Rutgers at Northwestern - 2026 Matchup Preview
Rutgers logo Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Northwestern WildcatsNorthwestern logo
Saturday, October 24th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
L&S Martin Stadium (Temp) - Evanston, IL

 
Scarlet Knights (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Greg Schiano (99 - 108)
Avg Score : 29 - 32 (19 - 34 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
RUTG 2nd straight Road Game
NW is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: Northwestern -7  (SP+ NW -5)
Projected Score: RUTG: 21 - NW: 28 (49)
NW Win prob: 70% | Cover: 49%
RUTG Travel: 694 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach David Braun (19 - 19)
Avg Score : 23 - 20 (27 - 12 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Rutgers's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3 Rutgers vs Massachusetts-30.5
Fri 9/11 Rutgers at Boston College-1
Sat 9/19 Rutgers vs USC+19.5
Sat 9/26 Rutgers vs Howard-22.5
Sat 10/3 Rutgers vs Indiana+27.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/17 Rutgers at Maryland+5.5
Sat 10/24 Rutgers at Northwestern+7
Sat 10/31 Rutgers vs Michigan+14
Sat 11/7 Rutgers at Wisconsin+3
Sat 11/14 Rutgers vs Nebraska+4.5
Sat 11/21 Rutgers at Penn State+18.5
Sat 11/28 Rutgers vs Michigan State-3.5

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 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Northwestern vs South Dakota State-27
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/19 Northwestern vs Colorado-14
Sat 9/26 Northwestern at Indiana+28
Sat 10/3 Northwestern vs Penn State+9
Sat 10/10 Northwestern vs Ball State-27.5
Sat 10/17 Northwestern at Michigan State-3
Sat 10/24 Northwestern vs Rutgers-7
Sat 10/31 Northwestern at Oregon+24.5
Sat 11/7 Northwestern vs Iowa+7.5
Sat 11/14 Northwestern at Ohio State+28.5
Sat 11/21 Northwestern at Minnesota+3
Sat 11/28 Northwestern at Illinois+10

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 (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#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
NW#83 (.15)43% (57)23.446% (46)2.97 (64)16142% (66)1863.21 (116)#72 (.17)45% (117)19.847% (119)44% (101)3.37 (41)33.81.61.5
 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
NW0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
RUTG Offense1228.719.246.8%3.380.9234081422663.749%50%46%47%16%.21
NW Defense1319.812.445.3%3.371.5 - - - - - 52%46%47%44%15%.17
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
RUTG Defense1231.83447.4%4.451 - - - - - 50%49%47%49%12%.31
NW Offense1323.426.843.2%3.211.6203471611864.751%47%46%42%17%.15

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
Rutgers1232:3123.343%62%4.132.60.913.90.9328.1
Northwestern1332:1819.743%59%4.233.81.61.541.8028.5
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
RUTG Offense1249% (74)46% (41)38.8141.53.719 (49).09 (80)3.03 (55)75% (46)9% (44)0.86 (117)
NW Defense1352% (91)47% (119) - - - - .18 (108)3.16 (113)71% (63)9% (93)0.99 (85)
 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 Defense1250% (64)47% (113) - - - - .26 (134)3.15 (110)66% (28)9% (106)1.13 (131)
NW Offense1351% (57)46% (46)34.5160.94.716 (99).14 (58)2.97 (64)76% (41)8% (33)0.91 (92)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
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)
NW Defense1346% (38)44% (101) - - - - - - 9 (75).24 (63)1.4 (6)28% (119)34% (120).32 (82)6% (62)1.8 (20)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
RUTG Defense1249% (74)49% (132) - - - - - - 5 (100).44 (134)1.6 (66)30% (96)34% (118).36 (100)4% (133)2.1 (89)
NW Offense1347% (81)42% (66)17.229.1185.96.410.817 (75)13 (108).21 (85)1.5 (97)30% (46)33% (33).31 (66)9% (130)1.8 (128)

Rutgers's Power Ratings
Rutgers's Power Rating: -3.12  #70
Rutgers's Offense Rating: 13.85  #44
Rutgers's Defense Rating: 21.97  #104
2026 Talent Rating: 812.00  #52
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #24
Rutgers's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
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 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Rutgers: -3.12   Northwestern: 6.145

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Rutgers: 1.0   Northwestern: 5.8




Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: 6.145  #59
Northwestern's Offense Rating: 11.07  #66
Northwestern's Defense Rating: 14.58  #52
2026 Talent Rating: 886.00  #28
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
Northwestern's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Northwestern's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.8  #51
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.4  #90
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.0  #30

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


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

Rutgers'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
Northwestern 28
Rutgers 21

Projected Total Points: 49
Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 23.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.8
Defense: 19.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 12.4

Northwestern'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
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

(#70) RUTG at (#59) NW
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatRUTGNW
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #70 #59
SP+SP+ #72 #51
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #52 #28
Blue ChipsBC% #24 #24
Rutgers on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
RUTG OffNW Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #20 #117
ExplosiveExp #89 #12
PPAPPA #37 #72
PowerPwr #44 #52
SP+SP+ #39 #30
Pts POPPO #102 #41
HavocHav #76 #83
Rutgers Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
RUTG OffNW Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #41 #119
Run ExplRExp #117 #85
PPAExp #80 #108
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #55 #113
Stuff RateStuff #21 #118
TackleTak - NR
Rutgers Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
RUTG OffNW Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #18 #101
Pass ExplPExl #89 #6
PPAExp #39 #63
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #44 #93
DB HavocDB #110 #62
Northwestern on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatNW OffRUTG Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #57 #128
ExplosiveExp #108 #114
PPAPPA #83 #134
PowerPwr #66 #104
SP+SP+ #90 #95
Pts POPPO #116 #131
HavocHav #94 #125
Northwestern Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffRUTG Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #46 #113
Run ExplRExp #92 #131
PPAExp #58 #134
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #64 #110
Stuff RateStuff #48 #62
TackleTak - NR
Northwestern Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatNW OffRUTG Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #66 #132
Pass ExplPExl #97 #66
PPAExp #85 #134
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #33 #106
DB HavocDB #130 #133
Program Comparison
NW 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'26 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in L&S Martin Stadium (Temp)
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Rutgers beat Northwestern in 2023 (24-7)

  
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 Robb Smith (in his second 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

NW's OC Chip Kelly (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Aidan Chiles (Tr)12820363%13921036.9
Ryan Boe2729%17012.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Caleb Komolafe190941115.056
Gavin Sawchuk (Tr)10948684.540
Joseph Himon II9948614.937
Aidan Chiles (Tr)8122762.864
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Griffin Wilde71880812.449
Hayden Eligon Ii37521314.138
Ricky Ahumaraeze10200020.035
Drew Wagner2217227.840

View Northwestern's Full Roster

NW's DC Tim McGarigle (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Robert Fitzgerald1066014
Braydon Brus815344
Braden Turner522012
Michael Kilbane428481
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Michael Kilbane428481
Braydon Brus815344
Mason Green11100
Kobie McKinzie (Tr)327140
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Josh Fussell291009
Brenden Deasfernandes (Tr)250008
Robert Fitzgerald1066014