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PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 12: Head Coach Greg Schiano of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights leads the team out of the tunnel before the start of the second half of their game against the Wisconsin Badgers at SHI Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As we get closer and closer to kickoff, the writers at On The Banks will be providing their takes on the annual game-by-game predictions series. Two weeks ago, Greg kicked off the series with his early schedule predictions, and we decided that we will rotate through the staff before the group comes together closer to kickoff for a group predictions post. In the meantime, I will take my swing at the game-by-game predictions, adding insight and scores as I did for the series last summer.
Thursday, Sept. 3 vs. UMass (6:00 PM)
The Scarlet Knights will showcase once again in Big Ten Network’s early Thursday evening game as the first Big Ten team to hit the gridiron, fitting for the birthplace of college football. This game is also a special homecoming for former defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak as he returns to Piscataway with the UMass Minutemen.
Unfortunately for him, Rutgers will be huge favorites at home and this opener will go without the scare that Ohio provided last season. UMass failed to win a game last year, including a shocking loss to a poor FCS team in Bryant. Even if the Minutemen are better this year, they will still be no match for Rutgers. The Knights win and cover the 30.5-point spread.
Score Prediction: Rutgers 47, UMass 7 (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Friday, Sept. 11 at Boston College (7:30 PM)
Rutgers will hit the road for a huge nonconference tilt against a familiar ACC foe when they head to Chestnut Hill to battle Boston College. Despite the Eagles going just 2-10, they will be stirred up for their annual Red Bandanna game, especially this year during 9/11. The Scarlet Knights, however, should be road favorites in this contest, whether AJ Surace or former BC quarterback Dylan Lonergan will be under center. Antwan Raymond and KJ Duff have big nights while the defense gets some much-needed late stops as the Knights hold on for a big victory in an emotional night for both teams and fanbases.
Score Prediction: Rutgers 34, Boston College 24 (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Saturday, Sept. 19 vs. USC (3:30 PM)
The Big Ten slate begins early this year for the Knights and the lone afternoon game of the first five is likely the one Rutgers fans wanted to be the blackout game. Nonetheless, SHI Stadium should be revved up as Rutgers hosts USC for the first time ever for its conference opener. This will be the first real test for the new-look defense, as quarterback Jordan Maiava and the Trojans offense under Lincoln Riley should be as good as always. The Knights hang around due to the star-studded offense, but USC gets the cross-country win and Rutgers does not get its patented 3-0 start.
Score Prediction: USC 35, Rutgers 27(2-1, 0-1 Big Ten)
Friday, Sept. 25 vs. Howard (7 PM)
Rutgers plays its final nonconference game at home and it comes against another familiar opponent in the Howard Bison. Despite Howard giving the Knights some trouble two seasons ago in the opener, RU still cruised to a 44-7 victory over the Bison, putting in their backups by the end of the contest. Expect something similar here, as Rutgers gets a chance to rest starters for a massive date against the reigning champs.
Score Prediction: Rutgers 55, Howard 10 (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten)
Saturday, Oct. 3 vs. Indiana (8 PM)
The full Big Ten slate begins in a big way when Rutgers takes on the Indiana Hoosiers for the first time in three seasons. However, these are not the same Hoosiers that the Knights annually defeated as Curt Cignetti brought them to the top of the college football mountain. Although IU will be without Fernando Mendoza and some of its biggest stars of last season, they still will be formidable. Rutgers rolled out all the stops by making this the homecoming game as well as a night game, but the Hoosiers will not be daunted. Not anymore.
Score Prediction: Indiana 42, Rutgers 24(3-2, 0-2 Big Ten)
Saturday, Oct. 17: at Maryland (afternoon)
The Rutgers-Maryland game has become an important one on both sides, and it has been the Scarlet Knights who have taken full control of the rivalry as of late, snapping their losing skid to take important games from the Terrapins these past two seasons. Expect that trend to continue as Mike Locksley’s team struggles to contain an explosive offense and improved defense even at home. Rutgers makes it three straight in its annual rivalry game.
Score Prediction: Rutgers 38, Maryland 27(4-2, 1-2 Big Ten)
Saturday, Oct. 24: at Northwestern
The Scarlet Knights have made a habit of winning manageable conference games away from SHI Stadium in the Schiano 2.0 era. Northwestern is a big wild card as they effectively ended the James Franklin era with a road victory over Penn State and nearly pulled off a stunner over Michigan while defeating Minnesota. With Chip Kelly and Aidan Chiles leading the offense, Rutgers’ first trip to the revamped Ryan Field results in a tough loss.
Score Prediction: Northwestern 34, Rutgers 28(4-3, 1-3 Big Ten)
Saturday, Oct. 31: vs. Michigan
Rutgers returns home for a Halloween tilt against the Wolverines, and Michigan should return to their disciplined style of play under Kyle Whittingham. The Knights have not seen UM since their national championship season in 2023, but before that RU came close to pulling off a few stunners. It would hurt too much to predict another too close for comfort loss to that team, so Michigan mercifully wins by double digits but the Knights make it difficult in front of the home faithful.
Score Prediction: Michigan 31, Rutgers 20(4-4, 1-4 Big Ten)
Saturday, Nov. 7: at Wisconsin
This game should be very interesting as Wisconsin has been a sore spot for Rutgers, one of the mid-high Big Ten teams the Knights have yet to beat upon entering the Big Ten. The Badgers are coming off a down season and bring in Colton Joseph at quarterback, but my bold prediction of the season is that RU goes into Camp Randall and stuns Wisconsin. For those looking for a signature win (Iowa-style), this one is for you. Rutgers finally “arrives” at the big-boy table, takes advantage of a poor Badgers team, and gets one win closer to bowl eligibility.
Score Prediction: Rutgers 30, Wisconsin 24(5-4, 2-4 Big Ten)
Saturday, Nov. 14: vs. Nebraska
Nebraska has been another one of those frustrating teams that Rutgers has yet to beat, despite a couple of close calls. What the football gods give, they take away, and the “road warriors” moniker stays as Nebraska guts out another ugly win over Rutgers at SHI Stadium despite failing to take the next step under Matt Rhule themselves.
Score Prediction: Nebraska 24, Rutgers 17(5-5, 2-5 Big Ten)
Saturday, Nov. 21: at Penn State
The grudge match against hated Penn State returns to Happy Valley as the Nittany Lions look to regain their footing after their always great, never elite label fell through last season. Matt Campbell should have this team at a high level and they benefit from a soft conference schedule. Rutgers had their chance last year, but the Lions should be able to get to a victory with relative ease this time around.
Score Prediction: Penn State 35, Rutgers 21 (5-6, 2-6 Big Ten)
Saturday, Nov. 28: vs. Michigan State
The season finale against a reeling Michigan State team comes at an opportune time for Rutgers as they once again are in a win-or-go-home scenario for Senior Day. The Spartans are replacing Aiden Chiles at quarterback and do not seem to have answers in terms of how they will improve from a dismal 4-8 record in 2025. Pat Fitzgerald will have this team ready despite their record, but in a reversal of last season, Rutgers is the team breaking spirits as they soundly clinch a bowl game on their home turf. Not quite the 41-14 romp over MSU in East Lansing from a couple seasons ago, but not too far off either.
Score Prediction: Rutgers 38, Michigan State 17
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