Rutgers at Illinois - 2025 Matchup Preview
Rutgers logo   Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Illinois Fighting Illini  Illinois logo
Saturday, November 1st 2025 (12:00 PM EDT)
Illinois -13.5 (63.5) (-500)  Open: -10.5
Illinois 35 - Rutgers: 13  (Big Ten)

 
Scarlet Knights (5 - 7) (6 - 6 - 0)
Coach Greg Schiano (26 - 33)
Avg Score : 29 - 32 (19 - 34 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5 - 7 (#86)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 3) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
RUTG 2nd straight Road Game
RUTG is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Illinois -13  (SP+ ILL -12)

Projected Score: RUTG: 23 - ILL: 36 (58)
ILL Win prob: 84% | Cover: 56%
RUTG Travel: 725 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Fighting Illini (9 - 4) (8 - 4 - 1)
Coach Bret Bielema (27 - 22)
Avg Score : 29 - 24 (31 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.3 - 4.7 (#51)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 1)
 
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+2.546.5L 28 - 38ON
Sat 9/27 Rutgers at Minnesota+3.551.5L 28 - 31OY
BYE WEEK
Fri 10/10 Rutgers at Washington+9.562.5L 19 - 38UN
Sat 10/18 Rutgers vs Oregon+17.562.5L 10 - 56ON
Sat 10/25 Rutgers at Purdue+2.560.5W 27 - 24UY
Sat 11/1 Rutgers at Illinois+13.563.5L 13 - 35UN
Sat 11/8 Rutgers vs Maryland-1.556.5W 35 - 20UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 Rutgers at Ohio State+29.054.0L 9 - 42UN
Sat 11/29 Rutgers vs Penn State+14.555.5L 36 - 40OY

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 3, Avg 1, Bad 3, Poor 0
Played: Elite: 3, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 3, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 3, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 3, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 3, Good: 0, Avg: 1, 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+7.051.5L 10 - 63ON
Sat 9/27 Illinois vs USC+6.562.5W 34 - 32OY
Sat 10/4 Illinois at Purdue-7.555.5W 43 - 27OY
Sat 10/11 Illinois vs Ohio State+15.551.5L 16 - 34UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/25 Illinois at Washington+3.554.5L 25 - 42ON
Sat 11/1 Illinois vs Rutgers-13.563.5W 35 - 13UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Illinois vs Maryland-15.551.5W 24 - 6UY
Sat 11/22 Illinois at Wisconsin-8.542.5L 10 - 27UN
Sat 11/29 Illinois vs Northwestern-7.044.5W 20 - 13UN
Tue 12/30 Illinois vs Tennessee+3.062.5W 30 - 28UY

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

Predictions for Illinois's Schedule
Important Stats (2024)
 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)28.744% (69)2.92 (88)16442% (63)1894.19 (44)#106 (.23)43% (85)31.848% (113)40% (59)4.03 (92)33.80.60.9
ILL#31 (.25)45% (45)29.445% (51)3.14 (49)14044% (44)1984.23 (39)#76 (.18)46% (115)23.650% (127)43% (90)3.48 (37)390.91.5
 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
RUTG0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
ILL0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
RUTG Offense1328.719.242.9%4.190.6213531641894.553%47%44%42%14%.16
ILL Defense1323.614.446.3%3.481.5 - - - - - 48%52%50%43%13%.18
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
RUTG Defense1331.83443.3%4.030.9 - - - - - 46%54%48%40%15%.23
ILL Offense1329.431.344.6%4.230.9193381401984.453%47%45%44%18%.25

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Rutgers1329:302143%48%3.933.80.60.93.71.5129.4
Illinois1326:5218.744%50%5.1390.91.53.82.2130.2
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 Offense1353% (51)44% (69)36.8163.84.524 (45).1 (87)2.92 (88)76% (52)7% (11)0.91 (97)
ILL Defense1348% (37)50% (127) - - - - .19 (108)3.57 (132)75% (75)8% (120)0.8 (5)
 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 Defense1346% (18)48% (113) - - - - .26 (126)3.2 (99)82% (123)8% (115)1.07 (104)
ILL Offense1353% (50)45% (51)31.81404.420 (67).13 (67)3.14 (49)81% (17)11% (107)0.91 (95)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
RUTG Offense1347% (88)42% (63)15.327.9189.26.812.417 (79)6 (10).25 (75)1.6 (63)30% (42)34% (37).42 (32)7% (108)2 (69)
ILL Defense1352% (95)43% (90) - - - - - - 12 (39).19 (44)1.4 (17)28% (117)34% (111).37 (97)6% (84)1.9 (40)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
RUTG Defense1354% (117)40% (59) - - - - - - 7 (104).23 (69)1.6 (82)33% (50)31% (75).32 (76)7% (49)2.2 (101)
ILL Offense1347% (83)44% (44)15.425.5197.87.812.921 (51)5 (6).38 (16)1.8 (15)31% (62)31% (81).42 (31)6% (82)2.3 (5)

Rutgers's Power Ratings
Rutgers's Power Rating: 8.93  #44
Rutgers's Offense Rating: 25.92  #9
Rutgers's Defense Rating: 16.99  #94
2025 Talent Rating: 836.00  #45
Blue Chip Ratio: 3%  #65
Rutgers's 2025 Expected Record: 5.0 - 7.0
Rutgers's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.0  #72
Rutgers's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.6  #39
Rutgers's Defense SP+ Rating: 30.7  #95

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Rutgers: 8.93   Illinois: 17.76

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Rutgers: 1.0   Illinois: 12.9




Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 17.76  #15
Illinois's Offense Rating: 26.51  #8
Illinois's Defense Rating: 8.89  #37
2025 Talent Rating: 864.00  #37
Blue Chip Ratio: 10  #39
Illinois's 2025 Expected Record: 8.3 - 4.7
Illinois's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 12.9  #24
Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.3  #27
Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.7  #41

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Rutgers Scoring
Offense: 28.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 19.2
Defense: 31.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 34

Rutgers's 2025 Record
Record: 5 - 7
Record vs Spread: 6 - 6 - 0
Over/Under Record: 7 - 5
Record on Road: 1 - 4
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 3 - 5 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 2 - 3 - 0
Projected Score
Illinois 36
Rutgers 23


Projected Total Points: 58
Illinois Scoring
Offense: 29.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 31.3
Defense: 23.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 14.4

Illinois's 2025 Record
Record: 9 - 4
Record vs Spread: 8 - 4 - 1
Over/Under Record: 5 - 8
Record at home: 6 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 5 - 1 - 1
Record as Fav vs Spread: 6 - 1 - 1
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 4 - 0 - 1


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202511/01Illinois35Rutgers13Illinois -13.5Illinois63.5Under
202411/23Rutgers31Illinois38Rutgers -2.0Illinois48.0Over
202110/30Illinois14Rutgers20Rutgers -1.5Rutgers41.5Under
202011/14Rutgers20Illinois23Rutgers -5.5Illinois51.5Under
201911/02Illinois38Rutgers10Illinois -18.5Illinois49.0Under
201810/06Rutgers17Illinois38Illinois -4.5Illinois50.0Over
201710/14Illinois24Rutgers35Illinois -1Rutgers47.0Over
201610/15Rutgers7Illinois24Illinois -6Illinois52.0Under
200609/09Rutgers33Illinois0
200509/03Illinois33Rutgers30
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Illinois763 Overs
Rutgers325 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams4 - 62 - 62 - 30 - 3
Road Teams6 - 46 - 23 - 03 - 2

(#44) RUTG at (#15) ILL
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatRUTGILL
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #44 #15
SP+SP+ #72 #24
Perf GradeGrade #47 #24
OffenseOff #6 #12
DefenseDef #133 #69
Spec TeamsST #111 #91
TalentTal #45 #37
Blue ChipsBC% #65 #39
Rutgers Notes
(12/5) Fired DC Robb Smith after 1 season, also Co-DC out
(9/23) Kaliakmanis leads CFB in big time throws vs TWP
(9/19) Pass Off & Kaliakmanis good but inconsistent
(9/19) WR have 3 solid weapons, RB Raymond good
(9/19) Defense torn to shreds by Iowa. Yes, Iowa
(8/29) Run Def alarmingly bad vs Ohio, lucky to win
(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
Rutgers Injury Report
Illinois Notes
(11/22) Finishes 2-3 on road after awful L @ Wisconsin
(10/10) 1st in P4 at +42 Pts off TOs w/ a TO margin +7
(9/20) Destroyed by IU, outrushed 267 to 2! Off awful
(8/15) OL banged up in fall camp, not major
(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
Illinois Injury Report
Rutgers on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
RUTG OffILL Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #6 #69
SuccessSuc #67 #115
ExplosiveExp #103 #8
PPAPPA #84 #76
PowerPwr #9 #37
SP+SP+ #39 #41
Pts POPPO #44 #37
HavocHav #38 #117
Rutgers Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
RUTG OffILL Def
Run GameRun #49 #51
Run SuccessRSuc #69 #127
Run ExplRExp #97 #5
PPAExp #87 #108
Run BlockR Blk #6 -
OL YdsOLY #88 #132
Stuff RateStuff #70 #134
TackleTak -  #33
Rutgers Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
RUTG OffILL Def
Pass GamePass #7 #99
Pass SuccessPSuc #63 #90
Pass ExplPExl #63 #17
PPAExp #75 #44
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #71 #47
F7 HavocF7 #11 #120
DB HavocDB #108 #84
Illinois on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatILL OffRUTG Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #12 #133
SuccessSuc #45 #85
ExplosiveExp #44 #105
PPAPPA #31 #106
PowerPwr #8 #94
SP+SP+ #27 #95
Pts POPPO #39 #92
HavocHav #103 #85
Illinois Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffRUTG Def
Run GameRun #54 #133
Run SuccessRSuc #51 #113
Run ExplRExp #95 #104
PPAExp #67 #126
Run BlockR Blk #5 -
OL YdsOLY #49 #99
Stuff RateStuff #20 #78
TackleTak -  #73
Illinois Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatILL OffRUTG Def
Pass GamePass #35 #117
Pass SuccessPSuc #44 #59
Pass ExplPExl #15 #82
PPAExp #16 #69
Pass Block/RushP Blk #74 #105
F7 HavocF7 #107 #115
DB HavocDB #82 #49
Program Comparison
ILL 5 Year Profile: Improving Average P4
'25 Profile: Up to Top 25 Contenders

RUTG 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'25 Profile: Remains Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 10
Illinois -13.5 (63.5)
Illinois won vs Rutgers this year (35-13)

Previous Matchups
Illinois beat Rutgers last year (35-13)
Illinois beat Rutgers in 2024 (38-31)

  
RUTG's OC Kirk Ciarrocca (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Athan Kaliakmanis22936862%31242078.5
AJ Surace4944%58206.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Antwan Raymond2441241135.151
Ja'shon Benjamin6832824.819
CJ Campbell2211905.422
Samuel Brown V163802.49
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
KJ Duff601084718.172
Ian Strong52762514.745
DT Sheffield (Tr)44577513.154
Kenny Fletcher2623609.139

View Rutgers's Full Roster

RUTG's DC Robb Smith (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jett Elad (Tr)773011
Dariel Djabome676220
Kaj Sanders640001
Abram Wright531012
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Bradley Weaver (Tr)287331
Eric O'Neill (Tr)37103101
Dariel Djabome676220
Cam Miller (Tr)432105
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Cam Miller (Tr)432105
Bo Mascoe482004
Jacobie Henderson (Tr)393003

ILL's OC Barry Lunney Jr. (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Luke Altmyer24636567%30072258.2
Ethan Hampton (Tr)3475%27016.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ca'Lil Valentine13161444.725
Kaden Feagin12250774.226
Aidan Laughery7538235.157
Luke Altmyer10024252.436
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Hank Beatty70864312.362
Collin Dixon35548515.761
Hudson Clement (Tr)36454312.627
Justin Bowick (Tr)22265512.025

View Illinois's Full Roster

ILL's DC Aaron Henry (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Matthew Bailey764012
Miles Scott644104
Dylan Rosiek534013
Torrie Cox Jr.501003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Gabe Jacas44141161
Leon Lowery203240
Tomiwa Durojaiye (Tr)165231
Joe Barna202212
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaheim Clarke301007
Miles Scott644104
James Kreutz304003