Rutgers is a 29.5-point favorite against UMass in their Week 1 college football contest scheduled for Thursday night. The game marks the earliest start to the college football season, offering a midweek matchup to bettors.
UMass has struggled significantly in the 2020s, holding a 9-64 record this decade and finishing last season at 0-12. The Minutemen are slated to have the easiest schedule in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) this year, with Rutgers being their only opponent from a Power 4 conference. Despite this, Rutgers is projected to be one of the weaker teams within that cohort for the 2026 season.
Greg Schiano, the winningest coach in Rutgers' history, is in his second stint with the team. The Scarlet Knights rank 92nd in returning production, and their defense is expected to be largely new. Last season, the Rutgers defense was uncharacteristically porous, a departure from Schiano's typical defensive performance. However, the offense showed promise with wide receiver KJ Duff, a projected early-round NFL Draft pick, and running back Antwan Raymond, who rushed for 1,241 yards and 13 touchdowns last fall. Duff and Raymond are anticipated to perform well against UMass, and the UMass offense is also expected to contribute to the point total against a Rutgers defense with numerous issues to address. The betting total for the game is set at over 51.5 points.