Rutgers vs No. 3 Ohio State

Rutgers vs No. 3 Ohio State | 2020 NCAAF Expert Analysis

Written by on November 6, 2020

Rutgers has never beaten Ohio State and it’s not going to happen this Saturday, either, in Big Ten action as the third-ranked Buckeyes are massive home favorites on the NCAAF odds to keep rolling.

How to Bet Rutgers at Ohio State NCAA Football Odds & TV Info

  • When: Saturday, 7:30 PM ET
  • Where: Ohio Stadium
  • TV: Big Ten Network
  • Stream: BTN+
  • Radio:com
  • Opening NCAAF Lines: Ohio State -38 (total 64.5)

Last Meeting

Ohio State routed Rutgers last year 56-21 in New Jersey. Justin Fields threw for 305 yards and four TDs for the Buckeyes – of course, he’s still the OSU quarterback. Playing just over a half, Fields finished 15 of 19. J.K. Dobbins ran for two touchdowns for the Buckeyes and cornerback Shaun Wade set up two early TDs with an interception and a forced fumble. Rutgers took the opening kickoff and turned the ball over twice in his first four plays from scrimmage, helping stake Ohio State to a 14-0 lead.

Saturday will mark the seventh meeting between Rutgers and Ohio State and fourth in Columbus. The Scarlet Knights’ first Big Ten road game was played in Ohio Stadium in 2014. The Buckeyes have won every meeting.

Why Bet on Rutgers? | 2020 NCAAF Expert Analysis

The Scarlet Knights (1-1) stunned Michigan State on Oct. 24 but lost at home to Indiana last Saturday, 37 -21. The Hoosiers scored 14 unanswered points during the second quarter, as a 15-yard touchdown pass from Penix Jr. to Ty Fryfogle gave Indiana a 20-7 lead at halftime.

Wide receiver Bo Melton and running back Kay’Ron Adams contributed touchdowns for the Scarlet Knights, as Greg Schiano coached his first home game “On the Banks” since returning as head coach. Melton had his first career multi-score game with touchdown receptions in the first and third quarters. He has now recorded a reception in 14 consecutive games.

Defensively, Olakunle Fatukasi reached double-digit tackles for the second-straight week and for the fourth time in his career. His 14 tackles set a new career high. He leads the team and is second in the league with 24 tackles this season. Rutgers ranks first in the Big Ten and second nationally with 9.5 tackles-for-loss per game. The rushing defense (79.5) is second and fourth, respectively.

Quarterback Noah Vedral has accounted for four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) in two starts, establishing his career high for completions (21) both weeks. Running back Isaih Pacheco paces the offense in both rushing yards (85) and receptions (9). Rutgers has scored eight touchdowns so far, surpassing its Big Ten total of six in nine games last season.

Rutgers is set to face its second ranked opponent in as many weeks. It will be the Scarlet Knights’ 13th game in program history against a team ranked in the top three of the AP poll.

Schiano spent three seasons as the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator (2016-18), winning two Big Ten championships, the 2017 Cotton Bowl and 2019 Rose Bowl.

Why Bet on Ohio State? | 2020 NCAAF Expert Analysis

The Buckeyes (2-0) won 38-25 at No. 18 Penn State last week. New Heisman favorite Justin Fields was terrific again, accounting for four TD passes as a part of his second 300-yard passing day of the season. It was the sixth time in his 16-game Ohio State career that Fields had thrown four touchdown passes. Master Teague rushed for 110 of the 208 total yards on the ground for the Buckeyes.

For the second game in a row, WRs Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave topped the 100-yard mark. Wilson pulled in 11 catches for 111 yards while Olave had seven grabs for 120 and two scores. It is the first time a pair of Buckeye receivers have reached 100 yards in back-to-back games. Tight end Jeremy Ruckert hauled in a pair of short TDs passes.

Ohio State has tied Notre Dame (1941-49) for consecutive road wins over Associated Press ranked teams at 10. Ohio State’s streak started in 2012.

Through two games, Fields has accounted for as many touchdowns (seven) as he’s thrown incompletions. For the season, he’s 48 of 55 for 594 yards with six touchdowns, no interceptions and one rushing TD.

The Buckeyes have won 15 consecutive Big Ten Conference games and have outscored their opponents during this stretch, 702-285. Coach Ryan Day’s Buckeyes are a perfect 12-0 vs. the Big Ten. OSU has 12 consecutive Big Ten Conference regular season wins by double figure margins with 10 of those victories by 23 or more points.

Game Trends

  • Scarlet Knights are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games in November.
  • Scarlet Knights are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games as an underdog.
  • Buckeyes are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as a home favorite.
  • Buckeyes are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games following a ATS win.
  • Scarlet Knights are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 meetings.

Expert Prediction

  • Ohio State 50, Rutgers 10

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