The college football matchup between the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights is scheduled for Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Kickoff is at 12:00 PM ET and the game will be televised on FOX.
Game Overview
This Big Ten Conference late-season game features a stark contrast in team goals and performance. The undefeated and top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (10-0 overall, 7-0 Big Ten) are fighting to maintain their spot in the College Football Playoff race and secure a victory ahead of their rivalry matchup with Michigan. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (5-5 overall, 2-5 Big Ten) are hungry for a critical upset win, as they need one more victory to become bowl-eligible.
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Dominant Favorite Ohio State enters the game as the heavy favorite, boasting a potent offense and an elite defense. Their offense has been exceptionally balanced recently, showing a strong running game to complement their already dangerous passing attack led by quarterback Julian Sayin (2,675 passing yards, 25 TDs, 4 INTs) and star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (69 catches, 902 yards, 10 TDs). The Buckeyes’ defense is arguably their most dominant unit, allowing a meager 7.5 points per game.
Key Strengths:
Defense: An outstanding defense that limits opposing offenses to minimal points and rushing yards.
Balanced Offense: A top-tier passing game complemented by a surging ground attack, featuring running backs like Bo Jackson and James Peoples.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Playing for a Bowl Berth The Scarlet Knights secured a crucial victory against Maryland in their last outing, bringing them within one win of bowl eligibility. They face a daunting task against the nation’s top team. The Rutgers offense relies heavily on the ground game, powered by running back Antwan Raymond, who recently rushed for a career-high 240 yards. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (2,705 passing yards, 17 TDs, 7 INTs) will need a stellar performance to keep the Buckeyes’ defense honest.
Key Strengths:
Rushing Attack: Running back Antwan Raymond is a workhorse who gives them a chance to control the clock and keep the ball away from the explosive Ohio State offense.
Motivation: The team is highly motivated, needing just one more victory to secure a bowl game bid.
The game is likely to be decided in the trenches.
Rutgers’ Rushing vs. Ohio State’s Run Defense: Rutgers’ primary path to success is to control the clock with Antwan Raymond. However, they face a Buckeye defense that is notoriously difficult to run against, allowing extremely few rushing yards and touchdowns all season. This will be the ultimate test for the Scarlet Knights’ power running game.
Ohio State’s Passing vs. Rutgers’ Pass Defense: The Buckeyes’ offense, even if they lean on the run, can unleash a devastating air attack. The Rutgers secondary will be under immense pressure to contain Sayin and the deep Ohio State receiving corps.
Prediction: While Rutgers is highly motivated and has a strong running game, the talent disparity and the elite level of the Ohio State defense make this an extremely difficult matchup. The Buckeyes are expected to control the game on both sides of the ball, though Rutgers’ desire to achieve bowl eligibility may fuel a competitive first half.