Ohio State Football: How Urban Meyer suspension impacts Buckeyes’ first three games

After the Oregon State game, the Buckeyes move on to the start of Big Ten play. Rutgers is the first conference foe on Ohio State’s schedule. With or without Meyer, there is little question that Ohio State should easily put away the Scarlet Knights in this showdown. The bigger question will be whether Rutgers can score any points this year.

Ohio State and Rutgers have only met four times previously. And all four times, it has resulted in a Buckeyes rout as the Scarlet Knights suffered a case of diminishing returns. Last year the Scarlet Knights lost 56-0 against the Buckeyes in Piscataway. The year before that, Rutgers fell 58-0 in Columbus. In 2015, Rutgers managed to put a touchdown on the board but still lost 49-7. Their first meeting resulted in a 56-17 defeat as Rutgers started life in the Big Ten.

More: Ohio State 2018 game by game full season predictions

Rutgers didn’t lose a lot of their starters from last year’s squad. That could be considered both a good and a bad thing. They are hoping that additional experience will correct some of the mistakes of last year. But this was a team that gave up 28 points per game and only averaged 18 points on offense.

Given that Ohio State is at home, there probably isn’t much to worry about in terms of facing Rutgers this year. Look for the Buckeyes to secure another double-digit victory as they consolidate top-10 position in the polls.