Wisconsin vs Rutgers expert picks, prediction and best bets

Wisconsin vs. Rutgers marks a Week 7 Big Ten matchup between two bowl game contenders vying for a spot in the Big Ten.

Can Wisconsin get its season back on track? With tough matchups coming up – Penn State, Iowa, Oregon and Nebraska – the Badgers have a scary road ahead. Yes, they beat Purdue 52-6, but that win came against a team that was struggling at the bottom of the Power Four.

Rutgers is now looking more and more like the Wisconsin it once was. They rely on hard running, strong defense and attention to detail – the same formula that got them off to a 4-1 start. It’s a team that wins, ride after ride, doing the little things that often go unnoticed but make all the difference.

This game could be a turning point for Rutgers. With a winnable game against UCLA next and no Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State or Michigan on the schedule, the Scarlet Knights have a chance at serious success. A win here could catapult them into the heart of the Big Ten race with momentum on their side and growing confidence.

Wisconsin, on the other hand, is struggling to find its identity in a season that is not yet shaping up as hoped. The Badgers have to fight their way forward, knowing that every game can determine their season. In a battle of wills, Rutgers has a chance to prove it is ready for the moment and ready to take on a role that once belonged to the Badgers – a determined, resilient force in the Big Ten.

Check out our expert picks for Wisconsin vs. Rutgers!

Wisconsin vs. Rutgers betting preview, expert tips, prediction and best bets

All Wisconsin vs. Rutgers odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are accurate as of Wednesday, October 9th.

• Spread
  Rutgers -2.5
• Money line
  Wisconsin +115, Rutgers -135
• Over/Under
  41
• Playtime
  Noon ET
• Location
  SHI Stadium | Piscataway, NJ
• Predicted weather at Kick
  70 degrees, mostly sunny
• Here’s how to watch
  Big Ten Network

Check out our other picks from college football experts!

Wisconsin vs Rutgers Prediction

After a promising 4-0 start, Rutgers suffered its first loss, falling to Nebraska in a hard-fought, low-scoring matchup. The Scarlet Knights struggled to gain momentum until Athan Kaliakmanis scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to pull within one score. Although the result was impressive, Rutgers managed to cover the +7.5 spread, offering a silver lining to the believers.

Now attention turns to Wisconsin (3-2, 1-1), which just earned a commanding 52-6 victory over Purdue. The Badgers will look to build on that momentum as they set their sights on a Big Ten title push. For Rutgers, the formula is clear: rely on senior running back Kyle Monangai. With 667 rushing yards and six touchdowns this season, Monangai has been the heart of the offense, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. But against Nebraska, the ground game faltered, and the offense must find its strength to stay in the fight.

Count the missed tackles Kyle Monangai forced on this run: pic.twitter.com/ZPGmVATwD1

— Brian Fonseca (@briannnnf) September 28, 2024

Rutgers is not for shooting; They are designed to wear down opponents move by move. If there is unrest in Madison, the Scarlet Knights could bring it to light this week. Monangai, who is averaging 23 runs per game, could use even more players – perhaps 30 touches – as Rutgers looks to control the clock and set the tone.

Wisconsin brings into this matchup a five-game winning streak against Rutgers, including a 53-2 record in 2021. But this game will be played in the trenches, where grit and determination could be enough for Rutgers to push the Badgers to their limits bring. It won’t be flashy, but it could be exactly the type of battle Rutgers is built to win.

Forecast: Rutgers 24, Wisconsin 20

Best bet: Rutgers -2.5