Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Maryland Terrapins Prediction, 10/17/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Maryland Terrapins

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026

Location: SECU Stadium in College Park, MD

TV: BTN

Odds/Point Spread: Terrapins (-6.5)

Total/Over-Under: 56.5

The Maryland Terrapins (2-4) will compete against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-4) at SECU Stadium on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Rutgers opens as 6.5-point dogs. The total is set at 56.5.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights head into this game 1-4 for this season. In their last game, the Scarlet Knights faced off with the Indiana Hoosiers and ended up losing by a score of 47-15. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights ended up running the ball 35 different times and amassed 59 yds, earning them an average of 1.7 yards per attempt. For the game, they tallied 55 plays which gave them a total of 254 yds. Rutgers relinquished 21 pass completions on 29 tries for a total of 264 yds, and a completion percentage of 72.4%. Against the run, the Scarlet Knights conceded 329 yards on 39 attempts, which calculates to 8.4 yds per rush surrendered.

The Scarlet Knights have earned 1,978 total yards for this campaign. When it comes to getting in the endzone, Rutgers has compiled 13 passing touchdowns and 7 touchdowns via the ground. They have surrendered the ball 10 times. Rutgers has earned 102 first downs as a unit, and they have committed 20 infractions for 133 yards. As a team they average 134.8 yards rushing which ranks them 99th in college football. Regarding putting the ball in the endzone, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights are averaging 30.0 points per contest.

The Scarlet Knights rank 120th in D-1 regarding the opposition scoring, allowing 32.2 points per game. Opposing teams are running for an average of 5.8 yards per attempt on the ground and 199.2 rushing yards per game this year. Overall, they have allowed 996 yards on the ground through 5 outings. Concerning passing yards, the Scarlet Knights have given up 1,041 yds which puts them in 42nd in the nation. They have surrendered 208.2 yards per contest via the pass and giving up a completion percentage of 65.6%. In total, they have allowed 407.4 yards/contest which has them sitting 120th in Division 1. They have given up 10 touchdowns by air and 8 touchdowns via the ground game.

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The Terrapins head into this matchup 2-4 for this year. The last time they took the field, the Terrapins took a loss by a final score of 45-16 when they faced the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Terrapins ended up finishing with 146 yards while they ran 53 plays (2.8 yds per play). Maryland ran for 2.9 yds per attempt, finishing the game with 82 yds on 28 carries. Maryland conceded 48 rush attempts for 207 yds (4.3 yards per rush). The Terrapins passing defense conceded a completion percentage of 61.9%, relinquishing 242 yds on 13 for 21 passing.

When looking at how much they score, the Terrapins are sitting 76th in D-1 with an average of 28.0 points per contest. The Maryland Terrapins have an average of 377.7 yards per game, which is good for 82nd in the nation. The Maryland offense has racked up 406 yards of penalties on 44 violations, which has them ranked 24th in college football in terms of hurting your team. They have tossed 6 interceptions while conceding 1 fumble and they have been able to obtain 123 1st downs. During this campaign to this point, the Terrapins currently have a total of 1,450 passing yards as well as an average of 241.7 passing yards per outing, which has them ranked 58th in college football. They are averaging 136.0 run yards per game and have toted the ball for 816 yards overall.

The Terrapins are conceding 32.7 PPG, which has them sitting 125th in the nation. Maryland has given up a total of 890 yards via the ground game (148.3 yards/game) and 11 touchdowns rushing for the campaign. They have allowed the opposition 13 touchdowns via the pass and 205.7 yards/outing, which puts them in 66th in the country. The Terrapins defense has taken the field for 384 plays, ranking them 93rd in Division 1. They have tallied 4 fumbles recovered and 5 interceptions on the campaign. This season, they have conceded 196 points.

Who will win tonight's Scarlet Knights/Terrapins college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Scarlet Knights +6.5

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