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The last week of the regular season for the Big Ten is upon us. For Rutgers, they enter the week with qualifying for a bowl game on the line. In fact, both the Scarlet Knights and their opponents, the Maryland Terrapins, both come into the game with a 5-6 record. A win for either team results in them going bowling.
Rutgers is at home in the contest, but the Terps come to town as a 1.5-point favorite according to Tipico Sportsbook. Maryland has had a similar season to Rutgers. They started the season 4-0 (Rutgers started 3-0) before dropping three straight. They rebounded to win another game before dropping all three games in a gauntlet stretch versus Penn State, Michigan State, and Michigan. Both teams only Big Ten victories this season came against Illinois and Indiana.
Looking at the USA TODAY 1-130 re-rank, both teams had similar up-and-down movement all season. The Terrapins currently sit at No. 77, whereas the Scarlet Knights came in at No. 80. The final regular season game will determine Big Ten results, 1-130 standing, and obviously their bowl game eligibility as well.
In the latest update from the analytical arm of ESPN, the ESPN FPI gives Rutgers a 66.7% chance of walking away from Piscataway with a victory – their largest number this season. The OU total was set at 53 – also the highest total for any Rutgers game this season.
When looking at records against the spread, it heavily favors the Scarlet Knights. They are 6-5 ATS for the season. The Terrapins are 3-8 ATS on the season and have lost the last seven. Straight up, Maryland has fallen apart as well losing six of the last seven. Their one win was an unimpressive three-point escape against Indiana. With that being said, the fact that Maryland enters the game as a road favorite is not a good sign for Rutgers fans.
The point total has almost been a gimme when betting on the Scarlet Knights given their low offensive point total. Five of the last six games for Rutgers has gone under. In five of those games, Rutgers has scored 20 points or less. On the other side, Maryland has seen six games go over this season. Even with that being the case, taking the over in a Rutgers game does not seem like the smart move.
All Betting Lines are Courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook
- Money line: Maryland -125 (bet $125 to win $100) Rutgers +102 (bet $100 to win $102)
- Against the spread (ATS): Maryland -1.5 (-115) Rutgers +1.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 53.5 (O: -110 U: -110)
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