Ohio State vs. Rutgers: 5 reasons Buckeyes will win final home game, starters, history

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The Ohio State football team closes out its 2025 home schedule this week when it hosts the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, with kickoff set for Noon ET. Once again, the Buckeyes enter the game as a heavy favorite, carrying a 31.5-point spread at home in the 'Shoe. It is also likely that head coach Ryan Day will choose to rest some starters as he looks ahead to the critical matchups that await in the coming weeks.

As always, we are breaking down this matchup from every angle, examining why the Buckeyes are positioned to handle business and maintain their unbeaten run. This game brings plenty of intrigue, featuring familiar coaching faces on the opposite sideline and the added storyline of whether certain Ohio State players will take the field as the staff manages the roster with the Michigan game looming.

Here are five reasons we believe Ohio State will emerge victorious on Saturday in Columbus.

Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, and others’ last game at the 'Shoe

Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, and several other standouts may be taking the field at the Shoe for the final time. Time really does fly, and for leaders like Downs, Reese, and Styles, this matchup is almost certainly their last home game as Buckeyes. All three are expected to enter the NFL Draft in April, and each is widely projected as a first-round pick. I expect them to deliver commanding performances on Saturday, knowing this is likely their final chance to play in front of the home crowd in Columbus and eager to make it count against a vulnerable Rutgers offense.

History between Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano

Greg Schiano, now the head coach at Rutgers, spent three seasons at Ohio State as the associate head coach and defensive coordinator from 2016 to 2018. During that time, he worked under Urban Meyer and alongside Ryan Day. Many Ohio State fans, though, remember the flare-up in 2022 after a late hit on a punter that resulted in unsportsmanlike penalties for both coaches. In the heat of the moment, they shouted back and forth, and the exchange became one of the more memorable sideline scenes of that season. Afterward, Schiano clarified that the exchange had nothing to do with the fake punt itself but with protecting his player, who was caught in the middle of several Ohio State players.

Now, with some time and perspective behind them, both coaches have made it clear that they hold a great deal of mutual respect for one another. They consider themselves friends, and both have said the incident was simply a competitive moment that belongs in the past.

Ohio State–Rutgers all-time history

The history between these two programs does not stretch very far, beginning only in 2014, but Ohio State has controlled the series from the start. The Buckeyes hold a 10–0 advantage over the Scarlet Knights, and the closest Rutgers has come to breaking through came in 2023, when they fell by 19 points in a 35–16 final. Rutgers has made steady progress under Greg Schiano, earning bowl appearances in each of the past two seasons and entering this week at 5–5 in 2025, yet it still feels unlikely that they break through on Saturday. Ohio State once again appears positioned to keep the series spotless.

No Tate, no Smith for Ohio State, No Problem?

With Ryan Day offering little to no clarity on the status of his two-star wide receivers, it is looking increasingly possible that Ohio State will be without both Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate on Saturday against Rutgers. Tate has already missed the Purdue game and last week’s matchup with UCLA, while Smith played only the first half against UCLA and appeared to be dealing with discomfort afterward. Quarterback Julian Sayin turned in one of his more average performances of the season without his top targets, though he did grow more comfortable as the game progressed with Brandon Inniss, Mylan Graham, and Bryson Rodgers. Those three are likely to be his primary options again this week, and it sets up an interesting storyline as Ohio State prepares to take the field, likely without Tate and Smith. We will see how it plays out.

Statistical Matchup between Ohio State and Rutgers

On paper, the numbers paint a clear picture. Rutgers ranks 120th in total defense, giving up an average of 425.5 yards per game, which is far from ideal. Ohio State, meanwhile, sits at 25th in total offense and is producing 441.3 yards per game. The Buckeyes should find plenty of success against this Scarlet Knights defense, even if they are without Tate and Smith, especially considering how poorly Rutgers has defended the run. They are among the worst-run defenses in the nation, surrendering 204.4 rushing yards per game this season. Bo Jackson should have every opportunity to put up a big day against this group.

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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State vs. Rutgers: 5 reasons Buckeyes will win final home game

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