As the matchup between OHIO STATE BUCKEYES and RUTGERS on December 22 approaches, anticipation has reached a boiling point. Every meeting between these two programs creates its own tension, but this year feels different. Not just because RUTGERS has shown legitimate growth, but because they enter this contest with three real, tangible advantages. And these are advantages BUCKEYES fans absolutely cannot stand to acknowledge.

While OHIO STATE remains one of the most powerful brands in college football, this game carries a danger they cannot ignore. RUTGERS is no longer the underdog the conference once viewed as predictable and harmless. They have been evolving, sharpening, strengthening — and on December 22, those elements could finally converge.

Below are the three major advantages RUTGERS holds heading into the matchup — advantages that might shift the balance, unsettle BUCKEYES fans, and reshape the narrative of this rivalry.

The psychological edge and a deeper hunger to prove themselves

The first and perhaps most overlooked factor is the emotional and psychological drive inside the RUTGERS locker room. For years, they’ve been positioned as the inferior team, the program expected to fall in line beneath giants like OHIO STATE. But seasons of doubt and dismissal tend to converge into something powerful. Something defiant.

This year, RUTGERS enters the game not with pressure, but with purpose. They are not burdened by national expectations or the need to protect a legacy. They are motivated by pride and the desire to shatter outdated perceptions. And when a team has nothing to lose but everything to prove, they become far more dangerous than their record may suggest.

OHIO STATE, by contrast, carries an entirely different weight. Their fans expect dominance. Their critics expect perfection. Their brand demands victory. And while the BUCKEYES certainly have the talent to meet those expectations, the psychological dynamics create a subtle but real advantage: RUTGERS is free. OHIO STATE is not.

In games like this, desire and mental sharpness often matter as much as strength and star power. And on December 22, RUTGERS enters hungrier.

A defensive unit more disciplined and dynamic than ever

The second major advantage RUTGERS brings is a quietly improved defensive system — one far more cohesive and efficient than in previous seasons. Gone are the days of wide-open gaps, missed assignments, and reactive football. This version of RUTGERS plays with structure, anticipation, and discipline.

The linebacking unit has shown faster reads, smarter pursuit angles, and far better communication. The secondary looks calmer, more coordinated, and more comfortable adjusting mid-play. And the defensive line, while not the biggest or most intimidating, has played with enough consistency to disrupt rhythm-heavy offenses.

This matters more than fans may realize — because OHIO STATE’s offensive rhythm is everything. When the BUCKEYES are allowed to dictate pace, their athleticism takes over. But when they are forced into slower, more methodical possessions, mistakes tend to surface.

RUTGERS does not need to shut down OHIO STATE. They simply need to frustrate them.

If they can slow the BUCKEYES even slightly, if they can force a handful of uncomfortable possessions, if they can create just enough doubt early — the game changes.

And the truth Buckeyes fans hate: RUTGERS has the defensive tools to do exactly that.

Tactical consistency and superior game control

The third advantage is subtle but significant: RUTGERS plays with tactical consistency. They know their identity, they understand their limits, and they execute a style designed to manage risk and control tempo.

Few teams in the conference manage ball possession, game pacing, and situational awareness as effectively as RUTGERS has this season. They don’t chase highlight plays. They don’t force reckless passes. They don’t overextend their structure.

Instead, they slow the game, protect the ball, and wait for opponents to crack under pressure.

This becomes a serious issue for OHIO STATE, a team that thrives on explosive momentum. The BUCKEYES are at their best when they stack quick drives, build early leads, and force opponents into high-tempo football. When that rhythm is interrupted, their offense can become impatient — and impatience leads to turnovers, stalled drives, and missed opportunities.

RUTGERS will aim to dictate the flow of the match. If they succeed, OHIO STATE may find themselves fighting on unfamiliar terms: a slower, more controlled, more tactical game than they prefer.

And in games like that, the underdog is never truly an underdog.

Why this matchup might defy expectations

These three advantages — psychological freedom, defensive discipline, and tactical stability — create a version of RUTGERS that OHIO STATE cannot simply overlook. Yes, the BUCKEYES remain the more talented roster. Yes, they remain a national powerhouse. But matchups are not always won by the team with the most stars. Sometimes, the team with the right blend of hunger, structure, and strategy prevails.

This game on December 22 may not resemble previous meetings. It may not be the one-sided script fans expect. Instead, it may reveal how far RUTGERS has come — and how much they’ve prepared specifically for a moment like this.

For BUCKEYES fans, that is an uncomfortable reality. For neutral football fans, it is the recipe for a potentially electrifying showdown.

No matter the outcome, one thing is certain: RUTGERS is entering this matchup with more than hope. They’re entering with legitimate advantages — and a chance to shock the football world.