No. 24 Northwestern hosts Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 24, with the Wildcats looking to stay unbeaten at Ryan Field in Big Ten play while Rutgers tries to build on last week’s road win over Maryland. This Rutgers vs Northwestern Week 8 preview breaks down the form, the projected starters and the matchup likely to decide the outcome in Evanston.
Northwestern enters at 5-1 and ranked 24th nationally, having won four of its last five games, including a 24-21 decision at Michigan State on Oct. 17. Rutgers is 2-4 overall but comes in off a 37-30 victory at Maryland, its second win in the last three outings. The Scarlet Knights have alternated losses and wins for most of October, and a result at Ryan Field would give them consecutive victories for the first time this season.
Rutgers Vs Northwestern Game Information
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- Venue: Ryan Field, Evanston, Illinois
- TV/Streaming: Peacock
- Records: Rutgers 2-4, Northwestern 5-1 (No. 24)
By The Numbers
- Points per game: Rutgers 31.2, Northwestern 33.5
- Passing yards per game: Rutgers 265.8, Northwestern 233.0
- Rushing yards per game: Rutgers 137.5, Northwestern 191.5
- Total yards per game: Rutgers 403.3, Northwestern 424.5
- Third-down conversion rate: Rutgers 41.89%, Northwestern 42.25%
- Fourth-down conversion rate: Rutgers 63.16%, Northwestern 66.67%
- Turnover margin: Rutgers plus-2, Northwestern plus-2
- Sacks allowed per game: Rutgers 2.3, Northwestern 2.3
Rutgers Outlook
Rutgers has leaned on quarterback Dylan Lonergan, who has thrown for 1,066 yards and 10 touchdowns but also six interceptions on the season. His 265.8 passing yards per game rank ahead of Northwestern’s starter, and the Scarlet Knights’ 25 total touchdowns through six games nearly match the Wildcats’ 24. The issue has been ball security: Rutgers has given the ball away 11 times this season, an average of 1.8 giveaways per game.
Running back Antwan Raymond has carried the load on the ground with 498 yards and five touchdowns on 105 attempts, though the team’s 3.8 yards per rush attempt trails Northwestern’s 4.8 mark. Receiver KJ Duff has been the top target, catching 42 passes for 741 yards and nine scores. Rutgers is expected to start Lonergan under center after he directed last week’s win at Maryland.
Northwestern Outlook
Northwestern’s offense is more balanced, averaging 424.5 total yards per game against Rutgers’ 403.3. Quarterback Aidan Chiles has completed 68.5% of his throws for 1,398 yards and nine touchdowns without an interception, a notable efficiency mark compared to Lonergan’s six picks. Running back Caleb Komolafe has rushed for 401 yards and four touchdowns on 75 carries, part of a Wildcats rushing attack averaging 191.5 yards per game.
Receiver Griffin Wilde leads the Wildcats with 30 catches for 482 yards and three touchdowns. Northwestern’s defense has forced four takeaways against two giveaways, and the Wildcats have won four of their last five games, the lone blemish a 29-23 loss at Indiana on Sept. 26. Chiles is expected to start after leading Northwestern through its current run.
Key Matchup
The clearest edge for Northwestern sits in the ground game. The Wildcats average 191.5 rushing yards per game at 4.8 yards per carry, well ahead of Rutgers’ 137.5 yards and 3.8 average. Rutgers’ defense has racked up 20 tackles for loss this season, and controlling Komolafe behind that front will determine whether Northwestern can lean on the run the way it did in wins over Colorado and Ball State.
On the other side, Rutgers’ passing attack through Lonergan and Duff has to find a way to protect the ball against a Northwestern defense that has committed just two giveaways all season. Rutgers has thrown 10 interceptions already, and limiting those mistakes will be essential if the Scarlet Knights want to keep pace with a Wildcats offense averaging 33.5 points per game.
Players To Watch
Dylan Lonergan, QB, Rutgers
Lonergan has thrown for 1,066 yards and 10 touchdowns this season but has also been picked off six times. His decision-making against a Northwestern defense that has forced four takeaways will shape Rutgers’ chances of leaving Evanston with a win.
Aidan Chiles, QB, Northwestern
Chiles has yet to throw an interception in 139 attempts this season while piling up 1,398 yards and nine touchdowns. His efficiency has powered Northwestern’s 33.5 points-per-game average.
Antwan Raymond, RB, Rutgers
Raymond’s 498 rushing yards and five touchdowns give Rutgers a ground option, though his 4.7 yards-per-carry pace will be tested by a Northwestern front that has notched nine sacks this season.
What To Watch
Northwestern can move to 6-1 and continue building its case in the Big Ten with a win, while Rutgers is chasing its first multi-game winning streak of the season after its victory over Maryland. No injuries were listed on the official report for either team heading into the weekend. Fans can follow more on the conference with the Indiana vs. Rutgers preview from earlier this month, and Maryland’s coaching situation is detailed in the report on the Terrapins firing defensive coordinator Ted Monachino.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
