Rutgers Scarlet Knights betting odds line spread pick predictions best bets – Page 6

Rutgers at Illinois odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Rutgers at Illinois odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-4, 0-4 Big Ten) take on the Illinois Fighting Illini (3-5, 2-3) in Champagne, Ill. this Saturday at 12:00 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Rutgers at Illinois odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

If you would have told Illini fans before the season that they would have wins over Nebraska and Penn State, they would have taken it. But those are Illinois’ only two conference wins, and the Penn State win last week came via a 9-OT slugfest that finished 20-18 (not a typo). Illinois has one of the worst offenses in the country (4.7 yards per play; 117th nationally), and the defense is giving up 23.8 points per game.

Rankings according to the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Rutgers hasn’t fared much better. It is winless in conference play thus far, it enters this matchup on a four-game losing streak and the offense is right on par with Illinois’ in terms of yards per play. After covering the spread in each of its first four games, the Scarlet Knights have failed to cover any of its last three games.

Rutgers at Illinois odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 7:45 a.m. ET.

Money line: Rutgers -117 (bet $117 to win $100) | Illinois -103 (bet $103 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Rutgers -1.5 (-105) | Illinois +1.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 41.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

Indiana at Maryland odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Illinois 24, Rutgers 20

Money line

There’s some letdown potential for Illinois after the big Penn State win, but Rutgers has been outscored 104-33 in its last three games against No. 5 Ohio State, No. 7 Michigan State and Northwestern. Until Rutgers shows it can win a Power 5 game—which it hasn’t since Week 2 at Syracuse—we’ll lean on Illinois (-103) to win outright.

Against the spread

This game is essentially a pick ’em, so it’s usually a good idea to PASS on the spread and target the preferred team on the money line for better odds.

Over/Under

We touched on the utter futility of each team’s offense above, so it’s no surprise to see such a low number here. Neither defense is all that great either—Rutgers ranks 84th in yards allowed per play while Illinois is 92nd.

This can still be an ugly game and hit the OVER 41.5 (-108).

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Rutgers at Northwestern odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Rutgers at Northwestern odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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)

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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Michigan State at Rutgers odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Michigan State Spartans at Rutgers Scarlet Knights odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Michigan State Spartans (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) and Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-2, 0-2) meet for a Saturday afternoon Big Ten East Division battle at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET. Below, we look at the Michigan State vs. Rutgers odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

The Spartans are No. 11 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Michigan State returns to conference play after defeating Western Kentucky, 48-31 last week. The Spartans led that game 45-16 heading into the fourth quarter. MSU struggled in pass defense, allowing 488 yards. In allowing 426.8 total yards per game, the Spartans rank an uncharacteristic 102nd in the nation.

The Scarlet Knights are continuing a brutal section of their 2021 schedule. They enter this contest off losses to Michigan (20-13) and Ohio State (52-13). Rutgers enters Saturday’s home tilt ranked 39th in the nation in defense (320.2 yards per game allowed) and 100th in offense (350.2 total yards per game).

Michigan State at Rutgers odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:10 a.m. ET.

Money line: Michigan State -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Rutgers +155 (bet $100 to win $155)
Against the spread (ATS): Michigan State -3.5 (-115) | Rutgers +3.5 (-107)
Over/Under (O/U): 49.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Michigan State at Rutgers odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Michigan State 24, Rutgers 17

Money line

The lean here is on MSU, but PASS on anything more expensive than -175.

Against the spread

The Scarlet Knights are 1-5 ATS in their last half-dozen games as home underdogs. The road team is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings between MSU and RU.

Look for the Spartans to grind out an advantage in the ground game. RB Kenneth Walker III totes a 6.8-yards-per-carry average and 8 rushing scores into this game. Michigan State is road-tested after wins at Northwestern and Miami (Fla.). Save for two weeks back – in a low-scoring overtime win against Nebraska, MSU has shown enough on offense to warrant the 3-and-a-hook.

BACK THE SPARTANS -3.5 (-115).

Over/Under

The Under is 6-2 in the last eight series meetings.

On what is forecasted as a breezy day in Piscataway, look for enough of a chance of a 40-45-point game to warrant perhaps a partial-unit play on the UNDER 49.5 (-110).

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Ohio State at Rutgers odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Ohio State Buckeyes at Rutgers Scarlet Knights odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The No. 10 Ohio State Buckeyes (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) and Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-1, 0-1) meet Saturday at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Ohio State vs. Rutgers odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

The Buckeyes fell to Oregon at home Sept. 11. The struggles of the defense and shaky play at quarterback were cause for concern. Head coach Ryan Day made the switch from QB C.J. Stroud to QB Kyle McCord for the Akron game, and they won 59-7. But it remains to be seen if the ship is righted.

The Scarlet Knights took their first loss of the season last Saturday, falling at Michigan but easily covering as 20-point underdogs in a 20-13 loss to move to 4-0 ATS. Rutgers has had surprising defense, allowing just 13.5 points per game (PPG) to rank seventh in the nation.

Rankings according to the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Ohio State at Rutgers odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:44 p.m. ET.

Money line: Ohio State -650 (bet $650 to win $100) | Rutgers +440 (bet $100 to win $440)
Against the spread (ATS): Ohio State -15.5 (-108) | Rutgers +15.5 (-112)
Over/Under (O/U): 58.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Ohio State at Rutgers odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Ohio State 34, Rutgers 24

Money line

Ohio State (-650) should be able to push past Rutgers in this road game, but hardly anything has been a certainty for this Buckeyes squad. Shaky tackling, mistakes and inconsistent quarterback play have plagued this very young Ohio State team.

You can’t risk six and a half times your return on this developing team.

AVOID.

Against the spread

RUTGERS +15.5 (-112) would have been an unfathomable pick in recent seasons, but that’s where we’re at with Ohio State right now. The Buckeyes are championship-caliber one minute, and high school-caliber the next. Eventually the mistakes will be in the rear-view mirror, but OSU will get a stern test on the road against a team which has covered all four of its outings to date.

Over/Under

UNDER 58.5 (-110) is worth a small-unit play here. Rutgers has played suffocating defense, including last weekend at Michigan.

Ohio State has the tools to blow the doors off of Rutgers, but the offense has made plenty of mistakes. The Buckeyes defense has struggled, but the Scarlet Knights aren’t much of a threat on offense, especially in the pass game.

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Rutgers at Michigan odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Sunday’s Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigian Wolverines odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-0) and No. 19 Michigan Wolverines (3-0) meet Saturday in their Big Ten Conference opener at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Rutgers at Michigan odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

The Scarlet Knights have been impressive in three wins, including a 61-14 win in the opener Sept. 4 vs. Temple, and 45-13 vs. an FCS Delaware last weekend. In its only road test, Rutgers passed, 17-7, at Syracuse as 2.5-point favorites, and they’re 3-0 against the spread (ATS).

The Wolverines, No. 19 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports, are also 3-0 ATS to date, including a 63-10 beatdown against Northern Illinois. Michigan is averaging 514.7 total yards per game while rolling up 350.3 rushing yards per contest.

Rutgers at Michigan odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 4:01 p.m. ET.

Money line: Rutgers +750 (bet $100 to win $750) | Michigan -1400 (bet $1,400 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Rutgers +20.5 (-112) | Michigan -20.5 (-108)
Over/Under (O/U): 50.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Rutgers at Michigan odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Michigan 34, Rutgers 20

Money line

Michigan (-1450) will cost you 14.5 times your potential return, and as well as they have played during the non-conference schedule, that’s way too much risk against a fellow unbeaten conference team.

AVOID.

Against the spread

RUTGERS +20.5 (-112) is worth a look catching more than 20 points. The Scarlet Knights have been good enough offensively, but it’s the defensive side of the ball where they have excelled. Rutgers is allowing just 261.7 total yards per game, and they have yielded just 11.3 PPG.

Michigan -20.5 (-108) will certainly score in this one, especially at home, but Rutgers +20.5 (-112) is easily the best team they have seen so far, and yes, that includes Washington.

Over/Under

OVER 49.5 (-112) is the lean, but only make a small-unit wager on this one. Both of these teams have allowed just 11.3 PPG to date. Still, this is the conference opener, and not a game against an FCS foe or a MAC opponent, so you can expect a little more in the way of points here.

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Rutgers at Syracuse odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Rutgers at Syracuse odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-0) visit the Syracuse Orange (1-0) for a 2 p.m. ET Saturday game at Carrier Dome. Below, we look at the Rutgers vs. Syracuse odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

Rutgers is coming off a 61-14 rout of Temple in its season opener. The Scarlet Knights capitalized on five Owls turnovers and the RU defense shut down Temple in clutch situations as the Owls went a combined 3-for-15 on third and fourth downs. A now-up-tempo Rutgers offense had six touchdown drives that took 2:30 or less of clock time.

Syracuse defeated Ohio 29-9 in its season opener. The Orange ran their way to the road win, piling up 6.4 yards per carry. The win was SU’s first since Sept. 26 last season to end an eight-game losing skid.

Rutgers at Syracuse odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 5 p.m. ET.

Money line: Rutgers -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Syracuse +102 (bet $100 to win $102)
Against the spread (ATS): Rutgers -1.5 (-115) | Syracuse +1.5 (-107)
Over/Under (O/U): 51.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)

Rutgers at Syracuse odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Syracuse 28, Rutgers 24

Money line

Peg SYRACUSE (+102) as a slight value in a bet the public has surrounded. The Orange are 7-1 straight up and 5-3 against the spread across their last eight home openers. The home team is 9-4 ATS in the last 13 games of this one-time annual Big East series.

Rutgers figures to be situationally overestimated coming off its plus-5 turnover game a week ago.

Against the spread

PASS, and instead take the leverage of Syracuse on the money line.

Over/Under

This game seems most destined for 21-28 points per side. In general, we’ll tip our hats to the public, but on the fair possibility of overtime and on the Knights’ ability to clock a quick score late, consider a partial-unit play on the OVER 51.5 (-115).

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Temple at Rutgers odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Temple at Rutgers odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Temple Owls will travel to take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights Saturday night of Week 1 after their Thursday matchup was postponed and relocated. The game is now set to kick off at noon ET and will be held at SHI Stadium. Below, we look at the Temple vs. Rutgers odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

Temple is coming off an unimpressive season in the American Athletic Conference. The Owls were 1-6 on the season with all their games coming in conference play. Their one win was at home over South Florida.

Already giving a slight edge as the favorite now at home, Rutgers, despite not being a top-tier program, is fighting against Big Ten opponents.

The Scarlet Knights defeated Purdue and Michigan State while also putting up more than 20 points on Indiana and Ohio State last season. They’re a competent program, bringing in 18 three-star recruits.

Temple at Rutgers odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 12:50 p.m. ET.

Money line: Temple +470 (bet $100 to win $470) | Rutgers -700 (bet $700 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Temple +14.5 (-108) | Rutgers -14.5 (-112)
Over/Under (O/U): 52.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Temple at Rutgers odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Rutgers 31, Temple 14

Money line

PASS on the money line as it’s just too pricy.

There’s not much more to it than that. Rutgers was a bottom-tier Big Ten team, and I wouldn’t put the type of money on the line that it would take to return anything of importance.

Against the spread

“LEAN” to RUTGERS -14.5 (-112) to cover the lofty spread and win by 15 or more points. This is more of a bet against Temple as it was playing a top-heavy conference yet still managed to get pummeled.

While Rutgers didn’t have a win by more than 14 points last season, it managed to take down quality opponents. The Scarlet Knights brought in recruits and should be ready to rock. The Big Ten is a different beast.

Temple lost each of its last four games by more than 20 points. Without much help inbound, expect Rutgers to cover Saturday.

Over/Under

BET on the UNDER 52.5 (-115) as the best value in this game.

Both teams are coming off heavily restricted seasons due to COVID-19, so the rust should be there. We’ve seen games already in Week 1 be more defensive-minded as teams look to find their groove offensively.

Five of Rutgers top six recruits were on the defensive side of the ball. With that in mind, QB Noah Vedral is back and had just 9 touchdowns in seven games last season.

Temple scored 42 over their last four games last season. This one should be a low-scoring affair and even a 35-17 final seems like a high number for these two sides.

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March Madness: Houston vs. Rutgers odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Sunday’s Houston Cougars vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights odds and lines, with March Madness Round 2 picks and predictions.

The second-seeded Houston Cougars (25-3) take on the 10th-seeded Rutgers Scarlet Knights (16-11) in a Midwest Region second-round game Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium and will be aired on TBS. Below, we analyze the Houston-Rutgers odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.

AAC Tournament champion Houston had no problem beating 15th-seeded Cleveland State 87-56 in the first round Friday. Junior G Quentin Grimes’ game-high 18 points led six Cougars in double figures as they won their eighth game in a row. The Cougars led 37-29 at the half and outscored the Vikings 50-27 in the second half to cover as 20.5-point favorites.

There is a concern regarding starting PG DeJon Jarreau, who played only 41 seconds after suffering a hip pointer. The senior averages 10.6 PPG, 4.2 APG and a team-high 1.4 SPG. Saturday, head coach Kelvin Sampson said that Jarreau is “gonna give it a go” for the second-round matchup.

Rutgers, in its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1991, defeated No. 7 seed Clemson 60-56 Friday. With the game tied at 55, senior G Geo Baker drilled a 3 with 3:48 remaining and hit a layup with 10 seconds to go to seal the win. Baker finished with 13 points as did senior G Jacob Young and junior G Caleb McConnell for the Scarlet Knights, who covered as 2.5-point favorites. Rutgers outrebounded the Tigers 41-32 behind 10 apiece from McConnell and junior C Myles Johnson.

Houston is ranked No. 6 in the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports. Rutgers, which finished sixth in the Big Ten, was ranked as high as 14th earlier in the season.

The winner advances to a Sweet 16 matchup against either No. 3 seed West Virginia or 11th-seeded Syracuse, who also play Sunday.

Houston vs. Rutgers: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:35 a.m. ET.

Money line: Houston -400 (bet $400 to win $100) | Rutgers +310 (bet $100 to win $310)
Against the spread/ATS: Houston -8 (-110) | Rutgers +8 (-110)
Over/Under: 131.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Houston vs. Rutgers: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Houston 75, Rutgers 64

Money line (ML)

AVOID. Betting Houston (-400) will cost four times your potential profit, which is definitely not worth the risk.

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Against the spread (ATS)

HOUSTON -8 (-110) is the STRONGEST PLAY – 1½ times your usual wager. The Cougars can not only score, averaging 78.0 PPG, they feature the country’s No. 1 defense in opponents’ field-goal percentage at 37.1%. They limited Cleveland State, the MAC tourney champion, to 17-for-44 shooting from the field in Friday’s win. Houston also ranks second in points allowed at 57.8 PPG and fourth in opponents’ 3-point percentage at 27.8%.

Don’t worry if Jarreau can’t play or isn’t 100%. Houston managed just fine without him against Cleveland State.

ATS records: Houston 14-12-1 | Rutgers 19-8

Over/Under (O/U)

Back the OVER 131.5 (-110). The Cougars are averaging 83.4 PPG over their current 8-game win streak, while yielding 57.6 PPG.

When the Scarlet Knights faced the top-three scoring teams in the Big Ten, they allowed 79 and 77 in two games vs. Iowa, 90 and 88 points to Illinois, and 80 and 79 points to Ohio State.

O/U records: Houston 12-14-1 | Rutgers 14-13

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JOHNNY PARLAY’S RECORD	W-L	SP	ROI
College hoops since Jan. 1	71-63-1	32-35	+1.9.25
2021 record (all sports)	91-77-1	44-38	+12.25
–SP: Strongest plays; ROI*: Return on investment

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March Madness: San Diego State vs. Syracuse odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Friday’s San Diego State Aztecs vs. Syracuse Orange odds and lines, with March Madness Round 1 picks and predictions.

The 10-seed Syracuse Orange (16-9) meet the 6-seed San Diego State Aztecs (23-4) Friday in the first round of the Midwest Regional at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Tip-off is set for 9:40 p.m. ET and is airing on CBS. Below, we analyze the Syracuse-San Diego State odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.

The Aztecs tore up the Mountain West Conference this season, winning both the regular-season and conference tourney championships.

San Diego State is riding a 14-game winning streak with an average score of 78.8-60.4 and covered in nine of those victories.

Syracuse was eliminated from the ACC Tournament 72-69 loss to West Regional 4-seed Virginia by a buzzer-beater as 4.5-point underdogs, but they covered for a fourth straight game.

This is Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim’s 35th NCAA Tournament appearance and third straight while San Diego State is making its second appearance in head coach Brian Dutcher’s fourth year on the job.

San Diego State vs. Syracuse: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:45 p.m. ET.

Money line: Syracuse +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | San Diego State -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Syracuse +3 (-110) | San Diego State -3 (-110)
Over/Under: 138.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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San Diego State vs. Syracuse: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Syracuse 74, San Diego State 69

Money line (ML)

As I said in this week’s Bet Slippin’ Podcast, San Diego State (-160) is ranked 337th in defensive 3-point attempt rate.

And if the Aztecs let Syracuse guard Buddy Boeheim and Co. chuck 3-pointers, the Orange are going to roll them.

Boeheim is one of the hottest shooters entering the tournament and has connected on 46.1% of threes in the past 11 games. His father, Jim, whose Hall of Fame resume speaks for itself, come tourney time: ‘Cuse is always a threat to make a run.

I lean SYRACUSE (+135) for a quarter-unit only because the Orange plus the points is a wiser play.

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Against the spread (ATS)

Definitely BET SYRACUSE +3 (-110) heavier than or instead of the money line.

The Orange have covered four straight NCAA Tournament games as an underdog. Also, the Aztecs are starting to show some cracks in their armor as they are just 1-4 ATS in their last five games.

Over/Under (O/U)

This game is ripe to go OVER 138.5 (-110). Both teams play up-tempo and shoot threes at an above-average rate.

As a product of Jim Boeheim’s 2-3 zone defense, Syracuse is ranked 327th in defensive 3-point attempt rate, which is trouble against a San Diego State team ranked 25th in 3-point shooting.

Finally, the market has steamed this total up from a 137.5-point opener and I’d rather follow the market than fade it. BET OVER 138.5 (-110) for 1 unit.

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March Madness: Clemson vs. Rutgers odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Friday’s Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Clemson Tigers odds and lines, with March Madness Round 1 picks and predictions.

The 11-seed Rutgers Scarlet Knights (15-11) meet the 7-seed Clemson Tigers (16-7) in the first round of the Midwest Regional Friday at 9:20 p.m. ET at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Below, we analyze the Rutgers-Clemson odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.

Clemson was upset 67-64 as an 8-point favorite by Miami last Wednesday in the second round of the ACC Tournament. It was the Tigers’ second loss in their last three games following a five-game win streak; they’re 4-4 against the spread over their last eight games.

The Scarlet Knights drubbed Indiana 61-50 in the second round of the Big 10 Tournament only to get shellacked by eventual conference champion No. 2 Illinois 90-68 in the quarterfinals.

Rutgers started the season with a six-game win streak that was punctuated by a 91-88 upset of then-No. 13 Illinois. It finished the regular season 3-4 straight up and 4-3 ATS in the final seven games.

This is only the second NCAA Tournament appearance for Clemson in the last 10 seasons while Rutgers hasn’t been to the Big Dance since 1991.

Clemson vs. Rutgers: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 9:15 p.m. ET.

Money line: Rutgers -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Clemson +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
Against the spread/ATS: Rutgers -1.5 (-110) | Clemson +1.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 125.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Clemson vs. Rutgers: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Clemson 65, Rutgers 60

Money line (ML)

Neither team gets to the charity stripe a lot, but Clemson is 31st in free-throw percentage and Rutgers is 336th so I have questions on whether or not the Scarlet Knights can close out a tight game.

Furthermore, according to Ken Pom, Clemson is 20th in adjusted defensive efficiency, and Rutgers is 289th in 3-point percentage and 284th in 3-point attempt rate.

The Scarlet Knights not being able to space the floor and being unwilling to attack the basket because of poor free-throw shooting should make the job easier for the Clemson defense.

TAKE CLEMSON (+105) for 1.25 units.

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Against the spread (ATS)

PASS unless it gets up to Clemson +2 or higher because I’d rather just take the Tigers to win outright at plus-money than get only a point of insurance.

Over/Under (O/U)

Rutgers-Clemson figures to be a “rock fight” between two slow-paced teams that play better defense than offense.

That is accounted for in BetMGM‘s projected total for this game and I’m hesitant to follow a crowd of bettors that have steamed this number down from a 128-point opener.

I lean Under 125.5 (-105) but ultimately have to PASS because of the line movement.

Want some action on this game or others? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

More college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin

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