Michigan vs Rutgers Prediction Football Picks Today 10/31/26

Michigan vs Rutgers Prediction

In this Michigan vs Rutgers prediction, Michigan is coming as -13.5 road favorites. Michigan has a better record and is rightfully favored in this spot, but they have been struggling lately with a 1-3 record both straight up and against the spread in their last 4 games and have lost and failed to cover their only road game. They play excellent defense, but struggle on the offensive end, as they score 8.4 points per game fewer than Rutgers. Michigan has also been struggling to cover spread against Rutgers historically, as they are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 head-to-head meetings. I expect the hosts to keep this one somewhat close, so take Rutgers and grab those +13.5 points.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Preview

Rutgers has a 2-5 record and a 1-3 record in the Big Ten. They are coming off a 14-42 road loss against Northwestern and will face Wisconsin and Nebraska next.

Offensively, Rutgers averages 28.7 points per game, ranking 69th in the nation, while defensively, they allow 33.3 points per game, which is 128th. Rutgers averages 394.9 total yards per game (242.1 passing and 152.7 rushing), while allowing 416.7 total yards per game (199.1 rushing and 217.6 passing).

Dylan Lonergan leads Rutgers with 1,066 passing yards with 58.3% completed passes and 10 touchdowns. Antwan Raymond leads the team in rushing yards with 648, while KJ Duff has a team-high 774 receiving yards and 45 receptions. Defensively, Bradlee Jones and Chris Joines have a team-high 34 total tackles, while Rondarius Porter leads the team with 2.5 sacks.

Michigan Wolverines Preview

Michigan has a 4-3 record and a 1-3 record in the Big Ten. They are coming off a 6-13 home loss against Indiana and will face Michigan State and Oregon next.

Offensively, Michigan averages 20.3 points per game, ranking 118th in the nation, while defensively, they allow 15.7 points per game, which is 15th. Michigan averages 300.6 total yards per game (165.9 passing and 134.7 rushing), while allowing 250.1 total yards per game (95.6 rushing and 154.6 passing).

Bryce Underwood leads Michigan with 924 passing yards with 58.1% completed passes and 5 touchdowns. Jordan Marshall leads the team in rushing yards with 319, while JJ Buchanan has a team-high 539 receiving yards and 33 receptions. Defensively, Troy Bowles has a team-high 55 total tackles (27 of them solo), while John Henry Daley leads the team with 4 sacks.

Michigan Wolverines @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Trends: Week 9

Why the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will win

• Michigan has lost four of its last five games against conference opponents.
• Michigan has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five road games in October.
• The underdog has covered the spread in each of Michigan’s last four games.
• The underdog has won the first quarter in six of Michigan’s last nine games.
• The home team has won the first half in each of the last five games between Michigan and Rutgers.

Why the Michigan Wolverines will win

• Michigan has won each of its last nine games against Rutgers.
• Rutgers has lost nine of its last 10 home games against teams from Michigan.
• Rutgers has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five home games in October.
• The favorite has covered the spread in three of Rutgers’ last four games.
• Rutgers has lost the first half in each of its last 10 games as an underdog.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Rutgers’ last 10 games as a home underdog have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of Michigan’s last five games against conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 9, KJ Duff ranks 5th amongst FBS players for receiving touchdowns (9) this season.

Michigan Wolverines Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 9, JJ Buchanan leads Michigan for receptions (33) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Rutgers ranks 136th among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (10.9).
• Rutgers ranks 134th among FBS teams for H1 opponent points per game this season (20.7).
• Michigan has recorded the equal-most home wins by a margin of five points or less of any FBS team this season (2).
• Michigan has recorded the equal-most home wins by a margin of three points or less of any FBS team this season (2).