College Football

Gator Bowl: Rutgers vs Wake Forest 12/31/21 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

Wake Forest Demon Deacons (10-3) vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (5-7)
December 31, 2021 11:00 am EDT
The Line: Rutgers Scarlet Knights +13.5 / Wake Forest Demon Deacons -13.5; Over/Under: 61.5
(Get latest betting odds)

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Wake Forest Demon Deacons clash Friday morning in the college football Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. The Wake Forest Demon Deacons look for a win after splitting their last six games. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights need a win after losing seven of their last nine games.

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons have won four of their last seven non-home games. Sam Hartman is completing 58.8 percent of his passes for 3,924 yards, 36 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Jaquarii Roberson and A.T. Perry have combined for 2,244 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns, while Taylor Morin has 39 receptions. The Wake Forest Demon Deacons ground game is averaging 161.5 yards per contest, and Christian Beal-Smith leads the way with 581 yards and 7 touchdowns. Defensively, Wake Forest is allowing 30.3 points and 424.2 yards per game. Ryan Smenda Jr. leads the Wake Forest Demon Deacons with 77 tackles, Luiji Vilain has 9 sacks and Traveon Redd has 3 interceptions.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have split their last six non-home games. Noah Vedral is completing 59.3 percent of his passes for 1,726 yards, 7 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Bo Melton and Shameen Jones have combined for 947 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, while Aron Cruickshank has 20 receptions. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights ground game is averaging 140.7 yards per contest, and Isaih Pacheco leads the way with 647 yards and 5 touchdowns. Defensively, Rutgers is allowing 24.6 points and 393.6 yards per game. Olakunle Fatukasi leads the Rutgers Scarlet Knights with 81 tackles, Mohamed Toure has 3 sacks and Max Melton has 3 interceptions.

The Demon Deacons are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 bowl games and 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The under is 4-1 in Demon Deacons last 5 Friday games. The under is 5-2 in Scarlet Knights last 7 games overall.

This is a lot of points to lay in a bowl game, and I’m not running to the window to side with Wake Forest. However, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights weren’t good this season, and it’s tough to expect much from them here with them taking this game on short notice. Everybody on Rutgers thought the season was over and now has to get prepared for this contest. Not the easiest spot to be in, even if some guys are excited about another shot. Rutgers has no offense to speak of and has been held to 16 or fewer points in seven of its last nine games. The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are one of the best offensive teams in the country, with a top-15 passing attack and a top-five scoring offense. Wake should roll here.

Randy Chambers's Free Pick: Wake Forest Demon Deacons -13.5

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Randy Chambers

Randy has covered sports betting since 2014 and writes about everything from NFL to WNBA. Follow Randy Chambers on Twitter.

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