Rutgers Listed as 4.5 Point Underdogs Against Maryland

The betting lines for Week 7 of the college football season have opened, with Rutgers being listed as 4.5-point underdogs on the road against Maryland, according to FanDuel. Both teams currently sit winless in Power Four play, with Maryland suffering multi-score losses to Virginia Tech, UCLA, Nebraska and Ohio State, and Rutgers losing to Boston College, USC, and Indiana.

Both teams have coaches on the hot seat. Both teams are eyeing this game as their best opportunity to get at least one win in the Big Ten this season. ESPN's matchup predictor gives Maryland a 60.7% chance to win the game. The game will also be Maryland's Homecoming game, meaning that the atmosphere should be a little more hostile than usual for Rutgers.

This game will be a clash of offensive styles, as the Terrapins lean on a very pass-heavy attack while Rutgers uses the run-heavy format that it always has under head coach Greg Schiano. So far this season, Maryland quarterback Malike Washington has thrown for 1,352 yards on 223 attempts for seven touchdowns and six interceptions. Rutgers quarterback Dylan Lonergan has thrown for 775 yards on 92 attempts for seven touchdowns and five interceptions. Lonergan has also missed significant time this season due to injury, which is why his overall passing attempts numbers are low.

On the ground, Rutgers running back Antwan Raymond has picked up 469 rushing yards on 89 carries while also scoring four touchdowns. Maryland running back Dejuan Williams has earned 242 rushing yards on 29 carries while adding three touchdowns. KJ Duff continues to shine in the Rutgers wide receiver room, as he already has 628 receiving yards for seven touchdowns, while Maryland's leading receiver Chris Durr Jr. has 476 yards on 46 catches for four touchdowns.

Neither team's defense has looked good in Power Four play this season, as the Terrapins have surrendered 35 points to Virginia Tech, 54 points to UCLA, 48 points to Nebraska and 45 points to Ohio State, while Rutgers defense has surrendered 28 points to Boston College, 42 points to USC and 47 points to Indiana. Due to the poor performances of both defenses, FanDuel has set the over/under at 54.5 points.

The Terrapins hold the all-time advantage in the series over the Knights, 12-9, with Rutgers winning the last two matchups in 2024 and 2025.

Kickoff time for Rutgers at Maryland is set for 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 17, inside SECU Stadium in College Park. Live coverage for the game will be available on BTN.