The Scarlet Knights victory improves their record to 4-1 for the best start to a season since the 2014 season when they opened with a 5-1 mark in Rutgers first year of Big Ten play.
Rutgers concluded its non-conference schedule with a 3-0 record for the third consecutive season under Head Coach Greg Schiano. They now travel to Madison for a Big Ten Conference matchup with 3-1 Wisconsin on Saturday at noon Eastern at Camp Randall Stadium.
Facing Wisconsin
Schiano pulled no punches when asked by reporters about a possible win over Wisconsin as some sort of “signature” victory, telling reporters,
It’s a big game. I’d be very, very careful in looking at that and saying, this is an iconic brand or this is a big win, or whatever you want to call it. We have one goal: That’s to be 1-0 at the end of this Wisconsin season. It’s hard. We have got a lot of work to do. We’re in the middle of it right now putting it together. We, as a staff and as a whole organization, and as a team, we have a lot of work to do between now and Saturday. They are very good, so we are going to do everything we can to go out there and, like I said, be 1-0 when we leave that stadium. They are good. Really good.
Going 1-0 on Saturday is a noble goal for sure, but Caesars Sportsbook lists the 4-1 Scarlet Knights as a +14.0 point away underdog for Saturday’s Big Ten tilt.
Wimsatt Looking Steady
The Rutgers signal-caller has thrown an interception in 106 passing attempts with a 53% completion rate and five scoring strikes this season. Wimsatt has rushed for an additional 187 rushing yards with four TDs on 41 carries and is responsible for a conference 4th-best 54 points. Wimsatt has thrown a TD pass in every game this season and boasts a pair of wideouts with a combined 402 receiving yards and three scoring strikes.
Monangai Third Best Big Ten Rushing
RB Kyle Monangai is third in the conference in rushing yards and will be key to defeating a Wisconsin defense, allowing 118.5 rushing yards per contest. Monangai has scooted for 471 yards on 88 carries with six trips to the house.
Rutgers 4th Best Scoring Defense
The Scarlet Knights defense allows the 4th fewest points and total yards allowed per game in the Big Ten. Rutgers is 4th in rushing and passing yards allowed and will face a stiff test against the three-prong rushing attack of RBs Braelon Allen, Chez Mellusi, and QB Tanner Mordecai.
Rutgers vs. Wisconsin Betting Analysis
BetMGM opened the game with Wisconsin at -13.5, which is now -14.0. That’s not much of a move, but enough for me to fade the spread bet and look at the 44.5-point total (-110) at BetRivers, and I’ll be betting Over 44.5 (-110) at BetRivers New Jersey.
These two groups have been able to score the football this season, and I believe that will continue on Saturday. Rutgers has the much better defense of the two schools, but the Scarlet Knights will have their hands full stopping the run, and the Badgers will score points against a very strong Rutgers 11.
Wimsatt is an underrated passer, and he could be in for a big day throwing the football against the Big Ten’s worst passing defense. Monangai could also have a big day against the 8th-best Badgers rushing defense, which could result in three TDs on Saturday, and the Wisconsin stout running game will push the final outcome Over 44.5 points (-110) at BetRivers.
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