The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (0-1) and the Boston College Eagles (0-1) meet Friday at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze college football odds around the Rutgers vs. Boston College odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.
Rutgers stumbled badly out of the gate, losing 37-21 at home as a massive 29.5-point favorite against the Massachusetts Minutemen of the Mid-American Conference, while the Over (54.5) hit. Turnovers were the big problem, with the Scarlet Knights coughing it up 4 times. QB Dylan Lonergan (16 of 29, 242 yards, 2 TDs) threw 3 interceptions. WR KJ Duff had 9 catches for 196 yards and 3 TDs (1 from backup QB AJ Surass, who was 6 of 9 for 77 yards).
Boston College also started the season on the wrong foot, losing 34-15 against the Cincinnati Bearcats of the Big 12. BC failed to cover as a 7.5-point road underdog as the Under (51.5) cashed. The Eagles had no answer for the Bearcats’ ground game, allowing 254 rushing yards and 3 TDs. Boston College’s offense didn’t help much, either, finishing with 2 TDs and 2 turnovers. QB Mason McKenzie hit 18 of 35 passes for 223 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT.
Boston College leads the all-time series against Rutgers 20-7-1. The teams first met in 1919, with Rutgers winning 13-7. Boston College won 11 straight meetings from 1995 through 2019, while Rutgers won the most recent matchup 22-21 in 2022.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
Rutgers at Boston College odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 9:35 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rutgers +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Boston College -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rutgers +3.5 (-112) | Boston College -3.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 53.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Rutgers at Boston College picks and predictions
Prediction
Boston College 21, Rutgers 20
PASS.
I have no interest in betting the moneyline in this game.
PASS.
Lonergan will not start for Rutgers because of an injury suffered against UMass, according to the Asbury Park Press. Rutgers lost that game, turning the ball over 4 times and averaging just 1.2 yards per carry. Boston College also struggled allowing 254 rushing yards. Neither team showed much in its opener, and Rutgers now has a quarterback change. I don’t trust either side enough to bet the spread.
BET UNDER 53.5 (-112).
Neither offense looked good in Week 1. Rutgers scored 21 points against UMass, and will start Surace at QB. The junior has only appeared in 4 games and has thrown only 18 passes in his career, but has completed 10 of them with 3 TDs. Boston College scored only 15 points, while McKenzie struggled under center. With both offenses struggling and Rutgers making a quarterback change, this matchup sets up well for a lower-scoring game.
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