Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Oct. 2, 2021

Eytan Shander
VI College Football Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Buckeyes come off an impressive two-game stretch outscoring opponents 100-27, while Rutgers is just trying to keep its head above water in the Big Ten. The two teams will kick off Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ.

Score Prediction: Ohio State 34, Rutgers 20

Best Bet: Under 58.5

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Predictions

Ball control. Clock control. These are the keys to victory, and a healthy under play. Ohio State wants to run, like Michigan wanted to run, but the Rutgers defense won’t just lay down. The Scarlet Knights made it extremely difficult for the Wolverines to pull away and will be more than happy sitting on the football at home. CJ Stroud missed last week against Akron – not that it mattered – but saw the run game look just as sharp. It’s not like Ohio State can’t throw, as that might be the best way to pull away from Rutgers.

RU is buckled up rather tight when it comes to execution on the field. They seem to do everything well, from tackling to blocking. Their offense can grind a game down to a halt and their defense will test anyone on the ground. They do not – however – have the ability to get down field in the air, pretty much at all. While they are an Under-bettor’s dream, their inability to keep up with better opponents in the air will be their demise.

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Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Odds

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Ohio State is a 14.5-point road favorite against Rutgers. OSU is 1-2-1 this year ATS, while Rutgers is a perfect 4-0 ATS.

The total for this game is 58 points. SHI Stadium hosted two games so far this season, with an average of 66.5 PPG scored.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Resources

Matchup: Big 10
Date: Saturday, October 2, 2021
Venue: SHI Stadium
Location: Piscataway, New Jersey
TV-Time: BTN - 3:30 p.m. ET

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 3-1
ATS: 1-2-1
O/U: 2-2
ATS - Home: 1-2
ATS - Away: 0-0-1

It’s hard to fade the Buckeyes here as their offense looks night and day better than in their loss to Oregon. As good as RU’s run defense has looked, they still don’t have the talent to battle Ohio State all game. All the Buckeyes need to do is find a way to open this game, even if it means wearing down Rutgers in the first half. OSU has second-half cover pinned to their jersey, as it may take being physical and holding on to the football. It’s when OSU decides to strike in the air, getting up a score or two, that they’ll pull away from Rutgers. Just give it time.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 3-1
ATS: 4-0
O/U: 2-2
ATS - Home: 2-0
ATS - Away: 2-0

This is far from a bad football team and coming back home should do wonders for Rutgers confidence. They played Michigan tight in the Big House and won’t be overwhelmed by Ohio State. While the gameplan has been more successful than not, it’s now two straight weeks that Rutgers will have to deal with simply a better football team.

They can’t just sit back and hope Ohio State makes a mistake, and causing that mistake may prove tougher than any other game they’ve played. The only shot Rutgers has is keeping this a one-score game heading into the fourth quarter, and the only way that happens is if they control the ball forever.

The Ohio State Buckeyes have covered the spread in five of their last seven games when facing Rutgers. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Ohio State Buckeyes

Record: 3-1
VI Ranking: 11
Points Scored: 173
Points Allowed: 93
PS/G: 43.2 (8th)
PA/G: 23.2 (70th)

Inside the Stats - Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Record: 3-1
VI Ranking: 66
Points Scored: 136
Points Allowed: 54
PS/G: 34 (45th)
PA/G: 13.5 (7th)

Key Players to Watch

OHST: C.J. Stroud - QB (63/101, 963 yards, 8 TD, 3 INT)
OHST: TreVeyon Henderson - RB (46 carries, 439 yards, 6 TD)
RUTG: Noah Vedral - QB (76/112, 762 yards, 5 TD)
RUTG: Bo Melton - WR (24 catches, 253 yards, 2 TD)

Injuries

OHST: C.J. Stroud - QB (Shoulder-Questionable)
OHST: Sevyn Banks - CB (Undisclosed-Questionable)
OHST: Kamryn Babb - WR (Undisclosed-Questionable)
OHST: Noah Ptter - DE (Undisclosed-Questionable)
OHST: Tyler Friday - DE (Undisclosed-Questionable)
OHST: Cameron Brown - CB (Undisclosed-Questionable)
OHST: Marcus Crowley RB (Undisclosed-Questionable)
OHST: Joe Royer - TE (Undisclosed-Questionable)
OHST: Jakob James - OL (Undisclosed-Questionable)
OHST: Trey Leroux - OL (Undisclosed-Questionable)
OHST: Ryan Smith - OL (Undisclosed-Questionable)
OHST: Harry Miller - OL (Undisclosed-Questionable)
OHST: Josh Proctor - S (Leg-Out)
RUTG: Patrice Rene - DB (Undisclosed-Questionable)
RUTG: Max Melton - DB (Suspension-Questionable)
RUTG: Chris Long - DB (Suspension-Questionable)

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Conclusion

This has the feeling of a heavyweight fight – full of grappling and slow movement, with the occasional haymaker. Expect both teams to comfortably hold on to the football in the first half, which makes the under-1st half rather appetizing. I do like OSU to pull away, it’s just difficult to do on the road and against that Rutgers defense. If the Scarlet Knights can play flawless football, they just might have a chance. Don’t bet on it, as Ohio State’s offense is on fire.