Ohio at Rutgers - 2025 Matchup Preview
Ohio logo Ohio Bobcats at Rutgers Scarlet KnightsRutgers logo
Thursday, August 28th 2025 (6:00 PM EDT)
Rutgers -11.5 (46.5) (-455)  Open: -11.5 | 46.5
Rutgers 34 - Ohio: 31

 
Bobcats (1 - 2) (2 - 0 - 1)
Coach Brian Smith (1 - 0)
Avg Score : 19 - 27 (20 - 36 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7.8 - 4.2 (#45)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 9)
Our Line: Rutgers -18.5   (SP+ RUTG -14)
Projected Score: OHIO: 17 - RUTG: 35 (52)
RUTG Win prob: 77% | Cover: 45%
OHIO Travel: 413 miles
Scarlet Knights (3 - 0) (2 - 1 - 0)
Coach Greg Schiano (26 - 33)
Avg Score : 46 - 19 (46 - 19 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6 - 6 (#82)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 3) (Good: 4) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 3)
 
Ohio's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/28 Ohio at Rutgers+11.546.5L 31 - 34OY
Sat 9/6 Ohio vs West Virginia+3.558.5W 17 - 10UY
Sat 9/13 Ohio at Ohio State+28.049.0L 9 - 37UY
Sat 9/20 Ohio vs Gardner-Webb-17.5
Sat 9/27 Ohio vs Bowling Green-8
Sat 10/4 Ohio at Ball State-13.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18 Ohio vs Northern Illinois-3.5
Sat 10/25 Ohio at Eastern Michigan-10
BYE WEEK
Tue 11/4 Ohio vs Miami (OH)-9
Tue 11/11 Ohio at Western Michigan-9
Tue 11/18 Ohio vs Massachusetts-20.5
Fri 11/28 Ohio at Buffalo+3.5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 8
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 8
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Ohio's Schedule
Rutgers's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/28 Rutgers vs Ohio-11.546.5W 34 - 31ON
Sat 9/6 Rutgers vs Miami (OH)-15.545.5W 45 - 17OY
Sat 9/13 Rutgers vs Norfolk State-44.556.5W 60 - 10OY
Fri 9/19 Rutgers vs Iowa+2.545.5
Sat 9/27 Rutgers at Minnesota+6
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/11 Rutgers at Washington+9
Sat 10/18 Rutgers vs Oregon+17.5
Sat 10/25 Rutgers at Purdue-11.5
Sat 11/1 Rutgers at Illinois+13.5
Sat 11/8 Rutgers vs Maryland-1.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 Rutgers at Ohio State+22.5
Sat 11/29 Rutgers vs Penn State+18

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Rutgers's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
OHIO#115 (.07)36% (122)1931% (128)2.72 (95)15041% (88)2003.14 (113)#103 (.2)46% (112)2742% (86)50% (120)2.42 (32)43.311
RUTG#31 (.33)53% (22)46.350% (42)3.09 (59)16556% (14)2963.93 (70)#99 (.19)39% (68)19.336% (46)42% (85)3.92 (85)31.301.3
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
OHIO#40 (.24)46% (30)47% (35)3.1 (52)21445% (35)1934.15 (47)#23 (.1)37% (10)34% (3)40% (57)3.79 (68)44.91.61.5
RUTG#84 (.16)43% (67)44% (69)2.92 (88)16442% (63)1894.19 (44)#106 (.23)43% (85)48% (113)40% (59)4.03 (92)33.80.60.9



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
OHIO Offense3192035.6%3.14119350150200451%48%31%41%16%.07
RUTG Defense319.319.339.2%3.921.3 - - - - - 45%54%36%42%14%.19
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
OHIO Defense32735.546.2%2.421 - - - - - 49%51%42%50%13%.2
RUTG Offense346.346.352.6%3.93029461165296452%48%50%56%8%.33

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Ohio331:551933%57%6.343.3114.72026.1
Rutgers335:3829.350%80%431.301.351.3331.2
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
OHIO Offense351% (64)31% (128)37.3150.342 (109)- (109)2.72 (95)67% (86)9% (78)1.09 (44)
RUTG Defense345% (36)36% (46) - - - - .23 (114)3.29 (122)40% (7)9% (85)1.37 (127)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
OHIO Defense349% (58)42% (86) - - - - .07 (69)2.7 (61)67% (53)8% (105)1.03 (86)
RUTG Offense352% (59)50% (42)41.3164.746 (49).15 (61)3.09 (59)90% (14)6% (27)0.87 (92)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
OHIO Offense348% (76)41% (88)17.727.7199.77.211.35 (54)3 (92).24 (76)1.4 (108)37% (122)29% (88).2 (99)7% (111)1.7 (110)
RUTG Defense354% (101)42% (85) - - - - - - 2 (56).25 (80)1.6 (78)41% (5)35% (112).48 (113)5% (85)2.1 (86)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
OHIO Defense351% (81)50% (120) - - - - - - 3 (28).33 (107)1.4 (46)28% (118)34% (102).25 (64)5% (88)1.6 (28)
RUTG Offense348% (75)56% (14)22.331.3296.39.513.39 (13)0 (1).53 (21)1.4 (90)25% (23)44% (16).41 (51)2% (7)1.5 (122)

Ohio's Power Ratings
Ohio's Power Rating: -6.90 #98
Ohio's Offense Rating: 4.59 #109
Ohio's Defense Rating: 11.49 #87
2025 Talent Rating: 574.00 #101
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #101
Ohio's 2025 Expected Record: 7.8 - 4.2
Ohio's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -5.0 #87
Ohio's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.7 #87
Ohio's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.3 #86

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 567.54
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85

Power Ratings Matchup
Ohio: -6.90   Rutgers: 12.385

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Ohio: -5.0   Rutgers: 8.6




Rutgers's Power Ratings
Rutgers's Power Rating: 12.385 #52
Rutgers's Offense Rating: 21.15 #28
Rutgers's Defense Rating: 9.98 #81
2025 Talent Rating: 836.00 #45
Blue Chip Ratio: 3 #65
Rutgers's 2025 Expected Record: 6.0 - 6.0
Rutgers's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 8.6 #46
Rutgers's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.1 #31
Rutgers's Defense SP+ Rating: 24.6 #54

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85


Ohio Scoring
Offense: 19 PPG
Offense on Road: 20
Defense: 27 PPG
Defense on Road: 35.5

Ohio's 2025 Record
Record: 1 - 2
Record vs Spread: 2 - 0 - 1
Record on Road: 0 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 1 - 0 - 1
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 0 - 1
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 1 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Rutgers 35
Ohio 17


Total Points: 52

Rutgers Scoring
Offense: 46.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 46.3
Defense: 19.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 19.3

Rutgers's 2025 Record
Record: 3 - 0
Record vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Record at home: 3 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 2 - 1 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202508/28Rutgers34Ohio31RutgersRutgers -11.5Ohio46.5Over
201109/24Rutgers38Ohio26Rutgers
200609/16Rutgers24Ohio7Rutgers
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Rutgers301 Overs
Ohio010 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams3 - 00 - 10 - 10 - 0
Road Teams0 - 31 - 00 - 01 - 0

(#98) Ohio Info
Power Rating: -6.90 #98
Offense Rating: 4.59 #109
Defense Rating: 11.49 #87
Overall SP+ Rating: -5.0 #87
Offense SP+ Rating: 24.7 #87
Defense SP+ Rating: 29.3 #86
Talent Rating: 574.00 #101
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #101
Expected Record: 7.8 - 4.2

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 51%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 36%
Poor Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 3.14 PPO
Awful Run Success 31%
Bad Pass Success 41%
Poor OL Grades, Poor OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Poor Sacks/Turnovers
Awful Defense Success Rate of 46%
Good in Scoring Position 2.42 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 42%
Awful Pass Def Success 50%
Awful Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position

Record on Road: 0 - 2 (1 - 0 - 1 vs Spread )

Ohio Notes
(8/29) Navarro great vs Gers, but Pass Def torched
(8/28) RB S Bangura - 2k career yds (TR Back, inj LY)
(7/27) WR rebuild, Hendricks good LY, have some depth
(5/5) QB Navarro back, JAG passer but strong runner
(5/5) RB rebuild, Brune starter in spring, track runner
(5/5) Def OK LY, returns good prod. 8 portal adds
(5/5) HC Smith was OC/PGC for past 3 years
(5/5) LY HC Albin left Ohio for Charlotte? Bad sign
(3/26) OL 3/5 back, OK LY. Have depth

Ohio Highlights
Ohio is Undefeated vs Spread

Ohio defense Intercepts a lot of Passes (#28)

Ohio Deficiencies
Ohio has a really bad Offense
Ohio offense is really bad (#122)
Ohio offense is bad in Scoring Opportunities (#113)
Ohio run game is really bad (#128)
Ohio offense is bad on 3rd Downs
Ohio has a bad defense (#112)

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatRUTGOHIO
OverallOver#14#97
OffenseOff#1#90
DefenseDef#87#98
Special TeamsST#89#62
PassingPass#1#85
RushingRush#38#78
Run BlockRBLK#4#107
Pass BlockPBLK#8#87
Route RunningWR Rt#2#43
TacklingTkl#56#42
Run DefenseR Def#87#70
Pass Rush DefPRush#55#77
Coverage DefCov#90#113

Rematch from Week 1
Rutgers -11.5 (46.5)
Rutgers won vs Ohio this year (34-31)

Weather Forecast
Playing in SHI Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: OHIO | RUTG
Depth Chart: OHIO | RUTG
Rosters: OHIO | RUTG
(#52) Rutgers Info
Power Rating: 12.385 #52
Offense Rating: 21.15 #28
Defense Rating: 9.98 #81
Overall SP+ Rating: 8.6 #46
Offense SP+ Rating: 33.1 #31
Defense SP+ Rating: 24.6 #54
Talent Rating: 836.00 #45
Blue Chip Ratio: 3 #65
Expected Record: 6.0 - 6.0

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 52%
Great Offense Success Rate of 53%
Great Offensive Explosiveness
Bad in Scoring Position 3.93 PPO
Good Run Success 50%
Great Pass Success 56%
Good OL Grades, Avg OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Bad Sacks/Turnovers
Bad Defense Success Rate of 39%
Bad in Scoring Position 3.92 PPO
Avg Run Def Success 36%
Bad Pass Def Success 42%
Poor Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position

Record at home: 3 - 0 (2 - 1 - 0 vs Spread)

Rutgers Notes
(8/21) OT R Langsdale out for season, big loss
(6/10) OL 4/5 back. 5 portal adds, looks pretty good
(6/10) Def not great LY, returns a lot. 9 portal adds
(6/10) OL has top 10 exp, 87% of which returning
(5/15) DL added 5 portals, JMU's best DE & DT
(5/13) Def portals very productive, esp on the DL
(4/24) WR Sheffield big add w Strong/Duff. Very good
(3/29) QB Kaliakmanis back, JAG+. Can run
(3/29) HC Schiano v good. Has bowled last 2 years
(3/21) RB Raymond good FR LY, portal Campbell (FAU)

Rutgers Highlights
Rutgers in Undefeated
Rutgers is Undefeated at Home

Rutgers offense is efficent (#22)
Rutgers offense is good on 3rd downs
Rutgers does Not Get Runs Stuffed (#25)

Rutgers has a great TO Margin (#1)
Rutgers commits very few Penalties (#25)

Rutgers Deficiencies
Rutgers gives up a Lot of Explosive Plays (#117)
Rutgers has a bad defensive line (#122)


  
Ohio's OC Scott Isphording
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Parker Navarro497565%580537.7
Nick Poulos4850%19002.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Parker Navarro3218315.728
Sieh Bangura (Tr)4817613.724
Duncan Brune247002.98
Nick Poulos61302.211
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Chase Hendricks20312215.667
Max Rodarte687014.524
Eian Pugh451012.825
Jake Bruno448212.016

View Ohio's Full Roster
Ohio's DC John Hauser
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Adonis Williams Jr.231000
Michael Molnar203220
DJ Walker182010
Jack Fries151013
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Anas Luqman (Tr)93200
Michael Molnar203220
Nehemiah Dukes (Tr)81101
Jay Crable31132
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jack Fries151013
Tank Pearson140002
Jay Crable31132

Rutgers's OC Kirk Ciarrocca
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Athan Kaliakmanis628573%820709.6
AJ Surace4757%58208.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Antwan Raymond4324855.835
CJ Campbell2211905.422
Ja'shon Benjamin2110214.915
Edd Guerrier72503.69
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
KJ Duff17244214.432
Ian Strong16216213.526
DT Sheffield (Tr)12201216.854
Ben Black356118.737

View Rutgers's Full Roster
Rutgers's DC Robb Smith
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kaj Sanders160001
Moses Walker152001
Jett Elad (Tr)141010
Eric O'Neill (Tr)113100
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Djibril Abdou Rahman21100
Dariel Djabome101110
Jordan Thompson41100
Eric O'Neill (Tr)113100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Bo Mascoe81002
Kaj Sanders160001
Keshon Griffin21011