247Sports labels Ohio State vs. Rutgers a 'trap game' for Buckeyes

Rutgers has presented very little challenge to Ohio State since it joined the B1G in 2014. But 247Sports believes that could potentially change in the 2021 season.

Listing 10 of the biggest trap games in college football for the upcoming season, the website listed the Oct. 2 B1G East matchup as a potential trap game for the Buckeyes. It’s the only B1G game mentioned on the list by 247Sports.

Many will use a Sharpie to mark a “W” next to Rutgers’ name on Ohio State’s schedule this season, seeing little chance that the Scarlet Knights pull off one of the biggest upsets of the year. But 247Sports thinks improved play from Rutgers and schedule timing work into the Scarlet Knights’ favor.

From 247Sports:

Many laugh at the thought of Rutgers football pulling off a massive win, considering where the program has been as of late. But Greg Schiano’s return has helped the Scarlet Knights start to resurrect their program and get somewhat back to where they once were. That will be the second game of Big Ten play that Ohio State has in 2021 and will come right before it faces an impressive quarterback in Taulia Tagovailoa at Maryland. Rutgers might just seem like another nonconference game for some Ohio State fans, but overlook the Scarlet Knights too much and we could have an early season upset on our hands.

Ohio State is a perfect 7-0 against Rutgers all-time. Last season’s game was the most competitive the Scarlet Knights have been against the Buckeyes, falling 49-27 in Columbus.

The Buckeyes have outscored the Scarlet Knights 376-75 in those games and have recorded a pair of shutouts.

This year’s matchup between Ohio State and Rutgers will be the second B1G game for both teams. The Buckeyes play Minnesota in Week 1 and  the Scarlets travel to Michigan in Week 4.