Rutgers heads into Week 7 as a 4.5-point underdog at Maryland, according to FanDuel, in a matchup that already looks like one of the more important Big Ten swing games on either team’s schedule. Both programs are still searching for their first Power Four win, and this one lands at a time when neither side can afford to keep bleeding chances.
Maryland has already taken multi-score losses to Virginia Tech, UCLA, Nebraska and Ohio State. Rutgers has dropped games to Boston College, USC and Indiana. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Terrapins a 60.7% chance to win, and the setting only adds to the challenge for the Scarlet Knights, since this will be Maryland’s Homecoming game.
The coaching pressure is part of the backdrop, too. Both teams have coaches on the hot seat, and both are looking at this as their best shot to get at least one Big Ten win this season.
What makes the game even more interesting is the clash of styles. Maryland is built around a pass-heavy offense, while Rutgers under Greg Schiano has stuck to its usual run-first identity.
Maryland quarterback Malike Washington has thrown for 1,352 yards on 223 attempts with seven touchdowns and six interceptions. Rutgers quarterback Dylan Lonergan has put up 775 passing yards on 92 attempts with seven touchdowns and five interceptions, though he has also missed significant time because of injury, which explains the lower volume.
Rutgers will likely lean on Antwan Raymond, who has 469 rushing yards on 89 carries and four touchdowns. Maryland’s Dejuan Williams has 242 rushing yards on 29 carries and three scores. In the passing game, KJ Duff has been Rutgers’ top threat with 628 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, while Maryland’s Chris Durr Jr. leads the Terrapins with 476 yards on 46 catches and four touchdowns.
Defense has been the weak spot for both sides in Power Four play. Maryland has given up 35 points to Virginia Tech, 54 to UCLA, 48 to Nebraska and 45 to Ohio State.
Rutgers has allowed 28 to Boston College, 42 to USC and 47 to Indiana. With both units struggling to get stops, FanDuel has set the over/under at 54.5 points.
Maryland owns the edge in the all-time series, 12-9, though Rutgers has won the last two meetings in 2024 and 2025.
In Other News...
Rutgers Debut Brought Back One Concern Fans Hoped Was Gone
Rutgers first look of the preseason came with a familiar feel in more ways than one. In an exhibition against Villanova, associate head coach Brandin Knight handled the sideline duties for Steve Pikiell, and the Scarlet Knights dropped a 77-75 decision in a game that echoed too many of last seasons offensive stretches. Even in an early setting, the possession flow and scoring patterns looked like concerns the program had hoped to move past.
There were also absences to note, with Tariq Francis, Will Sydnor, Dorin Buca and Martin Tonejc not taking part. The bright spot was Virginia Tech transfer Christian Gurdak, who made his Rutgers debut at center and gave the staff something to build on in the frontcourt. For a team still sorting out its identity before the games start to count, that kind of first impression matters, even if the bigger questions from the exhibition remain unresolved. [Read more 🡒]
Rutgers Swimming Is Showing Early Depth Fans Can Feel Good About
Rutgers swimming and diving continued to make a strong early impression at the Rutgers Invitational, closing out the second day with multiple first-place finishes and a steady stream of top-three efforts across both the pool and the boards. The Scarlet Knights looked balanced throughout the meet, with contributions from several areas and enough depth to suggest the roster is settling in well this fall.
The results also hinted at how much room this group may have to keep climbing, especially with a tri-meet against Liberty and James Madison coming next. Rutgers left the invitational with momentum from strong swimming and diving performances, and the kind of early-season showing that can give a team confidence before the schedule gets busier. [Read more 🡒]
Rutgers Bye Week Made The Rest Of This Schedule Feel Different
Rutgers spent its bye week watching the shape of the rest of its schedule change around it. While the Scarlet Knights were idle, several of the opponents still ahead of them were forced to keep taking hits, from Michigan States narrow overtime loss to Illinois to Marylands defeat at Ohio State, a result that at least hinted at some progress for the Terrapins despite the final margin.
The bigger picture now looks even more varied for Rutgers, with Nebraska still carrying the profile of a dangerous team even after a late loss to Indiana, Penn State sliding through three straight Big Ten losses, and UCLA staying unbeaten under new coach Bob Chesney. UMass has also been competitive lately, even in a recent close loss to Miami (Ohio), so the bye week did not just give Rutgers a breather, it also gave the rest of the slate a different look. [Read more 🡒]