Free NCAA Football Prediction: Buckeyes vs. Scarlet Knights Odds
Looking for Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights free picks? College football betting sees the Ohio State Buckeyes taking on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on October 2nd, 2021, at SHI Stadium in Piscataway Ohio. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 5 predictions like this Hurricanes Scarlet Knights free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 5
(3-1)(1-0) #10 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-1)(0-1)
Date: Saturday, October 2nd, 2021
Time: 3:30 PM EST
Venue: SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: Ohio State -15.5 / Rutgers 15.5
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Ohio State -650 / Rutgers +440
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 58.5
The Ohio State Buckeyes will be making their first road trip since Week 1 to take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights from SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey.
Ohio State is undefeated in league play courtesy of a road win over Minnesota while Rutgers dropped their first Big Ten game last week on the road in Ann Arbor.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Kyle McCord got the start for Ohio State last week against Akron but Ryan Day has said that CJ Stroud is the starter when healthy. It is looking like Stroud will be able to be under center against the Scarlet Knights on Saturday and there will be plenty of weapons to work with.
Ohio State won 59-7 over Akron at home and finally covered for the first time this season as they benefitted from a late Zips touchdown drop to beat the -50 spread against them.
The Buckeyes lead the Big Ten with 43.3 points and 599 yards of total offense per contest this season. Wilson and Chris Olave get plenty of attention but Treveyon Henderson has 439 yards on the ground this season and is averaging 9.5 yards per carry. Ohio State is still a big-play offense that can put up points in bunches.
A key matchup is on third down. Ohio State leads the Big Ten with a 53% conversion rate and the Rutgers defense is holding opponents to a league low 21.6% conversion rate.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers fell behind early against Michigan but controlled the second half. The Scarlet Knights outgained the Wolverines in overall yards, rushing yards, and won the time-of-possession battle by over five minutes.
The Scarlet Knights only lost 13-20 and covered the large 20 point spread they were given. It was an impressive showing for Head Coach Greg Schiano and the Rutgers program to be able to go on the road to one of the best teams in the country and hang with them.
Isaiah Pacheco was a huge reason why the Scarlet Knights were able to climb back into the game. The emergence of a rushing attack would take Rutgers to the next level. Pacheco finished with 20 carries for 107 yards. Big Ten games are still controlled in the trenches and it is a way to keep the opposing team’s offense off the field. This is important for Rutgers against an explosive offense like the Buckeyes.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- Ohio State is 1-3 ATS this season
- Rutgers is 4-0 ATS this season
- Rutgers is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game
Free Week 5 NCAA Football Pick:
Rutgers’ defense has held opponents to just 262.8 yards per game along with just 150 yards per game in the air. The defense was absolutely torched to start against Michigan but with the offense staying out on the field, Michigan offense went a bit cold and allowed Rutgers’ defense to get some stops.
I anticipate a similar trend here as Ohio State’s offense has looked pedestrian at times this season and have struggled to score consistently. The Scarlet Knights have smothered teams they’ve played this season and I anticipate they can do the same by limiting deep plays to Wilson and Olave.
This over/under line seems very high considering Rutgers likes to play a methodical clock control style of offense and will want to limit the Buckeye’s time on offense.
I like Rutgers to cover and this game to go under the total.
4* Free Week 5 NCAA Betting Pick: Rutgers +15.5 & Under 58
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