The Buffalo Bulls (-6) and Rutgers Scarlet Knights will square off on the turf at HighPoint.com Stadium. The opening kickoff for this game is set for 12:00 p.m. ET and Big Ten Network is scheduled to broadcast the action.
Betting Preview: Buffalo Bulls vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers is entering this game as the underdog and is currently getting 6 points. The Bulls are also receiving -240 moneyline odds while the Scarlet Knights are +190. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 55.5 points, and on the surface it looks like there should be multiple good live betting opportunities for this game.
The opening line was initially 3 while the over/under was placed originally at 57, so the early action has been swaying to both the Bulls and the under.
The Bulls have gained 2.6 units so far and are 2-1 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an Over-Under record of 2-0.
The Scarlet Knights have lost 0.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 1-2 ATS and own an O/U record of 1-2.
The Bulls have gone 3-0 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Scarlet Knights are 1-2 SU.
The Bulls are looking to remain undefeated following a 35-28 win over Eastern Michigan last week. Tyree Jackson completed 21-of-26 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns. Emmanuel Reed (68 rushing yards on 15 attempts) and Kevin Marks (60 yards on 14 carries, two TDs) led the running attack while K.J. Osborn (seven receptions, 188 yards, three TDs) and Anthony Johnson (six catches, 74 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
A week ago, Kansas knocked off this Rutgers crew by a score of 55-14. The Scarlet Knights defense let the Jayhawks eat up the clock by running for 400 yards on 48 rush attempts, including four rush TDs. Pooka Williams Jr. was on a different level for Kansas, putting up 158 rushing yards and a score on 18 attempts. As a group, the Scarlet Knights collectively completed 14-of-31 passes for 124 yards and three interceptions. Artur Sitkowski went seven-for-19 for 47 yards and three interceptions while Giovanni Rescigno was seven-of-12 for 77 yards. Raheem Blackshear (102 yards on 19 rush attempts) and Jonathan Hilliman (44 yards on 11 carries, one TD) mounted the running game as Eddie Lewis (four receptions, 43 yards) and Jerome Washington (three catches, 41 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Each team has a similar (54-46) run-pass ratio on the season. The Bulls have rushed for 156.7 yards per game and have five touchdowns on the ground this year. The Scarlet Knights are logging 145.7 rush yards per game and have four total rushing TDs.
The Bulls offensive scheme has averaged 266.7 yards through the air overall and has 12 passing scores so far. The Scarlet Knights have produced 131.3 pass yards per outing and have only one pass TDs.
Buffalo has allowed opponents to run for an average of 152.0 yards and throw for 221.3 yards per game. The Rutgers defense has allowed 199.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 231.3 yards per game on the ground. The Bulls are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.48 to opposing QBs, while the Scarlet Knights have allowed a 7.20 ANY/A.
Offensively, Jackson is up to 514 passing yards this year. He’s completed 38-of-53 attempts with nine scores through the air and has yet to throw an interception. Jackson has a sparkling 13.09 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 9.51 over the last two games.
Giovanni Rescigno has managed to complete 7-of-12 passes for 77 yards, zero TDs and zero INTs for Rutgers. His ANY/A stands at 6.42 for the season and 1.96 over his past two games.
Buffalo Bulls vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Free Prediction
SU Winner: Buffalo, ATS Winner: Buffalo, O/U: Under
