Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Wisconsin Badgers

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-1 SU, 5-0 ATS) at Wisconsin Badgers (3-1, 2-2), 10/7/23

When: noon ET Saturday, Oct. 7

Where: Camp Randall Stadium

TV: Peacock

CFB betting odds: Rut +14/Wis -14

Money line: Rut +420/Wis -580

Over/under: 45

We don’t really consider Wisconsin and Rutgers “rivals,” but they’ll meet for an interesting Big 10 cross-divisional bout Saturday afternoon at Camp Randall.

The Badgers are 4-0 all-time against Rutgers and they’re favored by two touchdowns to win this one.

Which way are we going here with our free college football betting pick?

NCAAF Betting Odds

This week’s college football betting market opened Wisconsin as a 12.5-point home favorite over Rutgers, with an over/under of right around 47. Early betting action bumped the Badgers to -14 and dipped that total to 45.

Rutgers-Wisconsin Betting Preview

The Scarlet Knights are 4-1 on the season, 1-1 in Big 10 play, after waltzing by Wagner (FCS) last Saturday 52-3. Rutgers did what a good FBS program should do against an opponent like that and, much to the delight of its financial backers, tacked on a touchdown in the last half-minute to cover the spread at -47.
The Knights opened this season with solid wins over Northwestern, Temple, and Virginia Tech, going 3-0 ATS along the way. Rutgers then opened its Big 10 slate with a 31-7 loss at Michigan, but that’s not a crime.

The Knights returned 14 starters this season, including eight on defense, and have already equaled last season’s win total of four.

The Badgers are 3-1 on the season, 1-0 in conference, after winning at Purdue two Fridays ago 38-17. Wisconsin then had last week off, so it’s playing Saturday on 15 days’ rest.

The Badgers drove their first three possessions of the game against the Boilermakers to touchdowns and led 21-3 at the half. Wisconsin later allowed Purdue to get within 27-17 but tacked on a couple of scores to secure the W and the money at -6.

The Badgers actually got out-gained by the Boilers 396-388, but most of the yardage the defense gave up came while protecting a three-score lead.

Unfortunately, the Badgers took a hit with the loss of RB Mellusi for the season due to a leg injury.

Wisconsin opened this season with an underwhelming win over Buffalo, then lost at Washington State. The Badgers then struggled for almost three quarters against Georgia Southern before pulling away, then played a fairly complete game against Purdue.

Wisconsin returned 17 starters this season and, despite the new coaching regime, went off as the favorite to win the Big 10 West at +200.

Rutgers-Wisconsin Recent History

The Badgers are 4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS against the Knights, all games played since Rutgers joined the Big 10 back in 2014 (average score 42-8). Most recently, two seasons ago, Wisconsin beat the Knights in Piscataway 52-3, covering at -13.

College Football Betting Trends

Rutgers is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games as a road dog.

Totals Report

The unders are 3-1 in Knights games vs. FBS opponents this season.

The totals are split 2-2 in Badgers games.

Free College Football Betting Pick

We bet Rutgers a couple of weeks ago against Michigan because we thought they could run the ball a bit and play some defense. And while the offense basically came up empty that day, the defense kept the Knights close enough to cover at +24.5. As for this week, the spread isn’t quite the same, but Wisconsin ain’t Michigan. The Badgers played well last time out, but they might still be going through the learning curve under the new HC. Plus, the spread moved in a good direction. We like Rutgers plus the points.