Rutgers at Northwestern - 2021 Matchup Preview
Rutgers logo Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Northwestern WildcatsNorthwestern logo
Saturday, October 16th 2021 (12:00 PM EDT)
Rutgers -2.5 (45.0)
Northwestern 21 - Rutgers: 7  (Big Ten)

 
Scarlet Knights (5 - 8) (6 - 7 - 0)
Coach Greg Schiano (6 - 6)
Avg Score : 20 - 26 (16 - 16 on Road)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Wind: 13.7 MPH
NW coming off BYE
RUTG is playing their 7th straight game
Our Line: -1.5  (SP+ RUTG -8)
Projected Score: RUTG: 19 - NW: 23 (42)
RUTG Win prob: 55% | Cover: 49%
RUTG Travel: 694 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Wildcats (3 - 9) (3 - 9 - 0)
Coach Pat Fitzgerald (107 - 83)
Avg Score : 17 - 29 (21 - 19 @ Home)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Rutgers's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/4 Rutgers vs Temple-14.052.0W 61 - 14OY
Sat 9/11 Rutgers at Syracuse-2.550.5W 17 - 7UY
Sat 9/18 Rutgers vs Delaware-20.045.0W 45 - 13OY
Sat 9/25 Rutgers at Michigan+20.050.0L 13 - 20UY
Sat 10/2 Rutgers vs Ohio State+15.058.0L 13 - 52ON
Sat 10/9 Rutgers vs Michigan State+4.550.0L 13 - 31UN
Sat 10/16 Rutgers at Northwestern-2.545.0L 7 - 21UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/30 Rutgers at Illinois-1.541.5W 20 - 14UY
Sat 11/6 Rutgers vs Wisconsin+13.037.5L 3 - 52ON
Sat 11/13 Rutgers at Indiana+6.542.5W 38 - 3UY
Sat 11/20 Rutgers at Penn State+14.044.5L 0 - 28UN
Sat 11/27 Rutgers vs Maryland-2.053.0L 16 - 40ON
Fri 12/31 Rutgers vs Wake Forest+17.063.0L 10 - 38UN

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Rutgers's Schedule
Northwestern's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 9/3 Northwestern vs Michigan State-3.045.5L 21 - 38ON
Sat 9/11 Northwestern vs Indiana State-28.546.0W 24 - 6UN
Sat 9/18 Northwestern at Duke-2.550.0L 23 - 30ON
Sat 9/25 Northwestern vs Ohio-13.547.5W 35 - 6UY
Sat 10/2 Northwestern at Nebraska+11.051.5L 7 - 56ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/16 Northwestern vs Rutgers+2.545.0W 21 - 7UY
Sat 10/23 Northwestern at Michigan+23.551.5L 7 - 33UN
Sat 10/30 Northwestern vs Minnesota+7.543.5L 14 - 41ON
Sat 11/6 Northwestern vs Iowa+11.540.5L 12 - 17UY
Sat 11/13 Northwestern at Wisconsin+26.041.5L 7 - 35ON
Sat 11/20 Northwestern vs Purdue+11.047.5L 14 - 32UN
Sat 11/27 Northwestern at Illinois+7.045.0L 14 - 47ON

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Northwestern's Schedule
Important Stats (2021)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
RUTG.0639%19.742%3.0513836%1713.41.2340%25.640%40%3.5340.71.11.4
NW.1238%16.643%2.8314534%1772.97.347%2948%45%4.2841.91.81.5
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
RUTG#84 (.16)43% (67)44% (69)2.92 (88)16442% (63)1894.19 (44)#106 (.23)43% (85)48% (113)40% (59)4.03 (92)33.80.60.9
NW#129 (.02)37% (123)39% (113)2.63 (124)9936% (116)1863.02 (127)#57 (.15)45% (106)44% (80)46% (117)3.74 (64)38.81.51.3



Overall Stats 2021
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
RUTG Offense1319.715.839.2%3.411.1173101381713.652%48%42%36%17%.06
NW Defense122919.246.6%4.281.5 - - - - - 53%47%48%45%12%.3
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
RUTG Defense1325.615.539.9%3.531.4 - - - - - 54%46%40%40%17%.23
NW Offense1216.621.238.3%2.971.8173221451773.951%48%43%34%20%.12

Additional Stats 2021
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Rutgers1330:1817.532%36%540.71.11.45.61.7230.4
Northwestern1228:1017.336%50%4.741.91.81.541.6026.7
Run Game Stats (2021)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
RUTG Offense1352%42%38.5138.43.620.093.0573%11%0.86
NW Defense1253%48% - - - - .353.4975%8%1.17
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
RUTG Defense1354%40% - - - - .12.9568%11%0.98
NW Offense1251%43%37.71453.912.122.8377%12%0.96

Pass Game Stats (2021)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
RUTG Offense1348%36%17.830.3171.55.79.7910.031.332%23%.076%1.7
NW Defense1247%45% - - - - - - 6.231.329%35%.424%1.9
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
RUTG Defense1346%40% - - - - - - 7.421.933%33%.426%2.1
NW Offense1248%34%17.330.4177.35.810.21314.141.533%24%.167%2

Rutgers's Power Ratings
Rutgers's Power Rating: NR
Rutgers's Offense Rating: NR
Rutgers's Defense Rating: NR
2021 Talent Rating:  #64
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Rutgers's 2021 Expected Record: -
Rutgers's 2021 Overall SP+ Rating: -3.0  #88
Rutgers's Offense SP+ Rating: 20.8  #110
Rutgers's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.7  #46

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 482

Power Ratings Matchup
Rutgers:    Northwestern: -3.05

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Rutgers: -3.0   Northwestern: -11.1




Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: -3.05 NR
Northwestern's Offense Rating: NR
Northwestern's Defense Rating: NR
2021 Talent Rating:  #44
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 NR
Northwestern's 2021 Expected Record: -
Northwestern's 2021 Overall SP+ Rating: -11.1  #107
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 19.4  #119
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 27.3  #72

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 482


Rutgers Scoring
Offense: 19.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 15.8
Defense: 25.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 15.5

Rutgers's 2021 Record
Record: 5 - 8
Record vs Spread: 6 - 7 - 0
Over/Under Record: 5 - 8
Record on Road: 3 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 4 - 2 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 4 - 2 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Northwestern 23
Rutgers 19

Total Points: 42

Based on Last 4 Games
Northwestern 25
Rutgers 16

Total Points: 41

Based on Entire Season
Rutgers 21
Northwestern 20

Total Points: 41
Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 16.6 PPG
Offense at Home: 21.2
Defense: 29 PPG
Defense at Home: 19.2

Northwestern's 2021 Record
Record: 3 - 9
Record vs Spread: 3 - 9 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 6
Record at home: 3 - 3
Record vs Spread at home: 3 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 6 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202309/03Rutgers24Northwestern7Rutgers -5Rutgers39.0Under
202110/16Northwestern21Rutgers7Rutgers -2.5Northwestern45.0Under
201810/20Rutgers15Northwestern18Northwestern -20Rutgers48.5Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Northwestern210 Overs
Rutgers123 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams2 - 13 - 01 - 02 - 0
Road Teams1 - 20 - 30 - 20 - 1

(#) RUTG at (#) NW
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatRUTGNW
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #88 #107
Perf GradeGrade #117 #122
OffenseOff #117 #122
DefenseDef #114 #112
Spec TeamsST #27 #47
TalentTal #64 #44
Blue ChipsBC%NRNR
Rutgers on Offense
CategoryCat
RUTG OffNW Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #117 #112
SuccessSucNRNR
ExplosiveExpNRNR
PPAPPANRNR
PowerPwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #110 #72
Pts POPPONRNR
HavocHavNRNR
Rutgers Run Game
CategoryCat
RUTG OffNW Def
Run GameRun #51 #120
Run SuccessRSucNRNR
Run ExplRExpNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Run BlockR Blk #126 -
OL YdsOLYNRNR
Stuff RateStuffNRNR
TackleTak -  #78
Rutgers Pass Game
CategoryCat
RUTG OffNW Def
Pass GamePass #131 #79
Pass SuccessPSucNRNR
Pass ExplPExlNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #57 #119
F7 HavocF7NRNR
DB HavocDBNRNR
Northwestern on Offense
CategoryCatNW OffRUTG Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #122 #114
SuccessSucNRNR
ExplosiveExpNRNR
PPAPPANRNR
PowerPwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #119 #46
Pts POPPONRNR
HavocHavNRNR
Northwestern Run Game
CategoryCat
NW OffRUTG Def
Run GameRun #73 #89
Run SuccessRSucNRNR
Run ExplRExpNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Run BlockR Blk #57 -
OL YdsOLYNRNR
Stuff RateStuffNRNR
TackleTak -  #77
Northwestern Pass Game
CategoryCatNW OffRUTG Def
Pass GamePass #133 #122
Pass SuccessPSucNRNR
Pass ExplPExlNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Pass Block/RushP Blk #69 #101
F7 HavocF7NRNR
DB HavocDBNRNR
Program Comparison
NW 5 Year Profile: Declining Top G5
'21 Profile: Down to Below Avg G5

RUTG 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg G5
'21 Profile: Up to Average G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Ryan Field
Conditions: Fair
Temp: 56° - Wind: 14 mph
Rematch from Week 7
Rutgers 2.5 (45.0)
Northwestern won vs Rutgers this year (21-7)

Previous Matchups
Rutgers beat Northwestern in 2023 (24-7)

  
RUTG's OC Sean Gleeson (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Rutgers's Full Roster

RUTG's DC Robb Smith (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD

NW's OC Mike Bajakian (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Northwestern's Full Roster

NW's DC Jim O'Neil (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD