Rutgers faces a critical juncture early in its season when it travels to face Boston College on Friday night, seeking to recover from an unexpected and embarrassing Week 1 defeat.
The Scarlet Knights, heavily favored against UMass at home last Thursday, fell 37-21 in a game that was not close, snapping the nation's longest active losing streak and putting coach Greg Schiano's job under scrutiny.
Boston College also enters the contest with a loss, having fallen 34-15 to Cincinnati. The Eagles are currently 3.5-point favorites over Rutgers.
Despite the Week 1 performance, some analysis suggests the market may be overreacting. According to power rankings like Bill Connelly's SP+, Rutgers would have been projected as a 3.5-point favorite against Boston College on a neutral field before the season began. This suggests that while the UMass loss was significant, the Scarlet Knights may still hold an edge.
Rutgers' performance against UMass has raised questions, particularly given the opponent. However, the team's ability to rebound from such a significant upset will be a key storyline heading into their matchup with the Eagles. A strong effort is anticipated from Rutgers as they aim to get their season back on track.
Analysts suggest patience for bettors interested in Rutgers, recommending waiting for optimal odds. The team's moneyline is currently listed at +140.