Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Northwestern Wildcats Prediction, 10/24/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Northwestern Wildcats

Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026

Location: Ryan Field in Evanston, IL

TV: Peacock

Odds/Point Spread: Wildcats (-16.5)

Total/Over-Under: 56.5

Ryan Field is where the Northwestern Wildcats (5-1) will play the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-4) on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Rutgers opens this game as 16.5-point underdogs. The over/under comes in at 56.5.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights head into this game 2-4 for this season. In their last game, the Scarlet Knights played the Maryland Terrapins and went home with a win by a final score of 37-30. On the day, they had 74 plays which totaled 442 yards. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights ended up running the ball 39 times and accounted for 151 yards, which came out to an average of 3.9 yards per carry. Against the rush, the Scarlet Knights gave up 115 yards on 26 tries, which averages out to 4.4 yds per run allowed. Rutgers surrendered 19 pass completions on 38 attempts for 263 yards, and a completion rate of 50.0%.

Concerning getting in the endzone, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights are sitting at 31.2 points per outing. As a team they hold an average of 137.5 yards via the ground game giving them a rank of 99th in D-1. The Scarlet Knights have earned 2,420 total yards over the course of this year. When it comes to getting in the endzone, Rutgers has earned 16 touchdowns through the air and 9 touchdowns via the ground. Rutgers has accrued 130 1st downs as a unit, and they have been called for 24 infractions for 172 yards. They have surrendered the ball 11 different times.

The Scarlet Knights rank 119th in D-1 regarding the opposition scoring, allowing 31.8 points per contest. Opposing teams are running for an average of 5.6 yards per running attempt and 185.2 yards on the ground per contest so far this season. Overall, they have allowed 1,111 rushing yards through 6 outings. Regarding passing yards, the Scarlet Knights have conceded 1,304 yds which has them ranked 58th in college football. They have allowed 217.3 yards per contest through the air and allowed a completion percentage of 62.1%. In total, they are conceding 402.5 yards per game ranking them 113th in Division 1. They have conceded 12 touchdowns through the air as well as 10 touchdowns running the ball.

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The Wildcats head into this game 5-1 for this year. When they last stepped on the field, the Wildcats got the victory with a final of 24-21 when they played the Michigan State Spartans. Northwestern allowed 27 rush attempts for 89 yds (3.3 yds per carry). The Wildcats secondary gave up a completion percentage of 63.3%, relinquishing 216 yds on 19 for 30 passing. The Wildcats finished the game with 360 yds while they ran 71 plays (5.1 yds per play). Northwestern ended up running for 3.2 yds per carry, finishing with a total of 134 yards on 42 attempts.

The Northwestern Wildcats hold an average of 424.5 yards per game, which has them sitting 44th in college football. The Northwestern offense has racked up 329 yards of penalties on 45 infractions, which is 52nd in the nation in terms of helping out the other team. They are averaging 191.5 rushing yards per game and have run for 1,149 yards for this year. They have tossed no picks while losing 2 fumbles and they have been able to obtain 135 1st downs. When looking at their scoring prowess, the Wildcats sit 41st in D-1 scoring 33.5 points per game. During this campaign to this point, the Wildcats have earned 1,398 passing yards along with holding an average of 233.0 passing yards per game, which has them sitting 67th in Division 1.

Northwestern has given up a total of 825 yards rushing (137.5 yards per outing) and 6 touchdowns rushing on the year. They have given up 6 touchdowns through the air in addition to 230.5 yards per game, which puts them in 100th in the country. This season, they have conceded 102 points in total. They have compiled 3 fumbles recovered and 6 interceptions so far this year. The Wildcats defense has participated in 417 plays, which ranks them 58th in the nation. The Wildcats are allowing 17.0 PPG, which has them ranked 26th in college football.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Wildcats -16.5

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