Rutgers has a whale of a challenge on Saturday: No. 2-ranked Ohio State.

Here is a closer look at the Scarlet Knights’ matchup with the undefeated, heavily-favored Buckeyes at SHI Stadium in Piscataway (3:30 p.m., BTN)"

KEYS TO VICTORY

Ohio State doesn’t show up: Hey, what if all the buses break down at the hotel Saturday morning? It would probably be hard to get another fleet of buses on short notice and it’s unlikely there are enough Ubers in the area to get the entire operation over to the stadium. They have to forfeit then, right?

The NCAA grants special one-day eligibility to the Rutgers honorary captains: It would be interesting to know what the point spread would be if Kenny Britt, Brian Leonard, Kevin Malast, Ray Rice, Mike Teel and Jamaal Westerman were all expected to play for the Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers puts Flubber in its players’ cleats: Prof. Ned Brainard’s high-bouncing substance would allow the Scarlet Knights to leap over their Buckeye opponents and fly to the end zone. Ohio State can do many things, but it cannot do, or stop, that. Here’s a link for all the kids who don’t know what we’re talking about.

X-FACTOR

OK, all kidding aside. The best way for Rutgers to make this mismatch as palatable as possible is to find some way to run the football and run the clock. Keep the pile moving forward as best as possible, try to keep the game in a phone booth and get it over with as soon as possible. Chances are the Buckeyes will go with the flow if the Scarlet Knights can establish it.

Buy Rutgers-Ohio State tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek

DID YOU KNOW?

Ohio State’s backup quarterback is Chris Chugunov, who starred at Montgomery High in Somerset County. The Buckeyes made Chugunov, not starter Justin Fields, available to local reporters in Columbus this week, so it’s pretty obvious they plan for the Jersey kid to see plenty of action in his homecoming game once things get out of hand. Chugunov started his career at West Virginia and appeared in 10 games before joining the Buckeyes as a graduate transfer in 2018. He played against Rutgers last season but did not accumulate any stats. He has seen snaps in seven games this year and threw for 103 yards and a touchdown last week against Maryland. He had 86 pass yards and two touchdown throws against Miami of Ohio as well this fall.

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James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.