The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-0) head to Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-1) in a key Big Ten matchup.
With kickoff at 4 PM ET on FS1, this game will have major implications as both teams look to solidify their places in the conference.
Nebraska, coming off a strong 28-10 win over Purdue last week, is a -7.0 favorite at home. However, their last outing at Memorial Stadium was a 31-24 overtime loss to Illinois, which looms large in the minds of Cornhuskers fans.
Rutgers is in a unique position, trying to extend its undefeated start and earn its first-ever win over Nebraska.
The Scarlet Knights have a physical style of play that resembles Illinois, the team that took down Nebraska in Lincoln.
Illinois used zone looks and stout defense to disrupt Nebraska's offense, and Rutgers will likely employ a similar approach against freshman QB Dylan Raiola.
Raiola has been a bright spot for the Cornhuskers, totaling nine touchdowns and two interceptions through five games. In Big Ten play, he’s been even more consistent, throwing for four TDs and just one INT over two games. His poise in the pocket will be tested against Rutgers’ defense, which thrives on controlling the game’s pace.
The key for Rutgers will be running the ball, led by standout RB Kyle Monangai, who has 97 carries in four games for 589 yards and six TDs. His latest performance, a 25-carry, 132-yard effort against Washington, was instrumental in their narrow 21-18 victory.
However, Nebraska has been superb against the run this season. Despite their loss to Illinois, the Cornhuskers managed to hold Illinois' deep backfield to just 4.3 yards per carry.
Rutgers will need to establish Monangai early, but Nebraska’s defensive front will make that a tough task. Given Nebraska’s strength in stopping the run and Rutgers' reliance on their ground game, the Scarlet Knights may struggle to find a rhythm on offense.
QB Aithan Kaliakmanis, who only managed 115 passing yards against Washington, will need to step up and make some key throws. Nebraska’s defense will likely focus on stopping Monangai, daring Kaliakmanis to beat them through the air. So far, he has yet to show he can effectively lead the offense in these situations.
Nebraska’s pressure to win at home will be intense and Rutgers, despite their undefeated start, faces an uphill battle.
Nebraska’s balanced offensive attack, with Raiola leading the passing game and a stable of running backs providing support, will likely be too much for Rutgers to handle.
The total for this game is set at a low 41.0 points, and it’s easy to see why. Both teams rely heavily on their defenses and methodical offensive pace, which should result in a slower-paced, grind-it-out affair.
Defensively, Rutgers has been effective keeping opponents out of the endzone, particularly with their zone looks defending the pass. Nebraska, meanwhile, excels with their run defense, which was crucial in their wins over Colorado and Purdue.
Rutgers’ defense gave up 521 yards of total offense to Washington, including 207 rushing yards on just 29 carries. This raises concerns about how Rutgers will handle Nebraska’s committee-style rushing attack.
Nebraska’s run game doesn’t feature a standout star like Monangai, but with Dante Dowdell, Emmett Johnson, Rahmir Johnson, and Gabe Ervin Jr. all contributing, they should be able to exploit Rutgers’ injured, weakened front seven.
Rutgers has also shown vulnerability against the run in their recent games. Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten had 15 carries for 122 yards and three TDs against them, a troubling trend that Nebraska will look to exploit. However, the Cornhuskers’ rushing game hasn’t been explosive, with Dowdell managing just 93 yards on 29 carries in Big Ten play.
Neither offense is likely to generate a high-scoring affair. Rutgers wants to control the clock, and their lack of explosive passing plays means they’ll focus on chewing up time with Monangai’s runs. Nebraska, too, will aim for a controlled approach, using Raiola’s arm to complement their running game.
Read more betting picks and predictions for College Football on site.
Rutgers ML | +220 ML |
Nebraska ML | -270 ML |
Spread | Nebraska -7.0 |
Total Points | O/U 41.0 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.