The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten) and Northwestern Wildcats (2-3, 0-2) meet for a noon ET tussle Saturday at Ryan Field in Evanston, Ill. Below, we look at the Rutgers vs. Northwestern odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Rutgers is coming off a rough stretch against Big Ten undefeated Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State. The RU defense has been solid: the Knights rank in the FBS top-50 in pass defense (yardage), and the team’s 366.8 yards allowed per game ranks a respectable 60th in the nation. Rutgers had three giveaways in a 52-13 loss to Ohio State but has otherwise had just two over the rest of its slate. That ball security has fed into a plus-5 in overall turnover margin.
The Wildcats are back at home after a bye week that came on the heels of a 56-7 loss at Nebraska. Northwestern allowed 657 total yards in that game, including 427 on the ground. On the season, NU ranks 126th in the nation in run defense (237.2 yards per game).
Rutgers at Northwestern odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:20 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rutgers -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Northwestern +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rutgers -2.5 (-107) | Northwestern +2.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 45.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Rutgers at Northwestern odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Rutgers 27, Northwestern 21
Money line
For a number of reasons — mainly that the analytics for these teams fall in the muddy middle in a lot of categories — this contest is one that’s tough to figure all around.
There is a bit more belief in Rutgers, especially if you toss the contest against a much more Ohio State Buckeyes squad from Oct. 2. And that’s the way the public has started to shade this one late in the week. But the Scarlet Knights coming off three tough, physical games and going on the road for a potentially sleepy early Saturday game does make for some skepticism.
PASS on the money line and look to leverage the 2.5 points against the spread.
Against the spread
Rutgers is 7-0 ATS in its last seven road games.
The Knights outgained Michigan, 352 yards to 275, in a game they lost, 20-13. Two weeks later at home against Michigan State, RU was undone by two explosive-play touchdowns in the second half. The Knights led that game, 14-13, midway through the second quarter.
A bit of marginal regression toward average in converting key third downs and red-zone opportunities would make for confirmation of a Big Ten East team on the rise.
BACK RUTGERS -2.5 (-107). Consider a partial-unit play here, as the lean is not a strong one.
Over/Under
Peg this one as having enough of a chance at a close-throughout contest, one that spirals the total into the high-40s or low 50s. Keep an eye on the forecast for a windy-by-the lake day in the Chicago area, but BACK THE OVER 45.5 (-107). Again, consider this one a very close call — a partial-unit play may be wise.
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