The Indiana Hoosiers (-17) and Rutgers Scarlet Knights are ready to square off on the turf at HighPoint.com Stadium. BTN is scheduled to televise the action and this daytime matchup gets going at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Indiana Hoosiers at Rutgers Scarlet Knights
In this Saturday Big Ten game, Indiana is tabbed as the heavy favorite and is currently giving up 17 points. If they are wanting to take the moneyline, gamblers would currently have to wager $1,400 in order to net $100 back on the Hoosiers (-1400). The Scarlet Knights are getting +780 moneyline odds. If one team can create a bunch of points early, it’ll likely produce a nice in-game betting scenario.
The game’s line opened at 15, but square bettors are hammering the Hoosiers.
The Hoosiers are 1-3 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 2.0 units so far in 2018. The team has posted an O/U record of 2-2.
The Scarlet Knights have lost 1.1 units this season. The team is 1-3 ATS and also has an even O/U record of 2-2.
The Hoosiers are 3-1 straight up (SU), including 0-1 SU against Big 10 opponents. The Scarlet Knights are 1-3 SU overall and are also 0-1 SU in conference play.
The Hoosiers came up short to Michigan State 35-21 in a contest where the passing attack wasn’t where it needed to be as Peyton Ramsey completed 32-of-46 passes for 272 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Hoosiers produced a grand total of 29 rushing yards as a team in the loss.
One week ago, Buffalo knocked off this Rutgers crew by a score of 42-13. The Scarlet Knights defense allowed the Bulls to rush for 182 yards on 36 attempts, including three rush TDs. Jaret Patterson put up a good showing, recording 104 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 14 attempts for Buffalo. As a group, the Scarlet Knights collectively completed 18-of-37 passes for 168 yards. Giovanni Rescigno went 12-for-24 for 129 yards while Artur Sitkowski was six-of-13 for 39 yards. Raheem Blackshear (69 rushing yards on 15 attempts, one TD) and Jonathan Hilliman (36 yards on 10 carries) mounted the running game while Bo Melton (three receptions, 29 yards) and Blackshear (three catches, eight yards) led the receiving corps in the loss.
Each of these squads has a similar run-pass ratio on the season. Indiana’s run the ball on 54.6 percent of its offensive possessions while Rutgers has an overall rush percentage of 53.6. The Hoosiers have produced 183.5 rush yards/game and have five scores on the ground this year. The Scarlet Knights are totaling 138.3 rushing yards per game and have five total rush TDs.
It seems like the Hoosiers should have the advantage when it comes to applying pressure, as their offensive line has yielded just 29 sacks while the D-line registered 35 sacks. The Scarlet Knights offensive line has allowed 18 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing QBs just 16 times.
The Hoosiers offense has averaged 219.0 yards in the air overall and has eight passing scores so far. The Scarlet Knights have recorded 140.5 pass yards per contest and have just one pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Indiana seems to have the upper hand in both phases. The team has allowed 173.3 rush yards and 156.3 pass yards per game. The Rutgers defense has allowed 215.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 219.0 yards per game to opposing runners. The Hoosiers are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.25 to opposing QBs, while the Scarlet Knights have allowed a 7.47 ANY/A.
Offensively, Ramsey has amassed 578 passing yards on the year. He’s completed 68-of-95 attempts with seven scores through the air and four interceptions. He has a 5.06 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 4.83 over the last two outings.
We expect the Indiana offense to mix it up in this one. Whop Philyor (175 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown on the year), Stevie Scott (292 rush yards, one rush TD, one receiving TD) and Peyton Ramsey (76 rush yards, 0 receiving yards) have all played key roles of late.
Giovanni Rescigno has connected on 17-of-36 passes for 156 yards, zero TDs and one INT for Rutgers. His ANY/A stands at a horrendous 2.18 for the season and 5.00 across his past two games.
We’re looking for the Scarlet Knights to control tempo by getting the ball in the hands of their running backs. Along with TE Jerome Washington (106 receiving yards this season), Raheem Blackshear (162 rush yards, two rush TDs, one receiving TD) and Jonathan Hilliman (126 rush yards, two rush TDs) have been significant focal points in the Rutgers offense.
These two squads faced off a year ago with the final outcome being a 41-0 win for Indiana.
Indiana Hoosiers at Rutgers Scarlet Knights NCAA Tip
SU Winner: Hoosiers, ATS Winner: Hoosiers
Team Betting Trends
- Indiana was the underdog by 7 points in its last game and the Over/Under was set at 52. The over cashed and Indiana did not cover in the 35-21 loss to Michigan State.
- Indiana has rushed for 4.34166666666667 yards per attempt over its past three games and 3.7 over its last two.
- Rutgers has averaged 3.3 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.7 over its past two.
- Rutgers has lost four fumbles this season while Indiana has lost one.
- Over its last three matchups, Indiana is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- Rutgers was the underdog by 6 points in its last game and the O/U was set at 53.5. The over cashed and Rutgers failed to cover in that 42-13 defeat to Buffalo.
- In its last three matchups, Rutgers is 0-3 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Hoosiers offense has tallied one pass play of 40 or more yards, while the Scarlet Knights have accounted for zero such plays.
- The Indiana defense has yet to allow a passing play of 40+ yards, while Rutgers has given up five such plays.
- The Indiana offense has created four rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Rutgers has created three such runs.
- The Hoosiers defense has allowed six rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Scarlet Knights have given up 12 such runs.
- The Indiana defensive unit has sacked opposing QBs seven times this season. Rutgers has produced five sacks.
