Rutgers football vs. Ohio State: How to watch, what to know and scouting report

PISCATAWAY – Rutgers maintains a “24-hour rule.”

The Scarlet Knights have 24 hours to celebrate a win or lament a loss, but after that it’s time to move on and begin preparing for the next opponent.

So by now, Rutgers has moved past its loss to Iowa.

And by now, the preparation for the toughest team on the schedule has begun: Ohio State.

The Scarlet Knights will take on the No. 3 Buckeyes on Saturday at Ohio Stadium looking to put together a consistent all-around performance – that’s what it’s going to take just to compete with Ohio State, let alone try and earn a victory.

It’s a big task, not just for Rutgers but for any team that takes on the Buckeyes.

“We're going to Columbus to win the game. Will that happen? You know there's another team on the other sideline that wants the same thing,” coach Greg Schiano said. “That's why goals are overrated in my opinion. We both have the same goal at the beginning of many game. But we are going to do everything we can, we are going to practice and get ready and go out to Columbus and play our best."

How to watch Rutgers vs. Ohio State

TV: The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network (also on the FOX Sports App). Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Brandon Gaudin will be on play-by-play alongside analyst Joshua Perry with Rick Rizzo on the sidelines.

Radio: The game can be heard on the RWJBarnabas Health Rutgers Sports Network (WFAN 101.9 FM/660 AM, FOX Sports New Jersey 93.5 FM/1450 AM, Audacy App, Scarlet Knights App). Important note: The game will only be heard on 101.9 FM at the start, while the Yankees’ game against the Orioles is broadcast on 660 AM. At the conclusion of the Yankee game, Rutgers vs. Ohio State will be broadcast on both the FM and AM stations.

Point spread: Rutgers is a 40½-point underdog, according to Tipico Sportsbook.

Weather: Forecasts are predicting mostly cloudy skies for Saturday in Columbus with a high temperature of 68 degrees with winds out of the northeast at 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 25 percent.

Previous games: Rutgers (at Boston College, W, 22-21; vs. Wagner, W, 66-7; at Temple, W, 16-14; vs. Iowa, L, 27-10). Ohio State (vs. Notre Dame, W, 21-10; vs. Arkansas State, W, 45-12; vs. Toledo, W, 77-21; vs. Wisconsin, W, 52-21).

Series history: Ohio State leads the all-time series 8-0. The Buckeyes won last season’s meeting, 52-13, in Piscataway. Ohio State won, 49-27, when the teams played in Columbus in 2020.

Did you know: Rutgers is 8-4 away from SHI Stadium since 2020, the best 12-game stretch since between 2005 and 2007.

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Injury report

It remains to be seen whether Rutgers quarterbacks Gavin Wimsatt and Noah Vedral will play. Both were in uniform and warmed up for the Scarlet Knights’ previous game against Iowa, but neither played. Schiano said after the game they could’ve played in an “emergency, emergency” situation, but that never happened. Schiano said Monday that both are progressing, but it was too early to determine their playing status against Ohio State.

Running back Aaron Young, who has missed the first four games with an injury, is “improving,” Schiano said.

Young is a versatile threat. His return, whenever it happens, would boost the offense.

“Boy, we have missed him,” Schiano said. “He's a multi dimensional guy. He does it on teams, he does it on running back and he does it at receiver.”

Three questions facing Rutgers

How close can the Scarlet Knights keep it?

The talent gap between these two programs remain vast. Ohio State is one of the best teams in the country, likely headed for the College Football Playoff. It has one of the best offenses in the nation led by a Heisman Trophy candidate in CJ Stroud. Its defense has also been stout. The Buckeyes roll over many teams − just ask Wisconsin. So how will Rutgers fare? It's going to be major task but if the Scarlet Knights' defense, which has been solid through four games so far, can put up a fight and find a way to limit Ohio State's offense, it would be impressive. Again, much easier said than done.

What's the quarterback situation?

Schiano said on Monday that it was too early to know whether Noah Vedral or Gavin Wimsatt will be available. They were both game-time decisions for the Iowa game, but neither played (Schiano said they might've been able to play in an "emergency, emergency" situation, but probably wouldn't have played at an effective level). So Rutgers finds itself in a similar situation heading into this game. If neither are available, it'll again be up to Evan Simon to lead the offense.

Can the offensive line show improvement?

The unit has gotten better, but it's still not to the level Rutgers needs it to be. "There was some things that we've done in the first four weeks that so we had no chance of doing the first two years," Schiano said. "So that's a good thing." But Ohio State is another step up. The Buckeyes have a good defensive front. Schiano said Iowa used eight or nine defensive linemen, and expects Ohio State to do the same. Rutgers' O-line needs to do a better job of protecting Simon (or whichever quarterback is in the game), something that won't exactly be easy.

Three Ohio State players to watch

C.J. Stroud, quarterback

Stroud, a Heisman Trophy finalist last season, is right back in the conversation this year. And he's probably even better this season. Through four games, the 6-foot-3, 218-pound Stroud is 79-of-112 passing (70.5 percent) for 1,222 yards with 16 touchdowns (tied for the most in the nation) and one interception.

TreVeyon Henderson, running back

One of the best running backs in the nation, the 5-foot-10, 214-pound Henderson through four games has rushed for 318 yards on 50 carries (6.4 yards per attempt). And he's not Ohio State's only talented running back −he and Miyan Williams form a formidable 1-2 punch.

Ronnie Hickman, safety

The DePaul Catholic product is one of several New Jersey players on Ohio State's roster. So far this season he has 12 tackles and one interception. Hickman overcame an injury-riddled road to get to this point.