Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Wisconsin Badgers Picks and Predictions October 12th 2024

SHI Stadium in Piscataway is the setting for this week seven matchup between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Kick-off is set for 12:00 ET, and the game can be seen on BTN. The Scarlet Knights are the -2.5 point favorites at home, with the over/under line currently at 39.5 points. Wisconsin enters the game with a 3-2 record, while Rutgers has been impressive with a 4-1 start to the season.

Wisconsin vs. Rutgers Key Information

Wisconsin enters Week 7 with a 3-2 record, ranked 54th in our CFB power rankings. They have a 55.4% chance of becoming bowl-eligible but just a 0.1% chance of winning the Big Ten. The Badgers are 2-1 at home and 0-1 on the road this season.

Against the spread, Wisconsin is 1-3, with a +5 average scoring margin. They are 1-1 ATS as the favorite and 0-2 as the underdog.

The over/under line for this week is 39.5 points, the lowest they’ve faced this season. Wisconsin’s over/under record is 3-1, with their games averaging 50.2 points and an average line of 49.8 points.

Wisconsin’s offense has been underwhelming this season, ranking 86th in our offensive power rankings. They are 56th in scoring, with 27.6 points per game, and their rushing attack is averaging 170 yards per game on 38.8 attempts.

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Tawee Walker leads the team with 241 rushing yards and six touchdowns, averaging 4 yards per carry. Quarterback Braedyn Locke has thrown for 664 yards, with five touchdowns and three interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 86. Vinny Anthony II leads the receivers with 206 yards and two touchdowns.

Wisconsin’s defense is coming off a strong performance, allowing just six points in their 52-6 win over Purdue. They gave up only 10 first downs and 217 total yards, including 100 rushing yards on 25 attempts and 117 passing yards.

On the season, Wisconsin ranks 37th nationally, giving up 22.6 points per game. They’ve allowed 137.8 rushing yards per game and 181.2 passing yards, with opposing quarterbacks completing 61.9% of their passes.

The Scarlet Knights Can Win If…

Rutgers enters Week 7 against Wisconsin with a 4-1 record, ranked 44th in our power rankings. They have a 95.2% chance of becoming bowl-eligible. At home, they are 2-0, while their road record stands at 1-1.

The Scarlet Knights are 3-0-1 against the spread, with an average scoring margin of +13.6 points per game. They are 2-0 ATS at home and have covered both times they’ve been favored.

Rutgers’ over/under record is 2-2, with their games averaging 45.2 points. Their average over/under line is 42.8 points, and this week’s line is set at 39.5 points.

Rutgers’ offense ranks 61st in our power rankings heading into week 7, averaging 29.4 points per game. Their strength lies in the run game, with 207.2 rushing yards per game on 41.2 attempts, ranking 34th nationally.

Kyle Monangai leads the rushing attack with 667 yards, averaging 5 yards per carry, and has scored six touchdowns. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis has thrown for 947 yards and eight touchdowns, with a passer rating of 88.

Rutgers’ defense has been a strong point this season, allowing just 15.8 points per game, ranking 14th nationally. In their recent game against Nebraska, they gave up only 14 points, but still lost 14-7. Nebraska managed 267 total yards, including 103 rushing yards on 39 attempts and 164 passing yards, while Rutgers’ defense also forced an interception.

Opponents are averaging 159.4 rushing yards per game against Rutgers, while quarterbacks have a passer rating of just 65.7, the 18th-lowest in the country. Rutgers’ defense has faced 30.8 rushing attempts per game and 30.2 passing attempts, allowing a completion rate of 55.4% and 176.4 passing yards per game, which ranks 34th nationally.

Rutgers is the -2.5 point favorite at home in their week seven matchup against Wisconsin. We have a projected final score of 25-19 in favor of Rutgers, so we recommend taking the Scarlet Knights to cover the spread.

With the over/under line set at 39.5 points, our projection of 44 total points suggests that taking the over is the best play for this game.

Wisconsin Hopes WR Position Isn’t Depleted Against Rutgers

The Wisconsin Badgers face a potential challenge in their upcoming Big Ten matchup against Rutgers, as injuries could leave them thin at the wide receiver position. The Badgers (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) will travel to Piscataway, N.J., on Saturday to take on the Scarlet Knights (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten), but they may have to do so without several key players in their receiving corps.

During last week’s dominant 52-6 victory over Purdue, three Wisconsin wide receivers—Will Pauling, Bryson Green, and Tyrell Henry—sustained lower-body injuries in the first half. These injuries raise concerns about whether any of them will be available for Saturday’s game.

Will Pauling, a key target in Wisconsin’s passing game, ranks second on the team with 21 receptions for 202 yards and a touchdown this season. Bryson Green has contributed 12 catches for 154 yards, while Tyrell Henry has added one catch for 12 yards.

Head coach Luke Fickell expressed uncertainty about their availability, noting that it would depend on their ability to practice during the week.

“We’ll take it day by day,” Fickell said. “Hopefully, though, those guys will be able to go. But if they’re not able to practice, it’s really hard to think they’re going to perform in a game.”

Wisconsin’s Offensive Firepower

Despite the injuries, Wisconsin showcased its offensive firepower in the second half of last week’s game, outscoring Purdue 31-0. Quarterback Braedyn Locke had a career performance, completing 20 of 31 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns. Locke’s strong play helped the Badgers snap a two-game losing streak and regain confidence heading into their matchup against Rutgers.

If the injured wide receivers are unable to play, Locke will need to rely on other pass-catching options and potentially lean more on Wisconsin’s ground game. Fickell and his coaching staff will have to adjust their offensive strategy depending on which players are available.

Rutgers Defense Ready for the Challenge

Rutgers, coming off a narrow 14-7 loss to Nebraska, is known for its strong defense and will look to capitalize on any weakness in Wisconsin’s lineup. The Scarlet Knights’ defense recorded four sacks and held Nebraska to just 55 yards of offense in the second half last week. However, their own offensive struggles, including a 2-of-14 conversion rate on third downs, prevented them from securing the win.

Despite the loss, Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano remains focused on the challenges Wisconsin presents. Schiano knows his defense will need to be sharp against both the run and the pass.

“You know, we’ll create a plan on what they like to do offensively, but we’re going to have to stop the run and the pass,” Schiano said. “And then when you flip them over on defense, they are really well-coached. Very sound. Big up front. They can run at linebacker and (are) really experienced in the secondary. So definitely a great challenge.”

Key Player: Kyle Monangai

Rutgers will look to running back Kyle Monangai to drive their offense. Monangai ranks second in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game, averaging 133.4 yards per contest. However, he was held to just 78 yards on 19 attempts in the loss to Nebraska. Monangai has been a workhorse for the Scarlet Knights, racking up 667 yards and six touchdowns on 116 carries this season.

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell emphasized the importance of containing Monangai, calling him the key to Rutgers’ offensive success.

“I think he is, I wouldn’t say the heart of the team, but the heart of the offense, meaning that he’s going to get his touches,” Fickell said. “And as he goes, they go. … He’s a physical, downhill back.”

Wisconsin’s defense will need to focus on limiting Monangai’s impact if they hope to keep Rutgers from controlling the tempo of the game.

Wisconsin’s Edge in the Series

Wisconsin has historically dominated this matchup, winning all five previous meetings between the programs. Last season, the Badgers secured a 24-13 victory over Rutgers in Madison. However, with injuries affecting their receiving corps and Rutgers’ defense playing at a high level, this year’s game could present a tougher challenge.

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A Crucial Big Ten Battle

As both teams prepare for Saturday’s showdown, Wisconsin will be hoping to overcome potential depth issues at wide receiver while Rutgers looks to get back on track after a frustrating loss. The game will likely come down to which team can better execute its game plan, with Wisconsin’s ability to adapt to its injuries and Rutgers’ defense aiming to slow down the Badgers’ attack.

With Wisconsin trying to maintain momentum after their impressive win over Purdue and Rutgers looking to prove themselves as contenders in the Big Ten, Saturday’s matchup is poised to be an exciting and hard-fought battle.