Rutgers at Illinois - 2025 Matchup Preview
Rutgers logo Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Illinois Fighting Illini(#9)Illinois logo
Saturday, November 1st 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Memorial Stadium - Champaign, IL  (Big Ten)

 
Scarlet Knights (3 - 0) (2 - 1 - 0)
Coach Greg Schiano (26 - 33)
Avg Score : 46 - 19 (46 - 19 on Road)
Record Prediction: 6 - 6 (#82)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 3)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 4) (Good: 4) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
RUTG 2nd straight Road Game
RUTG is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Illinois -13.5   (SP+ ILL -9)

Projected Score: RUTG: 22 - ILL: 35 (57)
ILL Win prob: 84% | Cover: 56%
RUTG Travel: 725 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Fighting Illini (3 - 0) (3 - 0 - 0)
Coach Bret Bielema (27 - 22)
Avg Score : 45 - 7 (45 - 2 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 9.3 - 2.7 (#17)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 2)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 3) (Good: 4) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
 
Rutgers's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/28 Rutgers vs Ohio-11.546.5W 34 - 31ON
Sat 9/6 Rutgers vs Miami (OH)-15.545.5W 45 - 17OY
Sat 9/13 Rutgers vs Norfolk State-44.556.5W 60 - 10OY
Fri 9/19 Rutgers vs Iowa+2.545.5
Sat 9/27 Rutgers at Minnesota+6
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/11 Rutgers at Washington+9
Sat 10/18 Rutgers vs Oregon+17.5
Sat 10/25 Rutgers at Purdue-11.5
Sat 11/1 Rutgers at Illinois+13.5
Sat 11/8 Rutgers vs Maryland-1.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 Rutgers at Ohio State+22.5
Sat 11/29 Rutgers vs Penn State+18

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 4, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 4, Good: 4, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Rutgers's Schedule
Illinois's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Illinois vs Western Illinois-48.562.5W 52 - 3UY
Sat 9/6 Illinois at Duke-2.549.0W 45 - 19OY
Sat 9/13 Illinois vs Western Michigan-27.550.5W 38 - 0UY
Sat 9/20 Illinois at Indiana+4.052.5
Sat 9/27 Illinois vs USC+2.5
Sat 10/4 Illinois at Purdue-22.5
Sat 10/11 Illinois vs Ohio State+6.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/25 Illinois at Washington-1.5
Sat 11/1 Illinois vs Rutgers-13.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Illinois vs Maryland-12.5
Sat 11/22 Illinois at Wisconsin-9
Sat 11/29 Illinois vs Northwestern-23.5

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Illinois's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)
 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#31 (.33)53% (22)46.350% (42)3.09 (59)16556% (14)2963.93 (70)#99 (.19)39% (68)19.336% (46)42% (85)3.92 (85)31.301.3
ILL#25 (.37)50% (30)4551% (34)3.13 (55)16549% (36)2415.76 (5)#35 (.03)38% (56)7.332% (21)42% (80)2.09 (16)52.302
 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
ILL#31 (.25)45% (45)45% (51)3.14 (49)14044% (44)1984.23 (39)#76 (.18)46% (115)50% (127)43% (90)3.48 (37)390.91.5



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
RUTG Offense346.346.352.6%3.93029461165296452%48%50%56%8%.33
ILL Defense37.31.537.6%2.092 - - - - - 42%58%32%42%18%.03
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
RUTG Defense319.319.339.2%3.921.3 - - - - - 45%54%36%42%14%.19
ILL Offense3454550.3%5.760224061652414.351%49%51%49%13%.37

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Rutgers335:3829.350%80%431.301.351.3331.2
Illinois333:292247%100%5.752.3026.33137.3
Run Game Stats (2025)
 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 Offense352% (59)50% (42)41.3164.746 (49).15 (61)3.09 (59)90% (14)6% (27)0.87 (92)
ILL Defense342% (19)32% (21) - - - - -.24 (4)2.56 (49)43% (10)14% (22)0.43 (1)
 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 Defense345% (36)36% (46) - - - - .23 (114)3.29 (122)40% (7)9% (85)1.37 (127)
ILL Offense351% (66)51% (34)38.7164.74.39 (17).18 (50)3.13 (55)69% (83)11% (103)0.91 (80)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
RUTG Offense348% (75)56% (14)22.331.3296.39.513.39 (13)0 (1).53 (21)1.4 (90)25% (23)44% (16).41 (51)2% (7)1.5 (122)
ILL Defense358% (121)42% (80) - - - - - - 1 (87).22 (73)1.6 (88)34% (59)33% (95).14 (40)4% (104)1.6 (34)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
RUTG Defense354% (101)42% (85) - - - - - - 2 (56).25 (80)1.6 (78)41% (5)35% (112).48 (113)5% (85)2.1 (86)
ILL Offense349% (68)49% (36)1926.32419.212.78 (18)0 (1).57 (17)1.8 (22)31% (78)48% (7).82 (8)3% (16)2 (68)

Rutgers's Power Ratings
Rutgers's Power Rating: 11.17 #52
Rutgers's Offense Rating: 21.15 #28
Rutgers's Defense Rating: 9.98 #81
2025 Talent Rating: 836.00 #45
Blue Chip Ratio: 3% #65
Rutgers's 2025 Expected Record: 6.0 - 6.0
Rutgers's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 8.6 #46
Rutgers's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.1 #31
Rutgers's Defense SP+ Rating: 24.6 #54

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85

Power Ratings Matchup
Rutgers: 11.17   Illinois: 23.165

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Rutgers: 8.6   Illinois: 17.7




Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 23.165 #19
Illinois's Offense Rating: 24.50 #19
Illinois's Defense Rating: 0.87 #30
2025 Talent Rating: 864.00 #37
Blue Chip Ratio: 10 #39
Illinois's 2025 Expected Record: 9.3 - 2.7
Illinois's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 17.7 #16
Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 34.7 #23
Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 17.2 #20

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85


Rutgers Scoring
Offense: 46.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 46.3
Defense: 19.3 PPG
Defense on Road: 19.3

Rutgers's 2025 Record
Record: 3 - 0
Record vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Illinois 35
Rutgers 22


Total Points: 57

Illinois Scoring
Offense: 45 PPG
Offense at Home: 45
Defense: 7.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 1.5

Illinois's 2025 Record
Record: 3 - 0
Record vs Spread: 3 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 2 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 2 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202411/23Rutgers31Illinois38IllinoisRutgers -2.0Illinois48.0Over
202110/30Illinois14Rutgers20RutgersRutgers -1.5Rutgers41.5Under
202011/14Rutgers20Illinois23IllinoisRutgers -5.5Illinois51.5Under
201911/02Illinois38Rutgers10IllinoisIllinois -18.5Illinois49.0Under
201810/06Rutgers17Illinois38IllinoisIllinois -4.5Illinois50.0Over
201710/14Illinois24Rutgers35RutgersIllinois -1Rutgers47.0Over
201610/15Rutgers7Illinois24IllinoisIllinois -6Illinois52.0Under
200609/09Rutgers33Illinois0Rutgers
200509/03Illinois33Rutgers30Illinois
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Illinois653 Overs
Rutgers324 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams3 - 61 - 61 - 30 - 3
Road Teams6 - 36 - 13 - 03 - 1

(#52) Rutgers Info
Power Rating: 11.17 #52
Offense Rating: 21.15 #28
Defense Rating: 9.98 #81
Overall SP+ Rating: 8.6 #46
Offense SP+ Rating: 33.1 #31
Defense SP+ Rating: 24.6 #54
Talent Rating: 836.00 #45
Blue Chip Ratio: 3% #65
Expected Record: 6.0 - 6.0

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 52%
Great Offense Success Rate of 53%
Great Offensive Explosiveness
Bad in Scoring Position 3.93 PPO
Good Run Success 50%
Great Pass Success 56%
Good OL Grades, Avg OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Bad Sacks/Turnovers
Bad Defense Success Rate of 39%
Bad in Scoring Position 3.92 PPO
Avg Run Def Success 36%
Bad Pass Def Success 42%
Poor Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position

Rutgers has lost 5 straight
Rutgers has lost 3 straight on the Road
Record on Road: 0 - 0 (0 - 0 - 0 vs Spread )

Rutgers Notes
(8/21) OT R Langsdale out for season, big loss
(6/10) OL 4/5 back. 5 portal adds, looks pretty good
(6/10) Def not great LY, returns a lot. 9 portal adds
(6/10) OL has top 10 exp, 87% of which returning
(5/15) DL added 5 portals, JMU's best DE & DT
(5/13) Def portals very productive, esp on the DL
(4/24) WR Sheffield big add w Strong/Duff. Very good
(3/29) QB Kaliakmanis back, JAG+. Can run
(3/29) HC Schiano v good. Has bowled last 2 years
(3/21) RB Raymond good FR LY, portal Campbell (FAU)

Rutgers Highlights
Rutgers in Undefeated

Rutgers offense is efficent (#22)
Rutgers offense is good on 3rd downs
Rutgers does Not Get Runs Stuffed (#25)

Rutgers has a great TO Margin (#1)
Rutgers commits very few Penalties (#25)

Rutgers Deficiencies
Rutgers gives up a Lot of Explosive Plays (#117)
Rutgers has a bad defensive line (#122)

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatILLRUTG
OverallOver#15#14
OffenseOff#14#1
DefenseDef#23#87
Special TeamsST#45#89
PassingPass#29#1
RushingRush#17#38
Run BlockRBLK#21#4
Pass BlockPBLK#81#8
Route RunningWR Rt#24#2
TacklingTkl#32#56
Run DefenseR Def#19#87
Pass Rush DefPRush#16#55
Coverage DefCov#59#90

Previous Matchups
Illinois beat Rutgers last year (38-31)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: RUTG | ILL
Depth Chart: RUTG | ILL
Rosters: RUTG | ILL
(#19) Illinois Info
Power Rating: 23.165 #19
Offense Rating: 24.50 #19
Defense Rating: 0.87 #30
Overall SP+ Rating: 17.7 #16
Offense SP+ Rating: 34.7 #23
Defense SP+ Rating: 17.2 #20
Talent Rating: 864.00 #37
Blue Chip Ratio: 10 #39
Expected Record: 9.3 - 2.7

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 51%
Good Offense Success Rate of 50%
Good Offensive Explosiveness
Great in Scoring Position 5.76 PPO
Good Run Success 51%
Good Pass Success 49%
Avg OL Grades, Avg OL Yds Per Rush
Great DL Grades, Great Sacks/Turnovers
Avg Defense Success Rate of 38%
Great in Scoring Position 2.09 PPO
Great Run Def Success 32%
Bad Pass Def Success 42%
Good Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position

Illinois has lost 5 straight
Illinois has lost 2 straight at Home
Record at home: 2 - 0 (2 - 0 - 0 vs Spread)

Illinois Notes
(6/6) QB Altmyer 3rd yr w/ OC Lunney. Big goals TY
(6/6) RBs Laughery good, Feegan back from inj (hip)
(6/6) WRs lost top 2, Clement (WVU) + Bowick (BSU)
(6/6) OL has 4/5 back, 3 portals, should improve TY
(6/6) Def looks really deep, could be better unit
(6/6) Secondary one of best in B1G, Pass rush ?
(6/6) Def good LY, returns a lot. 7 portal DL added
(5/23) Illini were 5-1 in 1 score games LY
(4/5) OC Lunney underrated, good play caller
(4/4) Beilema good HC, returns a ton. Big year?

Illinois Highlights
Illinois is Undefeated vs Spread
Illinois in Undefeated
Illinois is Undefeated at Home
Illinois is Undefeated vs Spread at Home

Illinois offense is efficent (#30)
Illinois offense is good in red zone (#5)
Illinois offense is good on 3rd downs
Illinois Defense Sacks the QB a lot

Illinois defense is really good in red zone (#16)
Illinois has a good run defense (#21)
Illinois Stuffs a lot of Run Plays (#6)
Illinois Front 7 is disruptive (#22)
Illinois has a great TO Margin (#1)

Illinois Deficiencies


  
Rutgers's OC Kirk Ciarrocca
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Athan Kaliakmanis628573%820709.6
AJ Surace4757%58208.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Antwan Raymond4324855.835
CJ Campbell2211905.422
Ja'shon Benjamin2110214.915
Edd Guerrier72503.69
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
KJ Duff17244214.432
Ian Strong16216213.526
DT Sheffield (Tr)12201216.854
Ben Black356118.737

View Rutgers's Full Roster
Rutgers's DC Robb Smith
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kaj Sanders160001
Moses Walker152001
Jett Elad (Tr)141010
Eric O'Neill (Tr)113100
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Djibril Abdou Rahman21100
Dariel Djabome101110
Jordan Thompson41100
Eric O'Neill (Tr)113100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Bo Mascoe81002
Kaj Sanders160001
Keshon Griffin21011

Illinois's OC Barry Lunney Jr.
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Luke Altmyer567872%709809.1
Ethan Hampton (Tr)11100%140014.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Kaden Feagin5022234.426
Ca'Lil Valentine2515826.323
Aidan Laughery1510627.157
Hank Beatty125125.025
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Hank Beatty19289115.259
Justin Bowick (Tr)886310.821
Hudson Clement (Tr)575015.027
Malik Elzy571014.225

View Illinois's Full Roster
Illinois's DC Aaron Henry
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Malachi Hood140000
Miles Scott141000
Matthew Bailey130010
Leon Lowery92100
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Gabe Jacas84421
Tomiwa Durojaiye (Tr)51120
Tanner Heckel41101
Leon Lowery92100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Joe Barna30002
Xavier Scott62002
Torrie Cox Jr.80001