Two years ago, these teams played, and it was ugly. However, these 2023 Rutgers Scarlet Knights are looking much better than that team. As for the Wisconsin Badgers, fans know what to expect, especially when they’re at home.
Each program is sitting on one conference win before Saturday’s showdown. How will Rutgers and Wisconsin fare in their quest for two?
𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘 5️⃣ | 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 👐
🆚 Rutgers
📅 Saturday, Oct. 7
⏰ 11 a.m. CT
📍 Camp Randall
📺 Peacock | https://t.co/JYqshXgZI7
🎟 | https://t.co/irlZmhOs87 pic.twitter.com/q55QX3GCPw— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 2, 2023
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Wisconsin Badgers Odds and Match Details
Team | Spread | Total | ML |
Rutgers | +13
-110 |
Over 44.5
-110 |
+370 |
Wisconsin | -13
-110 |
Under 44.5
-110 |
-485 |
*Odds Subject to Change |
Fixture: Rutgers Scarlet Knights @ Wisconsin Badgers
Date and Time: October 7, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. EST
Location: Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin
Field Surface: FieldTurf
Weather: Partly Sunny, Breezy, and 55 Degrees
Key Stats
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers raced to a 4-1 start on the back of their defense. They’re only allowing 12.8 points per game this year, and Michigan is the only school to exceed 16 points against them. The Scarlet Knights are giving up 267.8 yards per contest.
On the ground, Rutgers’ foes only pick up 98.6 yards per game on 3.2 yards per rush. Through the air, the Scarlet Knights are only allowing 169.2 yards per game with a 55.7% completion percentage against them. That includes five interceptions.
Outside of the trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan, Rutgers’ offense has put up at least 24 every weekend. They’re averaging 346.4 yards per game so far. It has led them to 30.8 points per game this season, the sixth-most among the 14 Big Ten schools.
Most of that damage is done on the ground, where the Scarlet Knights gain 195.2 yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry. Kyle Monangai is leading the way with 471 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Passing is much more of an adventure, with Rutgers only averaging 151.2 yards through the air.
Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin’s 3-1 record is much more reliant on an offense putting up 33.3 points per game. Their 427.5 yards per game are fourth in the Big Ten. The Badgers have scored at least 35 points in three of the four games they’ve played so far.
The Badgers also dominate running the ball, picking up 201.8 yards per game on the ground. 14 of their touchdowns have come through the rushing attack. Quarterback Tanner Mordecai is leading a passing game that gains 225.8 per contest.
𝙈𝘼𝘿𝙏𝙊𝙒𝙉 𝙈𝘼𝙔𝙃𝙀𝙈 😈
The Badgers defense has forced 9️⃣ turnovers over the last two weeks, no team in the country has forced more ☝️#OnWisconsin x #MadtownMayhem pic.twitter.com/7ka2nGLlZP
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) September 27, 2023
The defense may give up yards, but they’ve also come through with turnovers to mitigate the damage. Three turnovers in their last game and six in the previous matchup kept Wisconsin comfortably ahead. This year’s Badgers are only responsible for 19.8 points against per game.
However, they’re giving up 375.0 yards per game, the third-most in the Big Ten. 256.5 of that comes via the passing game, aided by a pass rush with 12 sacks. They’re much sturdier on the ground, holding opponents to 3.9 yards per carry and 118.5 yards per game.
Game Prediction
Both of these offenses thrive on running the football. Each defense in this game is suffocating on the ground. Neither defense is allowing more than 20 points per game, and those units should set the tone for Saturday’s clash.
Rutgers can’t throw the ball well enough to take advantage of Wisconsin’s suspect secondary. The Badgers are better through the air, but not strong enough to consistently pick apart the Scarlet Knights’ back seven. Expect the defenses to dominate in this Big Ten battle.