Howard at Rutgers - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Howard Bison at Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Rutgers logo
Saturday, September 26th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
SHI Stadium - Piscataway, NJ

 
Bison (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach ( - )
Avg Score : 7 - 55 (7 - 55 on Road)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
RUTG 2nd straight Home Game
HOW coming off BYE
RUTG is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Rutgers -4  (SP+ RUTG -1)
RUTG Win prob: 62% | Cover: 49%
Scarlet Knights (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Greg Schiano (99 - 108)
Avg Score : 29 - 32 (35 - 30 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5.5 - 6.5 (#73)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 4) (Good: 0) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 4)
 
Howard's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Howard at Maryland+4.5————
Sat 9/12Howard at Indiana+32.5————
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/26Howard at Rutgers+4————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

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 Howard's Schedule
Rutgers's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3Rutgers vs Massachusetts-34.5————
Fri 9/11Rutgers at Boston College-2————
Sat 9/19Rutgers vs USC+16.5————
Sat 9/26Rutgers vs Howard-25————
Sat 10/3Rutgers vs Indiana+25.5————
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/17Rutgers at Maryland+3————
Sat 10/24Rutgers at Northwestern+4————
Sat 10/31Rutgers vs Michigan+15————
Sat 11/7Rutgers at Wisconsin+1————
Sat 11/14Rutgers vs Nebraska+2————
Sat 11/21Rutgers at Penn State+18.5————
Sat 11/28Rutgers vs Michigan State-4.5————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

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

Predictions for Rutgers'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
HOW0%70%000%000%550%0%0000
RUTG#37 (.21)47% (20)28.746% (41)3.03 (55)14247% (18)2663.38 (102)#134 (.31)47% (128)31.847% (113)49% (132)4.45 (131)32.60.91
 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
HOW0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
RUTG0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
HOW Offense1770%00000000%0%0%0%0%
RUTG Defense1231.830.347.4%4.451 - - - - - 50%49%47%49%12%.31
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
HOW Defense155550%00 - - - - - 0%0%0%0%0%
RUTG Offense1228.735.446.8%3.380.9234081422663.749%50%46%47%16%.21

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
Howard10:000NAN%0%0000000100
Rutgers1232:3123.343%62%4.132.60.913.90.9328.1
Run Game Stats (2026)
 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
HOW Offense10%0%000000%0%0
RUTG Defense1250% (64)47% (113) - - - - .26 (134)3.15 (110)66% (28)9% (106)1.13 (131)
 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
HOW Defense10%0% - - - - 00%0%0
RUTG Offense1249% (74)46% (41)38.8141.53.719 (49).09 (80)3.03 (55)75% (46)9% (44)0.86 (117)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
HOW Offense10%0%000000000%0%0%0
RUTG Defense1249% (74)49% (132) - - - - - - 5 (100).44 (134)1.6 (66)30% (96)34% (118).36 (100)4% (133)2.1 (89)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
HOW Defense10%0% - - - - - - 000%0%0%0
RUTG Offense1250% (62)47% (18)19.531.5266.18.513.722 (42)7 (60).34 (39)1.5 (89)29% (36)36% (20).33 (57)7% (110)1.8 (129)

Howard's Power Ratings
Howard's Power Rating: NR
Howard's Offense Rating: NR
Howard's Defense Rating: NR
2026 Talent Rating: NR
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Howard's 2026 Expected Record: -
Howard's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: NR
Howard's Offense SP+ Rating: NR
Howard's Defense SP+ Rating: NR

Average Talent
Average MEAC Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
Howard:    Rutgers: 4.195

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Howard:    Rutgers: 1.0




Rutgers's Power Ratings
Rutgers's Power Rating: 4.195  #69
Rutgers's Offense Rating: 16.01  #42
Rutgers's Defense Rating: 18.62  #87
2026 Talent Rating: 816.00  #57
Blue Chip Ratio: 7  #47
Rutgers's 2026 Expected Record: 5.5 - 6.5
Rutgers's 2026 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 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


Howard Scoring
Offense: 7 PPG
Offense on Road: 7
Defense: 55 PPG
Defense on Road: 55

Howard's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Rutgers 34
Howard 30

Projected Total Points: 63
Rutgers Scoring
Offense: 28.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 35.4
Defense: 31.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 30.3

Rutgers's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202408/29Rutgers44Howard7Rutgers -38.5Howard51.5Under
201609/10Rutgers52Howard14Rutgers -42Howard0
201409/06Rutgers38Howard25Rutgers -36.5Howard0
201209/08Rutgers26Howard0
200909/12Rutgers45Howard7
200609/23Rutgers56Howard7
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Rutgers600 Overs
Howard031 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams6 - 00 - 30 - 30 - 0
Road Teams0 - 63 - 00 - 03 - 0

(#) HOW at (#69) RUTG
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatHOWRUTG
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNR #69
SP+SP+NR #72
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTalNR #57
Blue ChipsBC%NR #47
Rutgers Notes
(3/3) Vibes: Meh, no NIL, 3rd lowest P4 portal class
(2/8) New DC Travis Johansen was S Dakota's HC
(2/5) QB Lonergan (BC) serviceable, can't run. Depth?
(2/5) RB Raymond one of CFBs best. Good depth here
(2/5) WR Duff a great target, but there's no proven depth
(2/5) OL 1 starter back, 2 more G5/FCS. Options here but ?
(2/5) DL 4 portals, biggest area needed. Looks OK
(2/5) LB has 2 w starting exp but avg. Need more
(2/5) DBs big ? CBs w most exp are portals. S looks bad
(2/5) Two good weapons and lots of ? in lots of areas
Rutgers Injury Report
Howard on Offense
CategoryCat
HOW OffRUTG Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSucNR #128
ExplosiveExpNR #114
PPAPPANR #134
PowerPwrNR #87
SP+SP+NR #95
Pts POPPONR #131
HavocHavNR #125
Howard Run Game
CategoryCat
HOW OffRUTG Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSucNR #113
Run ExplRExpNR #131
PPAExpNR #134
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLYNR #110
Stuff RateStuffNR #62
TackleTak - NR
Howard Pass Game
CategoryCat
HOW OffRUTG Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSucNR #132
Pass ExplPExlNR #66
PPAExpNR #134
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7NR #106
DB HavocDBNR #133
Rutgers on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatRUTG OffHOW Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #20NR
ExplosiveExp #89NR
PPAPPA #37NR
PowerPwr #42NR
SP+SP+ #39NR
Pts POPPO #102NR
HavocHav #76NR
Rutgers Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
RUTG OffHOW Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #41NR
Run ExplRExp #117NR
PPAExp #80NR
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #55NR
Stuff RateStuff #21NR
TackleTak - NR
Rutgers Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatRUTG OffHOW Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #18NR
Pass ExplPExl #89NR
PPAExp #39NR
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #44NR
DB HavocDB #110NR
Program Comparison
RUTG 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'26 Profile: Remains Top G5

HOW 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in SHI Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Rutgers beat Howard in 2024 (44-7)

  
HOW's OC ()
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Semaj Pierre (Tr)63405.717
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Semaj Pierre (Tr)61202.06

View Howard's Full Roster

HOW's DC ()
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD

RUTG's OC Kirk Ciarrocca (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dylan Lonergan (Tr)19028467%20251257.1
AJ Surace4944%58206.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Antwan Raymond2441241135.151
Clay Thevenin (Tr)13163484.850
Ja'shon Benjamin6832824.819
Edd Guerrier72503.69
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
KJ Duff601084718.172
Clay Thevenin (Tr)3326908.230
Kenny Fletcher2623609.139
Antwan Raymond18225212.548

View Rutgers's Full Roster

RUTG's DC Travis Johansen (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Anthony Morris799333
Kaj Sanders640001
Abram Wright531012
Rondarius Porter395244
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
J'Dan Burnett (Tr)2810711
Malachi Davis (Tr)3510681
Ty Anthony Morris799333
Rondarius Porter395244
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Rondarius Porter395244
Ty Anthony Morris799333
Abram Wright531012