Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Odds, Football Pick

Ohio State is a ridiculous 32-2 straight up in Big Ten games under head coach Urban Meyer—19-15 against the spread. At the other end of the spectrum, Rutgers is 1-8 SU and 3-6 ATS over its last nine Big Ten contests. The Buckeyes begin what they hope is another run to a conference title when they host the Scarlet Knights on Saturday afternoon at the Horseshoe.

Point spread: The Buckeyes opened as 37-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 45.0-0.0 Buckeyes (college football picks on every game)

Why the Rutgers Scarlet Knights can cover the spread

Rutgers has now covered two games in a row after falling last week to Iowa 14-7, but they hung on for the cash as a two-touchdown home dog. The Knights had chances to take an early lead, driving once to the Hawkeyes 8-yard line and once to the 3-yard line, but they came away scoreless both times.

After trailing 7-0 at the half, Rutgers tied the score on a Chris Laviano touchdown pass to Andre Patton early in the fourth quarter, but a fumble on their next possession gave the Hawkeyes a short field with which they took the lead. The Knights then reached the Iowa red zone with just under five minutes to go, but they ran out of downs.

On the day, Rutgers outgained Iowa 383-355; unfortunately, the game's only turnover made all the difference. The Knights opened this season with a loss at Washington, but they beat Howard 52-14 and New Mexico 37-28.

Why the Ohio State Buckeyes can cover the spread

Ohio State is 3-0 both SU and ATS after winning at Oklahoma two weeks ago 45-24, easily covering as a two-point favorite. The Buckeyes then had last week off.

Ohio State used a 36-yard Curtis Samuel touchdown run and a 68-yard pick-six by linebacker Jerome Baker to help take a 14-0 lead on the Sooners 10 minutes into the game, and it was almost over from there. Oklahoma got within seven points once, but the Buckeyes put the game away when J.T. Barrett tossed a touchdown pass to Noah Brown—their fourth scoring hookup of the evening—for a 42-17 advantage early in the third quarter.

On the night, Ohio State piled up 291 yards on the ground and won time of possession by a 36-24 margin. The Buckeyes opened this season with a 77-10 scrimmage against Bowling Green, covering 27 points, then they beat Tulsa 48-3, covering 28 points.

Smart pick

Ohio State has beaten Rutgers the last two seasons by an average score of 53-12, and there's little reason to believe something similar won't happen Saturday. Meyer may have some sympathy for new Rutgers head coach Chris Ash, a former Buckeyes assistant, but as long he doesn't take his foot off the gas, the Buckeyes should cash.

Betting trends

Ohio State is 16-1 SU in its last 17 games against its conference.

Ohio State is 5-0 ATS in its last five games.

Rutgers is 0-6 SU and 1-5 ATS in its last six games against its conference.

All college football betting lines and point-spreads data courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and Odds Shark YouTube for picks and analysis, or download the free odds-tracker app.