Howard and Rutgers kick off college football Week 1 on Thursday, August 29 at 6 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network.
Rutgers enters the season with expectations higher than we’ve seen in quite some time. The rebuild under Greg Schiano is clearly working, as we’ve seen Rutgers improve both on the field and at the window (8-4-1 ATS last year).
The Scarlet Knights enter this season as big favorites of -36.5. So, where does the betting value lie? Let's dive into my Howard vs Rutgers prediction for Thursday, Aug. 29.
Howard vs Rutgers Prediction
- Howard vs. Rutgers Pick: Over 49.5
My Howard vs. Rutgers best bet is on the over with the best line currently available at FanDuel, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Howard vs Rutgers Odds
| Howard Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+36.5 -110 | 49.5 -110 / -110 | N/A |
| Rutgers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-36.5 -110 | 49.5 -110 / -110 | N/A |
- Howard vs Rutgers Point Spread: Howard +36.5 (-108) · Rutgers -36.5 (-112)
- Howard vs Rutgers Total: Over/Under 49.5
- Howard vs Rutgers Moneyline: Howard +6500
Howard vs Rutgers Preview
Howard Bison Betting Preview: Howard in for Tough Matchup
Howard comes in after a 7-5 campaign and is searching for a starter in the quarterback room as Jaylon Tolbert, Zach Yeager and former Ball State quarterback Kaden Cobb are battling it out.
Despite the battle at quarterback, Howard does return some firepower at the skill positions, with both starting running backs and back-to-back all-MEAC wide receiver Kasey Hawthorne returning.
Defensively, the Bison are breaking in three new players on the line and two new players at linebacker.
The secondary is experienced by MEAC standards, and Kenny Gallop Jr. is a solid returnee at defensive back.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Preview: Rushing Attack Should Thrive
Rutgers formulated a winning identity based on hard-nosed defense and a run-oriented scheme that kept it in games all last season. Notching a winning season was key, but equally as important was how Rutgers benefitted from its 15 bowl practices, as the team seemed to buy into what Schiano is building.
Rutgers won key recruiting battles in the offseason and kept its star running back, star offensive tackle and essentially the entire starting defense.
The dividends in the run game cannot be overstated. Kyle Monangai was the first Rutgers running back to top 1,000 yards in a season since 2012. Three offensive line contributors earned All-Big Ten honors last year and all three are back, so this rushing attack should again be impressive.
The passing game needs to start developing for Rutgers to take the next step in the Big Ten.
The Scarlet Knights brought back Gavin Wimsatt (47% completion percentage), but also saw Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis show up for spring ball and actually beat Wimsatt out, which caused his subsequent transfer to Kentucky.
Rutgers also saw some key transfers this year as FCS leading receiver Dymere Miller (Monmouth) comes in, along with Naseim Brantley.
The defense returns nine from an elite unit that ranked 21st in FBS in yards per play and 10th in yards per pass attempt. The unit should be even better this year. This defense is going to feast in a Big Ten schedule that avoids all of the top five teams in league play.
Howard vs Rutgers Pick & Prediction
In this matchup, I’m focusing on the over, which has quickly been bet up from 47.5 to 49.5. Howard’s defense is getting too much credit. When it plays up in competition, it's clearly overmatched.
I just can’t see Howard stopping the run here against a Rutgers team that's built an identity on running the football.
Rutgers also has to develop a passing game and needs some work, so I could see its starters playing deep into this game just to get reps through the air. That could lead to big plays against a Howard defense susceptible to giving up explosives.
Additionally, Howard has been down big at the half in its past three games against FBS competition and has battled back to score two touchdowns in the second half of each of those games. So, despite being down in a game it’s unlikely to win, Howard doesn’t quit.
Lastly, Rutgers isn’t shy about punching in late scores. Last year, against Temple with the game firmly in hand, Rutgers punched it in twice in the final five minutes. It did the same thing against Virginia Tech and, most notably, with a 45-3 lead last year against FCS Wagner.
Rutgers will punch it in late if the situation allows for it, which could help us cash the over at 49.5
Pick: Over 49.5
How to Watch Howard vs Rutgers Live: Start Time, TV Channel, Location
| Location: | SHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ |
| Date: | Thursday, Aug. 29 |
| Kickoff Time: | 6 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | Big Ten Network |
Howard vs Rutgers Betting Trends
Rutgers went just 1-5 ATS in its last five games a season ago. However, the Scarlet Knights did go 3-2 to the over in its final five games of the 2023 season.
