Rutgers football is back home this Saturday, and despite a brutal 42-14 road loss to No. 24 Northwestern, they are stepping onto their own turf as a 14.5 point underdog against Michigan, according to FanDuel. This is a game where both teams are coming off a loss, with Michigan falling to No. 6 Indiana 13-6 in overtime yesterday. The over/under is sitting at 47.5, which is one of the lowest totals for a Rutgers game all season, and honestly, after looking at the numbers, it makes perfect sense.
The “Stoppable Force” Meets the “Moveable Object”
Seriously, this game is shaping up to be a true “stopper force vs the moveable object” scenario, as the numbers are just wild. You have a Michigan offense that is flat-out bad, ranking No. 108 in the FBS by averaging a measly 20.3 points per game. And then there is the Rutgers defense, which is somehow even worse, surrendering a staggering 37.7 points per game, making them No. 128 in the FBS. Think about that for a second. It does not get much uglier than that.
But wait, there is more. Rutgers’ run defense is allowing 6 yards per rush, which is the third-worst in the entire FBS. The good news for them? Michigan’s rush offense is not exactly tearing it up, averaging just 3.7 yards per rush, which is only No. 96 in the FBS. In the air, it is a similar story: Michigan averages a paltry 165.9 passing yards per game, No. 125 in the FBS, while Rutgers lets opponents throw for 245.3 yards per game, ranking them 100th. Michigan has scored over 20 points only twice this season. Rutgers has held opponents under 30 points only twice this season. It’s a clash of units that just cannot get out of their own way.
Michigan’s Defense and the QB Nightmare
Now, before you think this is a lock for Rutgers, Michigan does have one serious weapon: their defense. This unit is absolutely stellar, giving up an average of just 15.7 points per game, which puts them at 11th in the FBS. That is elite, plain and simple. Michigan defensive end John Henry Daley is a real problem, racking up four sacks already this season. And Rutgers, bless their hearts, has struggled all year to keep defenders away from their quarterback. On top of that, Michigan averages 1.3 positive turnovers per game, which is a huge red flag for a Rutgers team that has had its own issues protecting the ball.
Then there is the quarterback situation, which is a total mess for both sides. Michigan started Tommy Carr last week over Bryce Underwood, and Carr’s debut was not exactly a highlight reel: 167 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. Can he improve in his second start? Rutgers, on the other hand, had three different quarterbacks hit the field, and none of them looked good. Starting QB Dylan Lonergan got knocked out before he could even attempt a pass. Backups AJ Surace and Sean Ashenfelder combined for a brutal 9 out of 27 completions for 100 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions. Lonergan is clearly Rutgers’ best bet to stay competitive, but if he is sidelined, whoever steps in is facing one of the Big Ten’s toughest defenses.
This bizarre battle between Rutgers and Michigan kicks off on Halloween, Oct. 31, at 12:30 PM inside SHI Stadium. Live coverage will be available on the Big Ten Network. It is going to be a wild ride, and who knows, maybe the Halloween magic will make one of these offenses actually show up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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