Northwestern Wildcats (1-11 Last Season) vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-8 Last Season)
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 9/3/23 – On Sunday, college football enthusiasts will witness an intriguing matchup when Northwestern Wildcats face Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. This early season clash has vital ramifications for both teams as they aim to kickstart their campaigns successfully.
Northwestern Wildcats endured a difficult last season with a 1-11 record, leaving them eager for redemption. One of their key players on offense is quarterback Ryan Hilinski, who displayed impressive arm strength and potential by amassing 1,644 passing yards and completing 558 out of 258 attempts for a 55.8% completion rate – impressive numbers given how difficult it can be to reach the end zone as Wildcats struggled consistently. His average 6.4 yards per attempt and 111.6 passer rating demonstrate his efficient ball movement capabilities. Hilinski is joined in his efforts by running back Cam Porter, who plays an integral part in Northwestern’s ground game.
Porter amassed 286 rushing yards at an average of 3.3 yards per carry to keep Northwestern moving forward and keep crucial yards moving along. Wide receiver Donny Navarro III also proved himself valuable with 237 receiving yards at 7.6 per reception for an impactful 7.6 yards average per catch rate that can help stretch out games and create separation from opposition players.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Building Momentum for a Stronger Season
Rutgers Scarlet Knights finished last season with a 4-8 record, and they are looking forward to turning things around this campaign. Quarterback Evan Simon is leading Rutgers forward, having amassed 777 passing yards while completing 79 out of 137 attempts (57.7% completion rate). Simon demonstrated his ability to manage games efficiently through a 106.2 passer rating while still working to increase his touchdown-to-interception ratio. Kyle Monangai will lead Rutgers’ Scarlet Knights’ running game as running back Kyle Monangai averaged 445 rushing yards at an average of 4.1 yards per carry in 2018. Monangai provided consistent positive yardage gains while contributing ball control. Rutgers wide receiver Shameen Jones added explosiveness with 252 receiving yards at 15.8 yards per reception; Jones is known for making big plays that can alter games significantly. For insights and predictions, don’t forget to check out free expert football picks.
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Game Info
| When: | Sunday, September 3, 2023 at 12:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | SHI Stadium |
| TV: | CBS |
| Stream: | SofaScore |
Ryan Hilinski QB and Evan Simon QB
Northwestern’s passing game, led by Ryan Hilinski, could exploit Rutgers’ defensive vulnerabilities. With 1,644 passing yards under his belt and an efficiency average of 6.4 yards per attempt, Hilinski shows his prowess as an orchestrator of Northwestern’s aerial attack; success hinges on connecting with receivers like Navarro to create scoring opportunities.
Rutgers’ offense relies heavily on Evan Simon‘s ability to manage the game as quarterback effectively. With 777 passing yards and a 57.7% completion rate, his potential to move the chains is evident while his accuracy rate stands out with his passer rating of 106.2; alongside playmakers like Shameen Jones assisting, his success connecting with receiving targets will be essential for Rutgers’ offensive success.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: Northwestern Wildcats +200, Total Odds: 34
Northwestern is poised to pull an upset, which makes their +200 moneyline alluring, looking to capitalize on Scarlet Knights’ recent struggles. Though Northwestern is the underdog, their potential to cover the +6.5 spread relies heavily on Hilinski’s passing game and offensive improvements; an upset seems possible given both teams’ offensive challenges; an under (39.5) result seems more likely due to a potential defensive battle.
Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends
Northwestern has had trouble recently. Their 6-12 ATS record over their last 18 games shows inconsistent play, while their 0-11 road SU record underscores their difficulties away from home. With only one win in their last 10 contests, Northwestern is fighting an uphill battle, and September has not been kind to them either, evidenced by their poor 1-6 ATS performance during September.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Trends
The Scarlet Knights have struggled recently, as evidenced by their poor record in recent games (1-4 ATS and 0-5 SU). While their 2-8 home record raises concerns, September saw them boasting an impressive 6-2 ATS record that bodes well for starting strong this year. Furthermore, week 1, marked by their impressive 5-0 ATS performance, suggests they may start the year strong.
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 9/3/23 Betting Picks
Northwestern Wildcats and Rutgers Scarlet Knights will look to put behind them recent struggles as both teams are ready for an early season contest. While both squads could produce an upset, recent trends give Rutgers the slight edge; predicted scores favor Northwestern Wildcats with 19-15 as an end score, signaling an exciting contest where Rutgers may cover the spread for an impressive win. For further insights and predictions, check out free expert sports picks.
Free Pick and Prediction: Northwestern Wildcats will win 19-15