by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Sep 20, 2023
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET, Saturday, September 23, 2023
Venue: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Where to Watch: Big Ten Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Rutgers +24, Michigan -24; Over/Under: 44.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Rutgers +24, Michigan -24; Over/Under: 44.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Rutgers +24, Michigan -24; Over/Under: 44.5 points
Season Record
Rutgers Scarlet Knights: 3-0 (1-0) (3rd place, Big Ten East)
Michigan Wolverines: 3-0 (0-0) (5th place, Big Ten East)
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Recent Form
Rutgers Scarlet Knights: won their last game at home against the Virginia Tech Hokies 35-16.
Michigan Wolverines: won their last game at home against the Bowling Green Falcons 31-6.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Michigan Wolverines Preview and Analysis
Rutgers is entering this game with a 3-0 record overall and they have a 1-0 record in their conference games too. They are 3-0 in their home games, 0-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against VA Tech 35-16. Gavin Wimsatt was the starting QB and he completed 7/16 passes for 46 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions. Kyle Monangai led the team in rushing yards with 143 and 3 TDs. Christian Dremel led the receivers with 34 receiving yards on 3 receptions and 1 TD. Robert Longerbeam led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 1 assisted tackle while Robert Longerbeam, Tyreem Powell, Aaron Lewis, and Mayan Ahanotu each led the defense in sacks with 1. Michael Dixon came away with the only interception for them in that game.
Michigan is entering this game with a 3-0 record overall and they have a 0-0 record in their conference games too. They are 3-0 in their home games, 0-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against Bowling Green State 31-6. J.J. McCarthy was the starting QB and he completed 8/13 passes for 143 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Blake Corum led the team in rushing yards with 101 and 2 TDs. Cornelius Johnson led the receivers with 71 receiving yards on 3 receptions and 1 TD. Junior Colson led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Cam Goode, Mike Sainristil, and Jaylen Harrell each led the defense in sacks with 1. Kris Jenkins and Quinten Johnson each came away with 1 interception for them in that game.
Rutgers vs Michigan Prediction
The current betting odds have Michigan listed as a 24 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Rutgers is off to a 3-0 start this season and they have looked really good in their games, but all 3 of their games played this season have been at home and they haven't really seen any tough teams either. Now they have to play one of the best teams in the country and they are going to be in their 1st road game of the season. Rutgers is going to get a nice shot of reality in this game with Michigan opening up their conference schedule at home. Michigan hasn't been running up the score in any of their games this season but this is the conference schedule now which means they are going to be a lot more serious in these games and this will also be their 1st game of the season with their coach Harbaugh back on the sidelines. Michigan may have had a lethargic effort in their first 3 games but the real Michigan will come out in this conference game and they will be looking to run up the score at home against another conference opponent who is also off to a 3-0 start. The best way to place a bet here is on Michigan to cover the spread in this game.
Rutgers Michigan Prediction: Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, September 23, 2023 (12:00 pm ET start time) is Michigan 49 Rutgers 10.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Rutgers Scarlet Knights Michigan Wolverines prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAF predictions and previews.
NCAAF Betting Trends
Rutgers Scarlet Knights: 14-30 ATS as an underdog of 21.5 to 31 points. 8-18 ATS after gaining 75 or less passing yards in the last game. 10-2 UNDER in road games. 8-3 UNDER when the total is between 42.5 and 49. 8-3 UNDER off 1 or more straight overs.
Michigan Wolverines: 6-1 ATS when the total is between 42.5 and 49. 14-6 ATS against conference opponents. 17-8 ATS off 3 or more consecutive unders. 14-2 UNDER as a home favorite. 9-3 UNDER off a home win by 17 points or more.
Key Injuries
Rutgers Scarlet Knights: J. De Croce (OL) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. J. Ofurie (WR) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. N. Brantley (WR) Ques Sat - Eligibility. A. Young (RB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. D. Djabome (LB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. C. Long (WR) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. T. Needham (OL) Ques Sat - Undisclosed.
Michigan Wolverines: A. Walker (WR) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. G. Green (DB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. J. Rolder (LB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. L. Forbes (WR) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. T. Dunlap (RB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. B. Hall (RB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. D. Clemons (WR) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. C. Brandt (DL) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. R. Moore (DB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. Z. Berry (DB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. J. McBurrows (DB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. C. Stokes (RB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. J. Tuttle (QB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed.
Notable Quotes
“Yeah, he’s running very, very hard, running smart, running determined. Thank goodness, right, because he’s helped us win games.” - Greg Schiano on Kyle Monangai after his team’s win against VA Tech in their last game.
“Put them all on me. There’s a lot of stuff that obviously didn’t go my way, didn’t go the offense’s way.” - J.J. McCarthy on his performance in their win against BGSU in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
WR Washington, Isaiah
WR Long, Chris
WR Dremel, Christian
TE Langan, Johnny
QB Wimsatt, Gavin
RB Brown V, Samuel
Michigan Wolverines
WR Johnson, Cornelius
WR Moore, Fredrick
WR Wilson, Roman
TE Bredeson, Max
QB McCarthy, J.J.
RB Corum, Blake
Statistical Leaders
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Passing: G. Wimsatt (407)
Rushing: K. Monangai (357)
Receiving: J. Jackson (99)
Touchdowns: K. Monangai (5)
Michigan Wolverines
Passing: J. McCarthy (701)
Rushing: B. Corum (254)
Receiving: C. Johnson (224)
Touchdowns: R. Wilson (6)
Coaches:
Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Greg Schiano (15th season)
Michigan Wolverines: Jim Harbaugh (9th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
