| MATCHUP | Rutgers Scarlet Knights | Northwestern Wildcats |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 2-4 | 5-1 |
| Spread | +16.5 -108 | -16.5 -112 |
| Moneyline | +550 | -800 |
| Total | Over 58.5 (-110) | Under 58.5 (-110) |
| Where | Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, Evanston, IL | |
| When | Saturday, October 24, 2026 | |
| Time | 12:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | Peacock | |
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Northwestern Wildcats meet Saturday in week 8 college football action at Ryan Field. Here’s a Rutgers vs. Northwestern Prediction. This article will include a Rutgers vs. Northwestern Pick.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Preview
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights beat Maryland, lost to Indiana, and they play Michigan next. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have lost 4 of their last 6 games. Dylan Lonergan is completing 58.3 percent of his passes for 1,066 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. KJ Duff and Ben Black III have combined for 921 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, while Jourdin Houston has 15 receptions.
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights’ ground game is averaging 137.5 yards per contest, and Antwan Raymond leads the way with 498 yards and 5 touchdowns. Defensively, Rutgers is allowing 31.8 points and 402.5 yards per game. Bradlee Jones leads the Rutgers Scarlet Knights with 31 tackles, Sekou Kromah has 2 sacks, and Moses Walker has 2 interceptions.
Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview
The Northwestern Wildcats beat Ball State and Michigan State, and they play Oregon next. The Northwestern Wildcats have won 5 of their last 6 games. Aidan Chiles is completing 70.5 percent of his passes for 1,398 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Griffin Wilde and Luke Dehnicke have combined for 690 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, while Alex Honig has 11 receptions.
The Northwestern Wildcats’ ground game is averaging 191.5 yards per contest, and Caleb Komolafe leads the way with 401 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, Northwestern is allowing 17 points and 368 yards per game. Braydon Brus leads the Northwestern Wildcats with 52 tackles, Michael Kilbane has 1.5 sacks, and Robert Fitzgerald has 2 interceptions.
Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win
- Northwestern has won each of its last 13 October games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Rutgers has lost seven of its last nine games against teams from Illinois.
- Rutgers has failed to cover the spread in each of its last 10 October games as an underdog against AP-ranked teams.
- The team ranked 24th in the AP Poll has covered the spread in each of its last three games.
- Northwestern has won the first half in each of its last six October games as a home favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
Why the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will win
- Rutgers has covered the spread in three of its last four games.
- Northwestern has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four games in October.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of Rutgers’ last eight October games against AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
- Twelve of Northwestern’s last 16 October games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
Northwestern Wildcats Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 8, Aidan Chiles ranks 9th amongst qualified players for passer rating (176.4) this season.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 8, KJ Duff ranks T3rd amongst FBS players for receiving touchdowns (9) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Northwestern ranks 5th among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (1.5).
- Northwestern ranks 8th among FBS teams for average point differential in third quarters this season (+6.0).
- Rutgers ranks T121st among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage against this season (75.0).
- Rutgers ranks 119th among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (31.8).
Rutgers vs Northwestern Prediction
Northwestern is the better team and playing in its fancy revamped stadium, but I’m still not eager to lay double digits with the Wildcats. It’s still Northwestern at the end of the day, and this is a look-ahead spot with Oregon, Iowa, and Ohio State on deck. Rutgers obviously has issues of its own, but it has covered 3 of its last 4 games, and that includes an outright road win over Maryland. Rutgers is showing signs of life on the offensive side and has a top-40 passing attack. I’ll grab the free touchdowns with Rutgers on the road.