'Fans will rush the field & tear down the goalposts': Targum gives predictions for Rutgers-Ohio State game
Fresh off of a bye week, the Rutgers football team will face Ohio State on Saturday at SHI Stadium on Busch campus. The Scarlet Knights (6-2, 3-2) will look to pull off the upset against the undefeated Buckeyes (8-0, 5-0), who are ranked as the No. 1 team in the country by the college football ranking committee.
In anticipation of Saturday's game, here are The Daily Targum's score predictions and overall thoughts on how the contest will unfold.
Ellis Gordon, head sports editor: "Rutgers has historically struggled against Ohio State. The closest the Knights got to beating the Buckeyes was in 2020, when Rutgers lost by 22 points. This year's matchup provides an opportunity for Rutgers to pull off a massive upset and become ranked. That said, the Knights will fall short.
"The game will be a defensive battle and will also be closer than years past. Rutgers will pick off Kyle McCord once, and junior defensive back Desmond Igbinosun will register a sack. The Knights offense, though, will struggle as junior running back Kyle Monangai rushes for less than 60 yards, and the passing attack never gets going. Ohio State's defense will drive it to a 24-13 victory."
Josh Meyers, associate sports editor: "Even with a bowl game under its belt, Rutgers' belly is not full. Coming off of a bye week, the Knights will face the No. 1 team in the nation: Ohio State.
"The Buckeyes are going to be a tough challenge, boosting talent such as Marvin Harrison Jr. and Denzel Burke. On defense, Ohio State will get two turnovers and at least three sacks. Harrison Jr. will make at least eight receptions and get more than 100 yards against Rutgers. McCord will throw for at least three touchdowns as the Buckeyes win by a score of 42-20.
"It will be the first time the Knights hold Ohio State to less than 49 points, which will represent a step in the right direction for Rutgers."
Camden Markel, correspondent: "Fans will rush the field, and the goalposts will find their way to the bottom of the Raritan River on Saturday afternoon. Rutgers wins 23-20."
Matthew Mangam, correspondent: "Rutgers faces its toughest test of the season this Saturday against No. 1 ranked Ohio State. The Buckeyes are undefeated this season and have never lost to the Knights. In this game, Rutgers will not give up more than 48 points and will cover the spread, but Ohio State will win by a score of 27-13."
Andrew Rice, contributing writer: "Rutgers has looked good this season, especially on defense, but Ohio State is ranked No. 1 for a reason. The Knights' defense will slow down the Buckeyes thanks, in part, to junior defensive back Robert Longerbeam forcing a fumble. But the offense will struggle to capitalize, and Ohio State will pull away for the 35-17 win."
Jonathan Vasquez, contributing writer: "As much as I want to predict an upset, this game will not be close. Rutgers will score first before Ohio State strikes back and takes a commanding lead after keeping the Knights scoreless in the fourth quarter. Junior quarterback Gavin Wimsatt will throw for no more than 120 yards and rush for no more than 35 yards as the Buckeyes win 45-17."
Jack Rabenhorst, contributing writer: "Rutgers will hand Ohio State its first loss of the season with a walk-off field goal made by sophomore placekicker Jai Patel. Fans will rush the field and tear down the goalposts in a 24-21 victory for the Knights."
Sara Eschleman, opinions editor: "Ohio State will dominate as usual, handing Rutgers a hard loss of 31-13. But I am hoping for a Rutgers-Purdue basketball-type beat upset."
Uriel Isaacs, associate news editor: "Rutgers will lose 42-6. They are mathematically and physically incapable of defeating top-ranked Ohio State."
Rutgers will go up against No. 1 Ohio State at noon on Saturday. The game will be televised on CBS and broadcast on 88.7 WRSU-FM and WFAN.
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