Northwestern vs. Rutgers Predictions, Picks & Odds Week 1: Offenses Can Limbo Below Low Total
See why we lean towards the Under in the season opener between Northwestern and Rutgers in our prediction based on the best college football odds.
Our best sports betting apps expect a slugfest as the total opened small and was bet down even smaller for Sunday’s game between Northwestern and Rutgers.
With two teams coming off abysmal seasons offensively, has the total dropped enough from its opening position to take the value away from the Under?
Here is our best Northwestern vs. Rutgers prediction and college football picks (odds via our best college football betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Northwestern vs. Rutgers prediction: Week 1
Under 39.5 (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Both Northwestern and Rutgers finished 2022 ranked among the bottom four FBS teams in scoring, with Rutgers mustering just 13.0 points per game. Northwestern was a shade worse, at 12.8 PPG.
Neither defense was very good, with both squads allowing more than 28 PPG to opponents. But given the ineptitude of both offenses a year ago, it seems the defenses should set up for favorable days Sunday.
Now in his fourth year of his second stint at Rutgers, head coach Greg Schiano should've had time to install the defense and personnel he needs to be successful consistently on that side of the ball. Although Schiano’s D got lit up in several games last year, it largely fared well against mediocre teams in 2022. Rutgers went 4-2 in matchups where its offense scored more than 16 points.
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Northwestern had more off-field turmoil over the past few months than most programs experience in a decade, so it wouldn’t be surprising if this group is sluggish out of the gate. Ryan Hilinski is an experienced but unimpressive Wildcats quarterback.
Given the expected inefficiencies of both offenses and the new running clock rule after first downs in college football, this battle between middling Big Ten foes sets up for plenty of long, fruitless possessionsã—an Under bettor’s dream.
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Northwestern vs. Rutgers best odds
DraftKings (-110)
| DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | bet365 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 39.5 | Under 39.5 | Under 39.5 | Under 39.5 | Under 39.5 |
| -110 | -105 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
We’re seeing Under 39.5 across this board on the total, with a standard -110 on both sides of the number. Considering neither side should break 20 points in this contest, play the Under down to 37.5.
Note that bettors in Illinois or New Jersey may find trouble accessing lines in general on this matchup due to local regulations in those states.
Northwestern vs. Rutgers odds
Northwestern vs. Rutgers odds analysis
Rutgers opened as a 6.5-point home favorite and remained wedged into that spot across best sports betting sites. Most books offer -110 odds, but FanDuel has Rutgers at -112. A whopping 64% of spread wagers came in on Rutgers, but the books seem hesitant to move the line off that -6.5 mark.
The total opened at 40.5 but dropped by a full point across the board. 52% of total wagers went Under the total.
Northwestern vs. Rutgers game info
- When: Sunday, Sept. 3, noon ET
- Where: SHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ
- How to watch: CBS
- Weather: 80 degrees, 0% chance of precipitation, 6-mph winds
Northwestern vs. Rutgers prediction made Friday, Sept. 1 at 2:28 p.m. ET.
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