Rutgers is still chasing its first win of 2026, and the schedule finally offers a breather. Howard visits SHI Stadium on Friday night as an FCS program coming off a bye week. The Scarlet Knights are laying a massive 43 points, and the total has climbed from 55 to 56.5. That is a huge spread for a team that lost outright as a roughly four-touchdown favorite in Week 1. Below is our Howard vs. Rutgers prediction, with picks on both the spread and the total.
Last Updated: Friday, September 25, 2026
Howard vs. Rutgers — Time & How to Watch
| Where | SHI Stadium, Piscataway NJ |
| When | Friday, September 25 – 7:00 PM ET |
| TV | Big Ten Network |
Howard vs. Rutgers Betting Preview
Rutgers enters at 0-3 overall and 0-1 in Big Ten play. The slide began with a 37-21 home loss to UMass, the Minutemen’s first win since October 2024. Boston College followed with a 28-21 win. Last week, USC left Piscataway with a 42-35 win, as previewed in our USC vs. Rutgers prediction.
The offense has not been the main problem. Rutgers piled up 460 yards against USC. Quarterback Dylan Lonergan threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns in that game. Wide receiver KJ Duff ranks third nationally at 139.7 receiving yards per game and second with six touchdown catches. Running back Antwan Raymond added 122 rushing yards against the Trojans.
Ball security is the real issue. Rutgers has turned it over 10 times in three games. It committed only 11 turnovers across 12 games last season. Lonergan threw two interceptions against USC, and one was returned 99 yards for a touchdown. He missed the Boston College game with an injury, when AJ Surace started, and he remains the starter. Meanwhile, the defense is allowing 35.7 points per game. Head coach Greg Schiano also sits at 99 wins at Rutgers, one shy of 100.
Howard is 1-2 under first-year head coach Ted White. The Bison opened with a 31-24 win over Alabama A&M in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. They then lost 28-21 to Richmond at home. The last outing was rough, as Indiana won 55-0 and held Howard to 57 total yards. Quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins has 467 passing yards and four touchdowns this season. However, he completed just 8 of 15 passes for 43 yards in Bloomington. Rutgers leads the all-time series 6-0, including a 44-7 win in 2024.
Howard vs. Rutgers Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howard | +43 (-110) | – | U 56.5 (-110) |
| Rutgers | -43 (-110) | – | O 56.5 (-110) |
Odds accurate as of Friday, September 25, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest NCAAF Odds – Futures – Props
Howard vs. Rutgers Prediction — Is Spread too Big for Knights?
Rutgers should win this game, and probably comfortably. The talent gap between a Big Ten roster and an MEAC program is real. If Rutgers protects the football, the Bison may struggle to move the chains at all. Schiano also said this week that his team is desperate for a win. A motivated favorite can build margin quickly.
Still, covering requires a margin Rutgers has not reached against Howard recently. The Scarlet Knights won by 37 points in 2024 and by 38 points in 2016. Neither would clear this spread. The Scarlet Knights also lost outright as a roughly four-touchdown favorite to UMass. Their defense has allowed at least 28 points in every game. In addition, 10 giveaways in three games suggest Howard could get a short field or two.
Game script matters here as well. A big lead usually brings more handoffs, more reserves, and less urgency in the second half. Howard does not need to win. It needs one or two scoring drives, or a red-zone stop, to stay inside the number. The risk is a clean, turnover-free Rutgers night that turns into an Indiana-style rout.
The Pick: Howard +43 (-110)
Howard vs. Rutgers Prediction — Will Offenses Struggle?
The total opened at 55 and has ticked up since. That movement makes sense on the Rutgers side. The Scarlet Knights’ games against UMass and USC both cleared this number. A defense allowing 35.7 points per game also gives Howard a path to points. Scroggins threw for 315 yards in the opener, so the Bison offense has shown life against FCS opposition.
However, Howard’s scoring is thin. The Bison scored 21 points against Richmond and none against Indiana. None of Howard’s three games has reached this number. Rutgers is averaging 25.7 points per game, and its season high is 35. The over likely needs a season-best night from the Scarlet Knights. The 2024 meeting finished 44-7, under this line. A lopsided second half with reserves on both sidelines also tends to drain the scoreboard. Rutgers’ turnovers are the main risk, since short fields could hand Howard cheap points.
The Pick: Under 56.5 (-110)
Final Thoughts and Bonus Angle
No moneyline is posted for this game, so there is no moneyline value angle to evaluate. Rutgers is the far better team and should get its first win of the season. The question is margin, not outcome. For context on the Boston College loss, see our Rutgers vs. Boston College pick.
The two picks fit together. A Rutgers win in the 40-10 range would cash both. The downside is a sharp, mistake-free Rutgers offense that pushes past 50 points on its own. That outcome is possible against a Howard team that managed 57 yards in its last game. Size positions with that risk in mind.
Howard vs. Rutgers picks summary:
- Spread: Howard +43 (-110)
- Total: Under 56.5 (-110)
NCAAF Howard vs. Rutgers FAQ: Friday September 25, 2026
What time does the Howard vs. Rutgers game start?
Howard vs. Rutgers kicks off at 7:00 PM ET on Friday, September 25, 2026. The game is played at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. It is a non-conference Week 4 matchup between a Big Ten program and an FCS opponent from the MEAC. Rutgers won the most recent meeting 44-7 in 2024.
What channel is the Howard vs. Rutgers game on?
Howard vs. Rutgers airs on Big Ten Network at 7:00 PM ET on Friday, September 25. Chris Vosters has the play-by-play call, with Anthony Herron as the analyst. The broadcast can also be streamed live on the FOX One app.
Who won the last meeting between Howard and Rutgers?
Rutgers won the last meeting 44-7 at SHI Stadium in the 2024 season opener. The Scarlet Knights lead the all-time series 6-0. Before that, Rutgers beat Howard 52-14 in 2016. Howard is still seeking its first win in the series.
What conference are Howard and Rutgers in?
Rutgers plays in the Big Ten Conference, and Howard plays in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Howard competes at the FCS level, while Rutgers is an FBS program. Friday’s game does not count in either conference’s standings. Rutgers is 0-1 in Big Ten play, and Howard has yet to play a MEAC game.
What are Howard’s and Rutgers’ records this season?
Rutgers is 0-3 this season, and Howard is 1-2. Rutgers lost to UMass 37-21, Boston College 28-21, and USC 42-35. Howard beat Alabama A&M 31-24, then lost 28-21 to Richmond and 55-0 at Indiana. The Bison are coming off a bye week.