The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-5 overall, 2-5 Big Ten) visit the Maryland Terrapins (2-2, 2-2) for a conference showdown at noon ET in Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Below, we analyze the Rutgers-Maryland college football betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Rutgers at Maryland: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 12:33 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rutgers +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Maryland -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Rutgers +7.5 (-110) | Maryland -7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 58.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Rutgers at Maryland: Three things to know
- Rutgers took a 23-7 loss to Penn State as a 13.5-point home underdog last week. The Scarlet Knights rush defense got steamrolled as the Nittany Lions outrushed them by 165 yards (248-83). Rutgers slipped to 4-3 ATS on the year after the loss.
- Maryland’s game last week against Michigan was canceled due to positive COVID tests within the Wolverines program. The Terrapins were pounded 27-11 by Indiana in their last game Nov. 28 and failed to cover as 11.5-point underdogs.
- Rutgers-Maryland have played 6 games since both joined the Big Ten in 2014. The Terrapins are 4-2 straight up and ATS in those meetings.
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Rutgers at Maryland: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Rutgers 35, Maryland 31
Money line (ML)
If Rutgers can force turnovers, which it has in five straight games, the Scarlet Knights can steal a win on the road vs. Maryland. The Terrapins have a minus-5 turnover differential whereas Rutgers is even.
I like the Scarlet Knights to cover so I lean RUTGERS (+220) for a quarter-unit. Typically, I’ll sprinkle on an underdog’s money line if I’m taking the points as a long-term strategy, but feel free to pass and stick with the spread.
Against the spread (ATS)
Maryland’s offense is far too one-dimensional to be laying more than a touchdown. The only game the Terrapins have gained more than 3.5 yards per rush was against Minnesota – its defense ranks dead last in opponent’s yards per play (out of 127 teams).
Also, Maryland’s rush defense is terrible. The Terrapins are giving up 4.9 yards per rush and rank 117th in opponent’s rushing yards per game. Rutgers is 2-0 outright when it has outgained opponents in rushing yards.
Rutgers is the much healthier side. You have to scroll through Maryland’s injury report, which is so extensive. The Terrapins have two starting offensive linemen, their top two RBs and WRs all listed as questionable, while the Scarlet Knights’ injury report is clean.
Finally, the Scarlet Knights are better in high-leverage situations. Rutgers has a higher net third-down conversion and red-zone scoring percentage. GIMME RUTGERS +7.5 (-110) for 1 unit.
Over/Under (O/U)
Prior to last week’s game vs. Penn State, Rutgers has been an Over machine (5-2 O/U this season) and the reason for the Under hitting in the PSU game was because of heavy winds and rain.
The weather forecast for Saturday’s game is clear and neither team can play much defense. Rutgers is ranked 97th in opponent’s PPG (33.9) and Maryland is ranked 94th (33.3 PPG).
TAKE OVER 58.5 (-110) for 1 unit.
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