Rutgers at Ohio State 2018 NCAA Football Week 2 Odds

For the second straight game, the Ohio State Buckeyes must play without head coach Urban Meyer. If NCAA Football Week 2 turns out to be anything like Week 1, Ohio State might want Coach Meyer to take a permanent vacation. Can the Buckeyes make it two covers in a row facing massive ATS odds?

Rutgers at Ohio State 2018 NCAA Football Week 2 Odds

.@RFootball opens Big Ten play Saturday at No. 5 Ohio State on @BigTenNetwork. Preview: https://t.co/8CgW47CsSC#TheHunt #GoRU pic.twitter.com/rPC8erleb5

— Rutgers Scarlet Knights (@RUAthletics) September 3, 2018

When: Saturday, Sep. 8 at 3:30 pm ET Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH TV: BTN Radio: Rutgers / Ohio State Live Stream: BTN2Go ATS Odds: Ohio State -35 (-110) Over/Under Total Odds: 60 (-110)

Why Rutgers is a good bet at +35?

Rutgers played well in Week 1. As a massive -16.5 favorite, the Scarlet Knights dominated Texas State 35 to 7. The key for Rutgers was how their defense held Texas State to only 169 total yards. The Knights’ D faces a much steeper climb this week, though. Ohio State’s offense is one of the best in the nation. The good news is that Rutgers gets 35 points in this game. The D doesn’t have to shut down Ohio State’s offense for the Scarlet Knights to cover.

Team Statistics

Offense:

• Average Score For: 35
• Total Yards: 423
• Pass Yards: 205
• Rush Yards: 218

Defense:

• Average Score Against: 7
• Total Yards: 169
• Pass Yards: 100
• Rush Yards: 69

Why Ohio State is a good bet at -35?

Ohio State racked up 77 points versus one of the worst defenses in college football. Just as many football handicappers predicted, not having Meyer on the sidelines didn’t affect Ohio State’s offense. The Buckeyes now face what appears to be a decent Rutgers’ defense. It’s impossible to score 77 points against a decent defense. It’s possible to score 42 to 56, though. Because Ohio State’s defense should play better this week, the Buckeyes should cover the spread.

Team Statistics

Offense:

• Average Score For: 77
• Total Yards: 723
• Pass Yards: 346
• Rush Yards: 377

Defense:

• Average Score Against: 31
• Total Yards: 392
• Pass Yards: 196
• Rush Yards: 196

NCAA Football Betting Trends for Rutgers at Ohio State

• Rutgers is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games
• Over is 1-3 in Rutgers last 4 games
• Ohio State is 3-0 ATS in their last 3 games
• Ohio State is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 versus Rutgers

Rutgers at Ohio State Final Analysis: Buckeyes Cover Fifth Straight

Ohio State rules the head-to-head. Rutgers is a much, much better team than Oregon State, but Ohio State’s on a different planet than the team the Scarlet Knights beat in Week 1, Texas State. The Buckeyes can beat you so many ways on offense. On defense, Ohio State over pursued against Oregon State. That’s how the Beavers were able to score 31 points. Ohio State’s defensive coaches should make the adjustments, or at least speak to the over pursuers, in practice this week. The Buckeyes only need a slight adjustment to be better on defense in Week 2. Ohio State should make it 5 straight cover victories against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Saturday.

NCAA Football Week 2 Pick: Ohio State Buckeyes -35