The November 22, 2025 matchup between Rutgers and Ohio State presents one of the most lopsided statistical pairings of the Big Ten season, as the Scarlet Knights enter at 5–5 fighting for bowl eligibility while the Buckeyes storm in undefeated at 10–0, armed with one of the nation’s most dominant defenses and a balanced, explosive offense that has overwhelmed nearly every opponent on their schedule, and this contrast creates a matchup where Rutgers must play its most complete game of the season simply to remain competitive against a Buckeyes team that controls tempo, dictates field position, and suffocates opponents with relentless defensive precision. Ohio State’s statistical profile is staggering: allowing fewer than eight points per game while scoring nearly 38, they dominate early downs, win the turnover margin, create explosive gains, and routinely build multi-score leads before halftime, leaving opponents scrambling to adjust while struggling to match their physicality and depth, and against a Rutgers defense giving up nearly 30 points per contest the Buckeyes will see every opportunity to stretch the field, pound the run game, and force the Scarlet Knights into a pace they cannot match. Rutgers, however, does not enter empty-handed, as its offense has shown real development, with quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis surpassing 2,700 passing yards and running back Antwan Raymond eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards to form a capable tandem that can challenge opponents through varied looks and sustained drives when given time, but the challenge is replicating that production against the Big Ten’s most disciplined and athletic defense, which thrives on limiting explosive plays and forcing quarterbacks into hurried, off-platform throws that disrupt timing and rhythm. For Rutgers to make this competitive, they must control possessions early, avoid turnovers, convert third downs at a significantly higher rate than their season average, and find a way to generate early points that prevent Ohio State from leaning exclusively on its defense and dictating the entire flow of the game, and even then the margin for error remains extremely thin.

Ohio State’s offensive versatility further complicates matters, as their ability to shift seamlessly between power running, vertical passing, and controlled mid-range rhythm attacks allows them to attack defensive weaknesses from multiple angles, and Rutgers’ inconsistencies in coverage, tackling, and red-zone resilience leave them vulnerable to both long scoring drives and sudden chunk-play touchdowns that can quickly deflate momentum. The Buckeyes also carry the advantage of home-field intensity inside Ohio Stadium, where their crowd amplifies pressure on visiting offenses, accelerates communication breakdowns, and creates the kind of environment where an underdog must stay poised through every snap to prevent the game from slipping away early. The matchup ultimately centers on whether Rutgers can sustain enough offensive success to avoid falling behind by multiple scores, because once Ohio State forces a one-dimensional approach, their defensive front and secondary cohesion typically close the door quickly. While Rutgers’ offensive improvements offer some encouragement for early competitiveness, Ohio State’s balance, depth, and overwhelming defensive superiority make them the clear favorite to control the contest from start to finish, leaving Rutgers working not only to chase an upset but to prove that their growth can translate into a respectable performance against one of the sport’s elite programs.

Get live CFB odds and precise AI CFB picks, predictions, and cover probabilities.