Free College Football Picks Today: Ohio State Buckeyes vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights 10/1/22

A matchup of strength against strength is set for Ohio Stadium on Saturday, as the No. 3 The Ohio State University Buckeyes (4-0, 1-0 Big 10) and their outstanding rushing offense play host to the Rutgers, The State University of N.J. Scarlet Knights (3-1, 0-1 Big 10) and their superb ground defense. The Buckeyes are 40.5-point favorites, and the total is 59.Rutgers is coming off a 27-10 loss to Iowa at SHI Stadium last Saturday. Evan Simon threw for 300 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Samuel Brown V ran six times for 34 yards. Shameen Jones caught five passes for 71 yards. Ohio State beat Wisconsin 52-21 at Ohio Stadium last Saturday. C.J. Stroud was 17 of 27 for 281 yards, five touchdowns, and an interception. TreVeyon Henderson carried 21 times for 121 yards. Emeka Egbuka scored twice. He hauled in six receptions for 118 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Buckeyes won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 52-13 victory in October, their fifth straight win against Rutgers. Stroud threw five touchdowns for Ohio State, as Chris Olave scored twice.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Scarlet Knights are averaging 28.5 points per game so far this season, 84th in FBS, and they are facing a Buckeyes defense that has surrendered 16.0 PPG (21st). Meanwhile, Ohio State has scored 48.8 points a game this season, third in the country, and Rutgers is allowing 17.3 PPG (25th). The Scarlet Knights rank as one of the country’s worst teams in passing yards per game (181.5, 111th), while they are 43rd in rushing yards (185.8). The Buckeyes are 22nd in passing yards allowed per game (171.8) and 39th against the run (111.3).Ohio State has been one of the nation’s top teams in both passing and rushing yards per game, averaging 339.0 (11th) and 219.8 (19th) yards per game, respectively. Rutgers’ defense has been equally impressive on the ground, as the Scarlet Knights are 2nd in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (56.5). Against the pass, the Scarlet Knights are 29th (184.5).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through four games, Simon has thrown for three touchdowns (2 INT) and 141.5 yards per game to lead Rutgers in passing. In two away games this season, he has zero TDs and an average of 57.5 yards passing. Kyle Monangai leads the team in rushing with an average of 42.8 yards a game over four games. He has two touchdowns on the ground. Aron Cruickshank is the Scarlet Knights’ leading receiver with 39.0 yards a game and two TDs. Stroud has 16 passing touchdowns (1 INT) with 305.5 yards per game through four games to lead Ohio State. In four home games this season, he has thrown for 16 TDs (1 INT) and an average of 305.5 yards. Henderson has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 79.5 yards a game through four games. He has three touchdowns. Egbuka has been a workhorse in the Buckeyes’ passing game. He has five touchdowns and a 110.5 yard per game average through four appearances.