How and what to watch for Rutgers vs. Purdue

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Purdue Boilermakers are coming off brutal losses heading into Saturday afternoon’s Big Ten matchup.

It took three overtimes for Michigan to take down Rutgers last week in a game the Scarlet Knights led 17-0. Rutgers is now 1-4 but is remaining competitive in games this season, which is about all you can ask for in Greg Schiano’s return to the program. Offensively, it’s still a struggle for the Scarlet Knights, who rank 111th in yards per play. On the defensive side of the ball, it’s a little bit better at No. 80.

Purdue lost to Minnesota last week on a very questionable offensive pass interference call on a what likely would’ve been a game-winning touchdown to tight end Payne Durham. Purdue fell to 2-2 this season. The Boilermakers rank just about average in total yards per play offensively and defensively, but Purdue’s passing game perform well with the return of superstar Rondale Moore, and David Bell has gone over 100 receiving yards in three of Purdue’s four games this season.

Rutgers won the only previous matchup between these two programs 14-12 at home in 2017.

Game Time/TV Channel/Streaming

You can watch Rutgers vs. Purdue on Saturday, November 28th at 4:00 p.m. ET on FS1, or you can stream it via the Fox Sports Go app with a cable or streaming service login.

Point Spread, Totals, Odds, Trends*

Point spread: Rutgers vs. Purdue (-11)
Point Total: 62.5
Money line:

* Not available from DraftKings Sportsbook due to New Jersey regulations

• Rutgers is 1-8 straight up in its last nine games and is 1-13 in its last 14 road games.
• Purdue is 2-4 straight up in its last six games and 2-5 in its last seven home games.
• Rutgers is 4-2 against the spread in its last six games, and Purdue covered in eight of its last 12 games.

The Best Bet

Both teams should be motivated to get back on the field after difficult losses, but we’re going to side with Purdue as home favorites. The Boilermakers have as good of a wide receiver duo you’ll find with Moore and Bell, and I don’t have much faith the Rutgers secondary will be able to have much success stopping them. Purdue needs to go to the air as often as possible and play to its strength, and that will be enough to beat Purdue by two touchdowns.

Pick: Purdue -11

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