Before the season, this Ohio State-Rutgers game was supposed to feature one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten. Now it features two of the best ones, but not the one we were originally thinking of.
How to watch Rutgers vs. Ohio State: Game guide, TV/streaming, odds
Can Rutgers make a splash in its inaugural Big Ten season?
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Both Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett and Rutgers’ Gary Nova have outperformed expectations this season, and the two lead the Big Ten in both passer rating and yards per attempt this year, ahead of Connor Cook, Christian Hackenberg and Tommy Armstrong. Now they’ll face off on the field in Columbus.
Unfortunately for Nova, Barrett has considerably more talent around him, and it’s not like the Rutgers passing offense has been outstanding, either. However, this game could be a bit more intriguing than anyone had expected back in the offseason. Let’s take a look at the matchup.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC or ESPN2
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Our sites on these teams
The numbers
Rankings and records: Ohio State is 4-1, and the Buckeyes are ranked 13th in both the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. Rutgers is 5-1 and unranked.
Vegas: Ohio State opened as a 19.5-point favorite. The line has since moved to 21.5. The over/under is 63.
Weather forecast: Mostly cloudy with a high of 56 and a low of 39.
Two things at stake
Ohio State is very much a contender for the Big Ten East title, but the Buckeyes would have no margin for error if they lost this game.
Is Rutgers for real? A solid showing against Ohio State could confirm that. A loss means Rutgers will still be written off as Rutgers.
One big matchup
Ohio State secondary vs. Gary Nova: While it has improved since September, the Virginia Tech game is still sticking with Ohio State’s reputation. The Hokies have struggled since that game, but they were able to have a lot of success against the Buckeyes through the air. Gunner Kiel also had some success against the OSU secondary. Can Gary Nova do the same? The game might rest on his shoulders. However, he’s a bit interception prone, and any mistakes could ruin Rutgers’ chance for a major upset.
Further reading
Read Land-Grant Holy Land for more on Ohio State and On The Banks for more on Rutgers.
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