The Rutgers Scarlet Knights take on the Boston College Eagles in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Boston College is favored by 3.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -146. The total is set at 54.5 points.
Here’s my Rutgers vs. Boston College prediction and college football pick for Friday, September 11.
Rutgers vs Boston College Prediction
- Rutgers vs. Boston College Pick: Boston College -3.5 (Play to -5.5)
My Boston College vs. Rutgers best bet is on the Eagles to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page. For more picks, be sure to download the Action Network app.
Rutgers vs Boston College Odds
| Rutgers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -122 | 54.5 -106o / -114u | +122 |
| Boston Col Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 +100 | 54.5 -106o / -114u | -146 |
- Rutgers vs Boston College point spread: Boston College -3.5 (+100), Rutgers +3.5 (-122)
- Rutgers vs Boston College over/under: 54.5 (-106o / -114u)
- Rutgers vs Boston College moneyline: Rutgers +122, Boston College -146
Rutgers vs Boston College College Football Preview
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Preview
It was quite a public start to the year for Rutgers.
Greg Schiano admitted at halftime that his team was not prepared ("they're running some interesting stuff we need to adjust to"). The Scarlet Knights were fully dominated in the trenches, and they were run out of their own stadium by UMass, one of the FBS' projected bottom-dwellers. Special teams were a disorganized mess — Rutgers was penalized for a delay of game on its first punt of the season and again later on — and the miscues piled up.
It was as bad a showing as a team could have.
But most egregious of all was the quarterback play. Boston College transfer Dylan Lonergan threw three interceptions, two of which were ghastly, inexcusable reads that really emphasized a lack of awareness. In response, Schiano benched Lonergan in favor of AJ Surace — there will be no homecoming for Lonergan against his former team.
Through the disaster of a game, receiver KJ Duff shone through as a legitimate superstar, hauling in almost 200 yards and all three of Rutgers' touchdowns. The 6-foot-6 All-American candidate was truly unguardable and really helped build his NFL resume.
The rest of the team — including All-Big Ten running back Antwan Raymond — was pitiful. Rutgers' power rating dropped more than a touchdown week-to-week in the consensus rankings.
This wasn't shell-shock. It was an honest butt-kicking from a team that was nearly a 30-point underdog. It's also reason for the panic button to be smashed for Schiano's tenure in Piscataway. Expected wins on this schedule have dropped to just one (Week 4 vs. FCS Howard).
Boston College Eagles Betting Preview
Projected ACC bottom-dweller Boston College didn't fare much better in its season opener, but at least it was to a respectable opponent in Cincinnati.
Perhaps the top concern was the defense — Boston College stuffed a Cincinnati run on just 24% of its attempts while the Bearcats piled up 254 rushing yards. There was a mismatch in the trenches (Cincy rosters one of the better offensive lines in the country), and that showed as quarterback JC French needed just 14 passing attempts to hang 34 points.
The Eagles did turn in an efficient game on the ground, but subpar quarterback play from Mason McKenzie led to zero first-half points and a boom-or-bust attack that ranked in the bottom 10% in EPA per Dropback while also generating six explosive plays. While the push was there up front, McKenzie attempted 16 rushes (third-most among QBs to have played one game) and Evan Dickens was held to just 11 carries for 47 yards.
Boston College went 1-for-4 on fourth-down attempts and managed just seven points outside of garbage time despite running 77 plays. To summarize the attack: "disjointed."
The Bill O'Brien offense wasn't for lack of trying — I wouldn't blame the inefficiency on the scheme more than on the lack of dynamite playmakers. Tight end Kaelen Chudzinski was supposed to serve as the go-to outlet, but he's out for the season, and his absence shows early.
Rutgers vs Boston College Pick, Betting Analysis
Before the Week 1 results finished, Rutgers was lined as a 6.5-point favorite in this game. However, the UMass showing flipped the script, now making Boston College a 3-point favorite.
The question is: was that game worth a 10-point move? And is the Red Bandana game worth an extra hook?
The concern here is that Rutgers' lines stink. Boston College struggled up front defensively, but the offensive line was serviceable. If there's a front capable of taking advantage of the Eagles, it's certainly not the Scarlet Knights'.
There's big money on Rutgers, which commands more than half the hold despite fewer than 30% of bets. At Rutgers, Schiano is 38-25-3 ATS (60.3%) as a road dog.
With a higher projected total and serious questions about both defenses, this is a high-variance game. But what's keeping this game from going to +3 if Rutgers commands so much of the money?
My guess here is a dissenting opinion respected enough to keep this line right where it's at.
This early in the season, when a bad team tells you who they are, listen to them. Rutgers is telling me it's bad.
Pick: Boston College -3.5 (Play to -5.5)
