2026 schedule
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
2026 season so far
Rutgers is 2-5 against the 51st-toughest schedule so far, scoring 28.7 and allowing 33.3 points per game (-4.6 per game).
In our opponent-adjusted ratings Rutgers ranks 83rd of 139 FBS teams overall — 54th on offense and 104th on defense. The offense carries this team more than the defense does.
Next up: vs Michigan in Week 9. We project Rutgers 22, Michigan 31 — Rutgers wins 28% of the time.
Projections are statistical estimates for entertainment and analysis only. They are not betting advice and nothing here guarantees any result.
Regular season
12 gamesMarket lines · Source: The Odds API, ESPN, Action Network · Updated Oct 29, 9:25 AM UTC. Shown for information; not an input to our projections.
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- vs
Massachusetts Minutemen
1-0 · SOS #138
Loss 21-37
Week 1
Our number· pregame
Rutgers by 21.4
Total 59.6
DraftKings
RUTG -29.5
Total 55.5
Final Massachusetts by 16. Massachusetts beat the spread. 58 points — over the 55.5. Our number was closer. Our total was closer.
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Market lines: Rutgers -29.25 (open Rutgers -30.5) · O/U 55 (open 54.5) · ML +2200 / -8000 · Rutgers 96% no-vig · model vs market -7.9 pts, -4 pct pts (Rutgers view)
BTN SHI Stadium - at
Boston College Eagles
1-1 · SOS #63
Loss 21-28
Week 2
Our number· pregame
dead even
Total 57.4
DraftKings
BC -3
Total 53.5
Final Boston College by 7. Boston College beat the spread. 49 points — under the 53.5. The book was closer. The book's total was closer.
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Market lines: Boston College -3 (open Boston College -3.5) · O/U 53.5 (open 54.5) · ML +134.5 / -159 · Boston College 59% no-vig · model vs market -2.6 pts, -8 pct pts (Boston College view)
ESPN2 Alumni Stadium (Chestnut Hill, MA) - vs
#12 USC Trojans
4-0 · SOS #25
Loss 35-42
Week 3
Our number· pregame
USC by 10.2
Total 57
DraftKings
USC -21
Total 59.5
Final USC by 7. Rutgers beat the spread. 77 points — over the 59.5. Our number was closer. The book's total was closer.
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Market lines: USC -21 (open USC -24.5) · O/U 59 (open 57.5) · ML -2700 / +1100 · Rutgers 8% no-vig · model vs market +10.8 pts, +17 pct pts (Rutgers view)
CBS SHI Stadium - vs
Howard Bison
1-3 · SOS #47
Win 58-7
Week 4
Our number· pregame
Rutgers by 31.1
Total 56.5
DraftKings
RUTG -42.5
Total 57.5
Final Rutgers by 51. Rutgers beat the spread. 65 points — over the 57.5. The book was closer. The book's total was closer.
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Market lines: Rutgers -42.25 · O/U 57.5 (open 55.25) · model vs market -11.2 pts (Rutgers view)
BTN SHI Stadium - vs
#6 Indiana Hoosiers
5-0 · SOS #31
Loss 15-47
Week 5
Our number· pregame
Indiana by 19.5
Total 58.3
DraftKings
IU -24.5
Total 56.5
Final Indiana by 32. Indiana beat the spread. 62 points — over the 56.5. The book was closer. Our total was closer.
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Market lines: Indiana -24.25 (open Indiana -23.25) · O/U 56.75 (open 54.5) · ML -2450 / +1100 · Rutgers 8% no-vig · model vs market +4.8 pts, +2 pct pts (Rutgers view)
Game-time weather: Clear, 55°F, Wind calm.Observed during the game · National Weather Service (KSMQ)BTN SHI Stadium - at
Maryland Terrapins
2-5 · SOS #40
Win 37-30
Week 7
Our number· pregame
Maryland by 4.2
Total 62.6
DraftKings
MD -5.5
Total 55.5
Final Rutgers by 7. Rutgers beat the spread. 67 points — over the 55.5. Our number was closer. Our total was closer.
21+ only where legal. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Market lines: Maryland -5.75 (open Maryland -4.5) · O/U 55.5 (open 58.75) · ML +175 / -209 · Maryland 65% no-vig · model vs market -1.6 pts, -4 pct pts (Maryland view)
Game-time weather: Mostly cloudy, 55°F, Wind 10 mph N.Observed during the game · National Weather Service (KCGS)BTN SECU Stadium - at
#24 Northwestern Wildcats
6-1 · SOS #43
Loss 14-42
Week 8
Our number· pregame
Northwestern by 11.3
Total 58.1
DraftKings
NU -15.5
Total 58.5
Final Northwestern by 28. Northwestern beat the spread. 56 points — under the 58.5. The book was closer. Our total was closer.
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Market lines: Northwestern -15.5 · O/U 58.5 · ML +525 / -800 · Northwestern 85% no-vig · model vs market -4.2 pts, -8 pct pts (Northwestern view)
Game-time weather: Mostly clear, 64°F, Wind 7 mph S.Observed during the game · National Weather Service (KPWK)Peacock Ryan Field - vs
Michigan Wolverines
4-3 · SOS #15
Sat, Oct 31, 4:30 PM
Week 9
Proj 22-31 · 28%
Our number
Michigan by 9
Total 53
DraftKings
MICH -14
Total 46.5
We're 5 points higher on Rutgers than the book. Shown for comparison only.
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Market lines: Michigan -14 · O/U 46.5 · ML -625 / +445 · Rutgers 18% no-vig · model vs market +5.0 pts, +10 pct pts (Rutgers view)
Kickoff forecast: Sunny, 58°F, Wind 5 mph N, 0% rain.Kickoff forecast · National Weather Service, updated Oct 29, 2:37 AM EDTBTN SHI Stadium - at
#25 Wisconsin Badgers
5-2 · SOS #22
Sat, Nov 7 · TBD
Week 10
Proj 18-31 · 20%
Our number
Wisconsin by 13
Total 49
Book line
Not posted
No book line posted yet.
Camp Randall Stadium - vs
Nebraska Cornhuskers
5-2 · SOS #32
Sat, Nov 14 · TBD
Week 11
Proj 22-37 · 17%
Our number
Nebraska by 15
Total 59
Book line
Not posted
No book line posted yet.
SHI Stadium - at
Penn State Nittany Lions
3-4 · SOS #46
Sat, Nov 21 · TBD
Week 12
Proj 23-34 · 24%
Our number
Penn State by 11
Total 57
Book line
Not posted
No book line posted yet.
Beaver Stadium - vs
Michigan State Spartans
2-6 · SOS #7
Sat, Nov 28 · TBD
Week 13
Proj 29-28 · 54%
Our number
Rutgers by 1
Total 57
Book line
Not posted
No book line posted yet.
SHI Stadium
Times shown in your local time
Rutgers Scarlet Knights stats: basic, advanced and situational
Power rating
-3.1
82nd in FBS
Adj. offense
28.2
pts vs avg defense
Adj. defense
31.3
pts allowed vs avg offense
Basic stats
Box-score numbers per game.
| Stat | 2026 | FBS rank |
|---|---|---|
| Points per gameEvery point scored, every game. | 28.7 | 69 / 138 |
| Points allowed per gameEvery point conceded, every game. | 33.3 | 128 / 138 |
| Yards per playScrimmage yards divided by scrimmage plays (sacks count as pass plays). | 6.30 | 50 / 138 |
| Yards per play allowedThe same measure for opponents. | 6.92 | 132 / 138 |
| Rushing yards per gameDesigned runs and scrambles. | 167.9 | 68 / 138 |
| Net passing yards per gamePassing yards minus sack yardage. | 250.4 | 43 / 138 |
| Rushing yards allowed per gameOpponents' rushing yards. | 206.3 | 127 / 138 |
| Net passing yards allowed per gameOpponents' net passing yards. | 215.0 | 85 / 138 |
| Turnovers per gameInterceptions thrown and fumbles lost. | 2.00 | 138 / 138 |
| Takeaways per gameInterceptions and fumble recoveries. | 0.71 | 93 / 138 |
| Sacks per gameSacks by this defense. | 1.43 | 111 / 138 |
| Sacks allowed per gameSacks taken by this offense. | 2.57 | 117 / 138 |
Advanced stats
Efficiency from play-by-play, garbage time removed: expected points added (EPA), success rate, explosiveness, havoc, finishing drives, field position and pace.
| Stat | 2026 | FBS rank |
|---|---|---|
| EPA per playExpected points added per snap, garbage time removed. Zero is average; +0.10 is very good. | +0.08 | 73 / 138 |
| EPA per play allowedExpected points the defense gives up per snap. Lower is better. | +0.25 | 137 / 138 |
| Success rateShare of plays that stay on schedule: 50% of the distance on 1st down, 70% on 2nd, all of it on 3rd and 4th. | 44.2% | 53 / 138 |
| Success rate allowedOpponents' success rate. | 49.5% | 136 / 138 |
| Explosive play rateRuns of 12+ yards and passes of 16+ yards, as a share of plays. | 12.7% | 68 / 138 |
| Explosive plays allowedThe same rate for opponents. | 17.4% | 136 / 138 |
| Havoc rateShare of snaps with a tackle for loss, sack, forced fumble, interception or pass break-up. | 12.7% | 102 / 138 |
| Havoc allowedHow often this offense suffers a havoc play. | 15.5% | 120 / 138 |
| Points per scoring opportunityFinishing drives: points per possession that reaches the opponent's 40. | 3.98 | 83 / 138 |
| Points per opportunity allowedHow well the defense holds once opponents cross its 40. | 4.74 | 131 / 138 |
| Average starting field positionWhere this offense's drives begin, on average. | own 29 | 93 / 138 |
| Opponents' starting field positionWhere opponents' drives begin. | own 32 | 121 / 138 |
| Offensive plays per game (pace)Scrimmage snaps per game; a tempo measure. | 66.4 | 67 / 138 |
Situational stats
Run vs pass splits, passing downs, third downs and the red zone.
| Stat | 2026 | FBS rank |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing EPA per playExpected points added on runs. | +0.11 | 52 / 138 |
| Passing EPA per playExpected points added on dropbacks, sacks included. | +0.04 | 89 / 138 |
| Rushing EPA allowedRun defense, per play. | +0.32 | 138 / 138 |
| Passing EPA allowedPass defense, per dropback. | +0.17 | 113 / 138 |
| Rushing success rateShare of runs that stay on schedule. | 46.4% | 48 / 138 |
| Passing success rateShare of dropbacks that stay on schedule. | 41.9% | 65 / 138 |
| Run stuff rateRuns stopped at or behind the line. | 16.0% | 49 / 138 |
| Passing-down success rateSuccess on 2nd-and-8+ and 3rd/4th-and-5+. | 37.5% | 18 / 138 |
| Passing-down success allowedHow often opponents escape long-yardage downs. | 36.7% | 125 / 138 |
| Third-down conversion rateThird downs converted by the play itself. | 40.4% | 76 / 138 |
| Third-down rate allowedOpponents' third-down conversions. | 42.5% | 105 / 138 |
| Red-zone touchdown rateDrives reaching the 20 that end in a touchdown. | 65.5% | 50 / 138 |
| Red-zone TD rate allowedOpponents' red-zone touchdown rate. | 65.6% | 97 / 138 |
Power rating = projected margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field, from our opponent-adjusted efficiency model. How it works and how accurate it has been.
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