Rutgers
vs.
Ohio State
Big 10
College Football Pick
10/1/16
Ohio State is coming off a huge win in Norman, is ranked No. 2 in the AP Polls and didn’t have to play last weekend. None of those are a recipe for success for Rutgers in this Game. The SCarlet Knights battled Iowa last week, but this one will be a little different in Columbus.
When these teams met last year, in Rutgers, the result wasn’t pretty. The Buckeyes dominated from the start en route to a 49-7 win. J.T. Barrett could not be stopped, passing for three touchdowns and 223 yards to go with 101 more yards and two TDs on the ground.
Rutgers actually played Iowa tough, but that’s the Hawkeyes. The Knights gave up 48 points in their opener out west at Washington. Barrett and company haven’t been stopped yet, while the defense hasn’t skipped a beat since last season.
The Bucks easily dispatched their first two opponents and then kept Baker Mayfield and the Oklahoma offense in check for 24 points. This Game could easily turn into a repeat of last year’s meeting and the spread may not ever be high enough if Ohio State continues to put in dominant defensive performances.
Will Rutgers be able to Scorein this Game? Quarterback Chris LAviano is completing 51.7% of his passes with three of his five touchdowns coming against lowly Howard. Even in that Game, he was just 11-of-22 for 137 yards. The SCarlet Knights may try and run the ball, but it’s hard to see them having much success against the Buckeyes. They managed 104 yards last year on 3.6 yards per carry, but that was with Paul James. With Robert Martin and Justin Goodwin the main options now, Rutgers will need to get some kind of ground Game going or they won’t make it to 10 points.
On the other side, it’s going to be tough for Rutgers, there’s no questioning that. At this point, Ohio State looks to have one of the better offenses in the country and Barrett could soon find himself in the Heisman conversation, if not already.
With Mike Weber in the backfield (351 yards, 6.5 yards per carry) and Curtis Samuel doing everything (260 rushing yards, 16 receptions, 259 yards), the Knights are going to have their hands full. And of course, this is in addition to Barrett. Wide receiver Noah Brown also stepped up last Game with an incredible catch and Four touchdowns in all.
Ohio State covered in their first three Games and this is another one that could be in that range. Unless Rutgers can find something offensively, this could be a similar result as to what the Tulsa Game was earlier for OSU. That matchup finished 48-3 in favor of the Buckeyes.
As long as Ohio State doesn’t take its foot off the pedal, which doesn’t look to be a problem at the moment, this one could be wrapped up by halftime.
Our Pick – Ohio State -38