Picking up where I left off in Part 1, this article will update my game-by-game predictions for the final six games of the Rutgers football season. It also includes projected point spreads and extended analysis for each game.
Saturday, October 18th- Rutgers vs. Oregon
Initial Score Prediction: Oregon 45, Rutgers 30
Projected Line: Oregon -13.5
The Scarlet Knights return home from a tough trip out to Washington for a primetime homecoming game against a big-time opponent. Rutgers has never taken on Oregon before, but the Ducks were at the top
of the Big Ten last season, and although there may be a slight step back from last season, it will not be by much.
Dante Moore will take over at quarterback, with the double-headed monster of Mekhi Hughes and Noah Whittington at running back. The receiving core lost a lot of its production, with its top two receivers and top tight end now in the NFL, but Oregon’s pass-happy style of football will likely allow for the next guys to step up.
On defense, Oregon brings back some of its top players, including 2024’s leading tackler, Bryce Boettcher, and sack leader Matayo Uiaglalelei. Linebacker Teitum Tuioti and transfer safety Dillon Theineman are expected to play big roles as well.
Having the homecoming game in the evening will create quite the buzz at SHI Stadium, but the Ducks are no strangers to big games and will quiet the crowd. Rutgers is no longer a Big Ten pushover and plays like it, but Oregon is too much on both sides of the ball for the Scarlet Knights to keep up with.
Updated Score Prediction: Oregon 42, Rutgers 24
Projected Record: Rutgers 4-3, 1-3 Big Ten
Saturday, Oct. 25th- Rutgers at Purdue
Initial Score Prediction: Rutgers 31, Purdue 21
Projected Line: Rutgers -7.5
Rutgers will look to bounce back from a disheartening loss against a top contender with their first meeting against Purdue since the 2020 season. The Boilermakers will look completely different this season, with over 40 transfers joining the program under new head coach Barry Odom, who helped turn around the UNLV Rebels before coming to West Lafayette.
Purdue recently named Ryan Browne as its starting quarterback, after Browne transferred to UNC for the spring only to return for the fall season. He won the competition over three other quarterbacks, including two transfers. The offensive line and receiving room look very different, while standout running back Devin Mockobee will return for his senior season. On defense, Purdue brings in a multitude of transfers on all three levels, two of the biggest being tackle TJ Lindsey from Auburn and edge rusher CJ Nunally from Akron.
The Scarlet Knights bring back a lot of continuity and experience that the Boilermakers do not have, and that should show up when the teams square off in late October. Rutgers is 2-0 in its brief series history against Purdue, and that should continue this season. Look for an emphatic win that pushes the Scarlet Knights closer to bowl eligibility.
Score Prediction: Rutgers 31, Purdue 17
Projected Record: 5-3, 2-3 Big Ten
Saturday, Nov. 1st: Rutgers at Illinois
Initial Score Prediction: Illinois 34, Rutgers 24
Projected Line: Illinois -9.5
The Illini are expected to be a dark horse for the College Football Playoff this season, and they may outright be a contender, with a lot of returning production and a favorable schedule. Last season, Rutgers nearly got their first ranked victory in over a decade against the Fighting Illini, but fell short due to Greg Schiano attempting to ice the kicker from long range, giving Illinois a chance to rethink a long field goal and eventually score the game-winning touchdown with mere seconds left in the game.
This year, Illinois projects to be even better, starting the season ranked at #12 in the AP poll. Signal-caller Luke Altmeyer is returning for his senior season, and he will have a strong running back duo in Aidan Laughery and Kaden Feagin. Although the Illini lost their top two receivers, their next two best receivers and tight end contributed in 2024 and are expected to step up this season. They also added former West Virginia receiver Hudson Clement, who had close to 750 receiving yards for the Mountaineers last season.
On defense, Illinois brings back linebacker Gabe Jacas, who led the team with eight sacks in 2024, and defensive backs Xavier Scott and Matthew Bailey, who are among the best in the conference. The defensive line brought in a few high-impact transfers, including a couple from Wisconsin. James Thompson has the potential to be an NFL defensive end, while Curt Neal is a massive tackle who should shore up the interior.
The Scarlet Knights will go into this game as the underdog, but this will be their best chance to break their long losing streak against ranked opponents. However, the Illini have their eyes set on bigger things and will not give this game away. Rutgers hangs around, but drops to 5-4 with a massive home game against Maryland looming.
Updated Score Prediction: Illinois 34, Rutgers 21
Projected Record: 5-4, 2-4 Big Ten
Saturday, Nov. 8th- Rutgers vs. Maryland
Initial Score Prediction: Rutgers 34, Maryland 17
Projected Line: Rutgers -10.5
The line may seem overambitious, but Maryland will likely be one of the worst teams in the Big Ten this season, if not the worst. Already coming off a 4-8 season, Maryland replaced their starting quarterback, lost its top two receivers, its top running back, and several of its top defensive players. The defense allowed more than 30 points per game in 2024, and no notable transfers have come in to bolster a pass rush that was the worst in the Big Ten a season ago.
Maryland brings in Justyn Martin, coming in from UCLA, and one of the top 2025 quarterback recruits in Malik Washington, who are competing for the starting role. The Terrapins have brought in transfers Jalil Farooq (Oklahoma) and Kaleb Webb (Tennessee) to bolster their receiving core, as well as returning Octavian Smith Jr., who finished fourth on the team last year with 315 yards from 30 catches. Nolan Ray was a solid number-two back, and Dorian Fleming could be a solid red-zone target at tight end. The offensive line only returns two starters, although they added Rahtrel Perry, who is seen as one of the top O-line transfers in the country.
On defense, Neeo Avery and Trey Reddick will look to improve a weak pass rush, while the secondary should be solid, led by transfer cornerbacks Jamare Glasker and Dontay Joyner, with Jalen Huskey and Lavain Scruggs at safety. Inside linebackers Michael Harris and Daniel Wingate will occupy the middle after veteran linebackers Kellan Wyatt and Caleb Wheatland left in the transfer portal.
It just seems that across the board, the Terrapins lost a lot of their best players from an already very subpar team, and didn’t do anything too impressive in the transfer portal outside of a few additions to make up for it. I am unable to see how things turn around this year, even with their soft schedule, but even if they do, the Scarlet Knights boast much more continuity and stronger transfer additions. Rutgers is the better team on both sides of the ball, and they get a much-needed resounding win to clinch bowl eligibility, with the offense going for over 400 yards and 37 points.
Updated Score Prediction: Rutgers 37, Maryland 20
Projected Record: 6-4, 3-4 Big Ten
Saturday, Nov. 22nd- Rutgers at Ohio State
Initial Score Prediction: Ohio State 41, Rutgers 17
Projected Line: Ohio State -19.5
Compared to years past, this line is very tame. The Scarlet Knights were an 18.5-point home underdog against the previously top-ranked Buckeyes in 2023. Ohio State ended up winning the game by 19 points, despite Rutgers leading 9-7 at the half, showing how good Vegas is at projecting some of these games.
The Buckeyes replace nearly their entire starting defense and many key components on offense, but bring back stars in the receiving game, headlined by Jeremiah Smith and supported by Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss. Ohio State will start many new faces at offensive line and a new duo at running back, but all of these players are either key reserves who were strong recruits or high-level transfers. Purdue transfer Max Klare should also be able to have a role carved out after leading the Boilermakers in receiving as a tight end in 2024.
Caleb Downs returns at safety to lock down the secondary, while Sonny Styles is the team’s most experienced linebacker. Kenyatta Jackson, Kayden McDonald, and Eddrick Houston will join UNC transfer Beau Atkinson in creating the next formidable Ohio State defensive line, while Jermaine Matthews Jr. and Davison Igbinosun will start at the cornerback positions. The Rutgers offense gets a rude wake-up call after posting 37 points against the Terrapins, with Kaliakmanis flushed in the pocket in a hostile environment.
Most importantly, former five-star recruit and Alabama transfer Julian Sayin will make his first start in the highly anticipated opener against Texas. By this time in the season, Sayin will have eased in, with as talented an offense as any in the country. Ohio State will have been majorly tested twice by Penn State and the Longhorns, and even if they falter in both of those, they should be able to get by Rutgers, especially at home.
Updated Score Prediction: Ohio State 35, Rutgers 14
Projected Record: 6-5, 3-5 Big Ten
Saturday, Nov. 29th- Rutgers vs. Penn State
Initial Score Prediction: Penn State 35, Rutgers 21
Projected Line: Penn State -17.5
After the Ohio State game, Rutgers returns home for a familiar foe that projects to be even better than they usually are. The Penn State Nittany Lions have started the season ranked #2 in the AP poll, just behind Texas and ahead of the Buckeyes. Expectations are high, but the Nittany Lions return proven starters in just about every position while improving their biggest flaw by getting some of the best portal receivers.
Drew Allar returns for his senior season, surrounded by All-Big Ten tailbacks Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, who might be the best running back duo in all of college football. The three transfer additions at receiver in Kyron Hudson, Devonte Ross, and Trebor Pena, all starred at their previous schools and will look to bring Penn State to the next level offensively, while the offensive line projects to be at the top of the conference once again.
On defense, Penn State returns Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant on the defensive line, brings in UNC transfer Amare Campbell to pair with Tony Rojas at linebacker, and retains Zakee Wheatley, Zion Tracy, and AJ Harris in their secondary. Bringing in Jim Knowles from Ohio State to coach this talented unit puts them over the top. The Nittany Lions may end up with a loss in the regular season (they should be able to take down at least one of Ohio State or Oregon), but it won’t be the season finale against the Scarlet Knights.
In a matchup they have usually dominated, Penn State wins big and leaves no doubt that they have taken the next step. Rutgers does score the most points they have in recent series history, with seventeen on the board this time around, thanks to D.T. Sheffield connecting on a long pass from Athan Kaliakmanis that cuts the lead to ten points before the Nittany Lions ice the game with two fourth-quarter touchdowns and a relentless pass rush.
Updated Score Prediction: Penn State 41, Rutgers 17
Projected Record: 6-6, 3-6 Big Ten
