Pick details
| MATCHUP | Rutgers Scarlet Knights | Boston College Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Spread | +3 -105 | -3 -115 |
| Moneyline | +136 | -162 |
| Total | Over 54.5 (-105) | Under 54.5 (-115) |
| Where | Alumni Stadium (Chestnut Hill, MA), Chestnut Hill, MA | |
| When | Friday, September 11, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:30 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN2 | |
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Boston College Eagles will meet Friday night in a non-conference matchup at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Let’s take a look at this matchup from a betting perspective.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Preview
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights finished the 2025 season with a 5-7 overall record and a 2-7 mark in Big Ten Conference play. Rutgers compiled a 4-3 home record and a 1-4 mark on the road. Head coach Greg Schiano enters his seventh season with the Scarlet Knights program.
*Rutgers played the team’s first game last week, suffering an embarrassing 37-21 loss at home to UMass.
The Rutgers offense was productive throughout the 2025 season. The Scarlet Knights scored 25.8 points per game (70th in the nation) and averaged 393.5 total yards per game, including 255.9 passing yards (30th in country) and 137.5 rushing yards. Rutgers displayed a balanced offensive attack and was effective throwing the football throughout much of the season.
Shifting our focus to the defensive side of the football, Rutgers allowed 33.8 points per game (121st in FBS) and 452.5 total yards per game, including 234.8 passing yards per contest. The Scarlet Knights struggled against the run in 2025, surrendering nearly 217.6 rushing yards per game which ranked an abysmal 129th in the nation.
Rutgers announced a quarterback change earlier this week. Junior AJ Surace has been named the team’s starting quarterback for Friday night’s game after replacing the ineffective Dylan Lonergan in the fourth quarter of last week’s loss to UMass. Surace completed 6 of 9 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown in relief.
Junior wide receiver KJ Duff played exceptionally well in last week’s loss to UMass, amassing a massive 9 receptions, 196 receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns.
Boston College Eagles Betting Preview
The Boston College Eagles finished the 2025 season with a 2-10 overall record and a 1-7 mark in ACC play. Boston College compiled a 1-6 home record and a 1-4 mark on the road. Head coach Bill O’Brien enters his third season with the Eagles looking for improvement after a difficult 2025 campaign. The Cincinnati Bearcats defeated Boston College last week by a score 34-15.
The Boston College offense struggled to find offensive consistency last season. The Eagles averaged 25.4 points per game and compiled 384.1 total yards per game, including 280.2 passing yards and 103.9 rushing yards. Boston College relied heavily on its passing attack as the ground game averaged only 3.3 yards per carry.
Defensively, Boston College allowed 34.8 points per game (123rd in country) and 457.4 total yards per contest. The Eagles had difficulty stopping opposing offenses throughout the season, particularly against the run where they allowed 192.3 rushing yards per game.
The Boston College offense features junior quarterback Mason McKenzie and sophomore wide receiver Javarius Green. McKenzie tallied 223 passing yards, 1 touchdown and 78 rushing yards in last week’s loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats, while Javarius Green added 6 receptions and 74 receiving yards.
Why the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will win.
• Wide receiver play. Junior wide receiver KJ Duff compiled 9 receptions, 196 receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns in last week’s season opening loss to UMass.
• Rutgers has gone 9-3 on the Over/Under after a loss over the last 12 games.
• Recent quarterback spark. AJ Surace completed 6 of 9 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown after entering last week’s game against UMass.
• The Scarlet Knights are 6-3 against the spread after a loss in their last 9 games.
Why the Boston College Eagles will win.
• Boston College is 7-4 against the spread in the team’s last 11 home games.
• Quarterback Mason McKenzie tallied 223 passing yards, 1 touchdown and 78 rushing yards in last week’s loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Boston College Eagles Prediction
In my view, this matchup favors the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Why? Yes, I am aware that Rutgers lost the team’s season opener in rather embarrassing fashion. With that said, let’s not over value a Boston College team that underachieved in 2025, compiling a dreadful 2-10 win-loss record. One of the reasons the Eagles played so poorly last season was an abysmal defense. With that said, I think Rutgers signal caller AJ Surace is able to find success in this one. I am backing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights plus the 3.5 points in this game.
Hans Geevers's Pick: Rutgers +3.5
