Who needs experience when you have oodles of talent? The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes were the least experienced team heading into 2016 with just six returning starters from last year’s squad. Anyone who thought that this would be a rebuilding year for the Buckeyes though was sorely mistaken as Ohio State has looked fantastic in its first three games. Coming off of a bye week, a familiar face comes to town as the Buckeyes host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in Week 5 College Football action.
This matchup in Week 5 will take place on Saturday, October 1, 2016, at 12 p.m. ET at Ohio Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Ohio State -38.5
Rutgers +38.5
Odds Analysis
Ohio State has been absolutely clinical this season. The Buckeyes are 3-0 SU and 3-0 ATS and have covered each of their three games with plenty of room to spare.
Meanwhile, Rutgers is 2-2 both SU and ATS and has covered its last two following a narrow loss to Iowa on Saturday.
The Buckeyes have been favored by 21 in each of the past two seasons against the Scarlet Knights and covered both with ease, winning by 39 and 42 points. This time around they are a much bigger favorite in light of their hot start.
Player to Watch
All the attention may be on Lamar Jackson, but JT Barrett has looked awfully impressive too this season and may be headed for New York. Barrett is the one constant for this team in the midst of all the turnover and is running Urban Meyer’s system to perfection.
The Buckeyes are averaging 56.7 PPG thus far and Barrett’s play is the main reason why. He has totaled 13 touchdowns through just three games and is averaging 8.9 yards per pass attempt and 4.1 yards per carry. Barrett has not turned the ball over either, throwing just one interception in 73 pass attempts.
He should be able to have a field day against a Rutgers defense that allowed 48 points to Washington and 28 points to New Mexico.
Coaching Angle
Rutgers made a solid hire when it brought in Chris Ash to replace the disgraced Kyle Flood, but it is going to take time before the school sees dividends on its move. Ash inherited a very young team and didn’t have a lot to work with, but the Scarlet Knights’ recent results have inspired hope for the future.
Ash returns to Columbus after being Meyer’s defensive coordinator for the prior two seasons, but while he knows the tendencies of the coaching staff, slowing them down will be a different story.
He was able to almost pull off a big upset last week against Iowa in a game that was extremely close throughout. Ash will bring Rutgers back to respectability, but will have his hands full against his former team here.
Free ATS Pick
The Scarlet Knights are holding out hope that star WR Janarion Grant isn’t lost for the season, but it doesn’t look good. Late in the first half against Iowa, his leg was stepped on during a big play that gave Rutgers a goal-to-go situation and he ended up being carted off the field. His 20 catches are by far the most of any Rutgers receiver and his loss would be huge.
Ohio State is going to be too much for Rutgers to handle here. The Buckeyes are coming off of a bye week and will be fully rested for this one. The loss of Grant is devastating for a Scarlet Knights team that is devoid of playmakers and without him they will struggle to move the ball on a Buckeyes’ defense allowing 12.3 PPG.
The tandem of Mike Weber and Curtis Samuel should have a field day against Rutgers and as long as Meyer decides not to take it easy on his former assistant, Ohio State should get the cover.
College Football Odds: Buckeyes 55, Scarlet Knights 10
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