College Football Week 7: Wisconsin vs. Rutgers Expert Picks, Prediction, & Best Bets

Wisconsin vs. Rutgers highlights a Week 7 Big Ten matchup between two Bowl Game hopefuls jockeying for position in the Big Ten. 

Can Wisconsin get its season back on track? With tough matchups ahead—Penn State, Iowa, Oregon, and Nebraska—the Badgers face a daunting path. Yes, they rolled past Purdue 52-6, but that victory came against a team struggling at the bottom of the Power Four.

Meanwhile, Rutgers is beginning to look a lot like the Wisconsin of old. They rely on tough running, stout defense, and attention to detail—the same formula that carried them to a 4-1 start. It’s a team that grinds out wins, one drive at a time, doing the little things that often go unnoticed but make all the difference.

For Rutgers, this game could be a turning point. With a winnable matchup against UCLA up next and no Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, or Michigan on the schedule, the Scarlet Knights have a chance to make a serious run. A win here could propel them into the heart of the Big Ten race, with momentum on their side and confidence growing.

Wisconsin, on the other hand, is fighting to find its identity in a season that has yet to unfold as hoped. The Badgers must claw their way forward, knowing each game could define their season. In a battle of wills, Rutgers has a shot to prove it’s ready for the moment, poised to embrace a role that once belonged to the Badgers—a gritty, resilient force in the Big Ten.

Check out our Wisconsin vs Rutgers expert picks!

Wisconsin vs. Rutgers Betting Preview, Expert Picks, Prediction, & Best Bets

All Wisconsin vs. Rutgers odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Wednesday, Oct. 9.

• Spread
  Rutgers -2.5
• Moneyline
  Wisconsin +115, Rutgers -135
• Over/Under
  41
• Game Time
  Noon ET
• Location
  SHI Stadium | Piscataway, NJ
• Predicted Weather at Kick
  70 degrees, mostly sunny
• How To Watch
  Big Ten Network

Check out our other college football expert picks! 

Wisconsin vs. Rutgers Prediction

After a promising 4-0 start, Rutgers tasted defeat for the first time, falling at Nebraska in a grinding, low-scoring contest. The Scarlet Knights struggled to find momentum until late in the fourth quarter when Athan Kaliakmanis connected for a touchdown to pull within a score. While the outcome stung, Rutgers managed to cover the +7.5 spread, offering a silver lining for the faithful.

Now, attention turns to Wisconsin (3-2, 1-1), fresh off a commanding 52-6 win over Purdue. The Badgers aim to build on that momentum as they set their sights on a Big Ten title push. For Rutgers, the formula is clear: lean on senior running back Kyle Monangai. With 667 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the season, Monangai has been the heart of the offense, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. But against Nebraska, the ground game stumbled, and the offensive line will need to find its edge to stay in the fight.

Count the missed tackles Kyle Monangai forced on this run: pic.twitter.com/ZPGmVATwD1

— Brian Fonseca (@briannnnf) September 28, 2024

Rutgers isn’t built for shootouts; they’re designed to wear opponents down, one drive at a time. If there’s any unrest in Madison, this could be the week the Scarlet Knights expose it. Monangai, who averages 23 carries per game, may be called upon even more—perhaps 30 touches—as Rutgers looks to control the clock and set the tone.

Wisconsin brings a five-game winning streak over Rutgers into this matchup, including a 53-2 blowout in 2021. But this game will be fought in the trenches, where grit and determination may be enough for Rutgers to push the Badgers to the limit. It won’t be flashy, but it could be exactly the kind of battle Rutgers is built to win.

Prediction: Rutgers 24, Wisconsin 20

Best Bet: Rutgers -2.5