Ohio State Hosts Rutgers as 33-Point Favorite in Final Regular Season Clash
The Ohio State Buckeyes are set to host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET — and the betting lines tell the whole story before the first snap. With a spread of -33.5 points and a moneyline of -50,000, Ohio State isn’t just favored. They’re a force of nature. This isn’t just another game. It’s a coronation in waiting — the final regular season tune-up before the showdown with Michigan, and a chance for the Buckeyes to prove they’re not just good, but historically dominant.
A Defense That Doesn’t Just Stop Teams — It Erases Them
Ohio State’s defense isn’t just the best in the FBS. It’s the most terrifying. Allowing just 7.5 points per game, they’ve turned opponents into ghosts. The Buckeyes held UCLA to 10 points last week, and before that, they shut out Illinois, Penn State, and Wisconsin — three teams that entered their games with top-25 offenses. Quarterback Julian Sayin has been surgical, completing 80.1% of his passes, the highest rate in college football history among qualifiers. He’s not just efficient; he’s surgical. His receivers run routes like they’ve rehearsed them in slow motion, and when they catch the ball, the scoreboard ticks up. Ohio State has scored at least 34 points in six straight games. They don’t just win — they overwhelm.Rutgers: A Team Fighting for More Than Just a Bowl
For Rutgers, this game is about survival. At 5-5, they need one more win to reach bowl eligibility. Their last victory — a 35-20 win over Maryland — was built on a career-best 240-yard rushing performance from Antwan Raymond and a gritty offensive showing from quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, who’s thrown for 2,705 yards this season. But here’s the brutal truth: their defense is a sieve. They allow 425.5 total yards per game, 6.6 yards per rush, and 8.5 yards per pass attempt. That’s not bad. That’s catastrophic against a team like Ohio State. Rutgers averages 30 points allowed per game — nearly four times what the Buckeyes give up. They’re not outgunned. They’re outclassed.
The Numbers Don’t Lie — Or Even Try
The projections are unanimous. Dimers.com ran 10,000 simulations. Ohio State wins 96% of the time. The predicted score? 41-13. USAToday.com’s model says 49-13. PicksandParlays.net went with 45-7. Even the over/under — hovering around 55.5 points — reflects the belief that Ohio State will score early and often, and Rutgers won’t be able to keep pace. The last three meetings between these teams? Ohio State won all three, outscoring Rutgers 136-39. That’s not a rivalry. That’s a massacre with a schedule.And yet — and this is the twist — Rutgers isn’t giving up. They’ve shown flashes. Their offense is ninth in the Big Ten in scoring. Their passing game is sixth in the conference. They’ve got talent. But talent doesn’t win when it’s facing a machine. Ohio State’s defense doesn’t just react. It anticipates. It pressures. It forces mistakes. And when Rutgers makes them — and they will — the Buckeyes don’t just capitalize. They annihilate.
Why This Game Matters Beyond the Scoreboard
For Ohio State, this isn’t just about maintaining a perfect season. It’s about legacy. The Buckeyes are the defending national champions. They’ve won 14 straight games. At home, they’ve won 59 of their last 60 games against nonconference opponents. A blowout here doesn’t just pad their record — it sends a message to the College Football Playoff committee: we’re not just good. We’re untouchable.For Rutgers? It’s about dignity. A win — even a close one — would be their first over a top-five team since 2014. It would give their program momentum. It would prove their rebuild isn’t just hope. But the odds? They’re not just long. They’re astronomical. A 4000-to-1 moneyline isn’t a bet. It’s a warning.
What’s Next? The Real Test Awaits
Ohio State’s next game — against Michigan on November 30 — will be the true measuring stick. A win here doesn’t guarantee anything. But a loss? That would be seismic. The Buckeyes know it. Coach Ryan Day has spent the week reminding his team: “One game at a time.” But everyone knows what’s coming. And if Ohio State plays like they have all season — disciplined, relentless, precise — then this game won’t be close. It’ll be a statement.Meanwhile, Rutgers will play for pride. For their seniors. For the fans who’ve waited years for a moment like this. They’ll line up. They’ll fight. But history, stats, and sheer talent are stacked against them. The scoreboard may not reflect the effort. But it will reflect the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this game affect Ohio State’s national championship chances?
A dominant win over Rutgers strengthens Ohio State’s case for the College Football Playoff, especially if they keep their defense intact and avoid injuries. With a 11-0 record and a 14-game winning streak, the Buckeyes are the clear No. 1 seed in most projections. A blowout here reinforces their dominance and makes it harder for the selection committee to justify ranking another team above them.
What’s the likelihood Rutgers covers the 33.5-point spread?
Extremely low. Only one FBS team this season has lost by fewer than 30 points to a top-five opponent — and that was against Alabama in 2023. Rutgers hasn’t held a single opponent under 24 points since October. Ohio State’s defense has allowed fewer than 13 points in five of their last six games. Covering a 33.5-point spread would require Rutgers to score at least 24 points and limit Ohio State to 57 or fewer — a near-impossible scenario given current trends.
Why is the over/under so low if Ohio State scores so much?
The low total reflects Rutgers’ inability to score — not Ohio State’s offense. While the Buckeyes average 41.2 points per game, they’ve played four opponents who scored under 10. Rutgers’ defense allows 30 points per game, but their offense only averages 29.9. The model assumes Ohio State scores early and often, then pulls starters. That’s why the over/under sits at 55.5 — it’s not about Ohio State’s ceiling, but the likely pace of the game.
Has any team come close to beating Ohio State this season?
Not really. Their closest game was a 27-10 win over Penn State — a 17-point margin. Even then, Ohio State led 20-3 at halftime. The only team to score more than 17 points against them was Wisconsin (20), and they did it with a late garbage-time touchdown. No opponent has reached 24 points. Ohio State’s defense has held every FBS opponent this season to under 30 points — the first time that’s happened since Alabama in 2011.
What’s the historical significance of this matchup for Rutgers?
Rutgers hasn’t beaten a top-five team since 2014, when they stunned No. 4 Michigan State. Since then, they’ve lost 22 straight games to ranked opponents. A win here would be their biggest in over a decade — but the odds are so long that even their own fans aren’t expecting it. Still, a respectable loss — say, 38-21 — could give their program a morale boost heading into next season.
Could Ohio State look past this game to Michigan?
Coach Ryan Day has been adamant about not looking ahead, but it’s human nature. The Buckeyes have won 14 straight, and Michigan is next week. Still, they’ve shown discipline all season — even after big wins, they’ve stayed focused. If they start pulling starters early here, it’s not because they’re looking ahead. It’s because they’ve already won. And that’s exactly what’s expected.
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