14.
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