Rutgers football looks to take advantage of their 2024 schedule to make back-to-back bowl appearances.
After a 31-24 victory over Miami in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl, head coach Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights are looking to repeat back-to-back winning seasons after finishing the 2023 season with a 7-6 record. Heading into the 2024 season, Rutgers football find themselves with a favorable schedule with the chance to capture another winning season. Looking at the Scarlet Knights’ game-by-game prediction, Rutgers has the potential to secure seven victories and another bowl appearance.
Without the former Big Ten East powerhouses on the slate (Penn State, Michigan, and Ohio State) the Scarlet Knights still face Big Ten programs six games in a row that they haven’t beaten since joining the conference in 2014. So winning half of those games plus Howard and Akron, then winning two, maybe three of the other four contests is somewhat logical.
Rutgers Football 2024 Schedule Predictions
Week 1 (Thursday, August 29): Howard at Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights will kick off the 2024 season when they host the Howard Bisons on August 29. These two programs last met on the gridiron in 2o16 when the Scarlet Knights defeated Howard 52-14. The Bisons are 0-3 against Rutgers with the Scarlet Knights outscoring Howard 116 – 39. Rutgers should handle Howard easily in Week 1 and start the season 1-0.
Week 2 (Saturday, September 7): Akron at Rutgers
After hosting Howard in Week 1, Rutgers remains home to take on the Akron Zips. The Scarlet Knights and the Zips only faced each other once in their program history with Rutgers securing a 20-17 victory in 1990. Akron finished the 2023 season with a 2-10 record with no Power Five victories. The Scarlet Knight should capture their second victory on the season when they host the Zips in Week 2.
Week 4 (Saturday, September 21): Rutgers at Virginia Tech
Rutgers football hits the road in Week 4 when they take on the Hokies in their first road game on the schedule. Virginia Tech holds a 12-4 series record over the Scarlet Knights, but Rutgers captured a 35-16 victory last season and will look to build off that momentum in 2024. From 1993 to 2012, Rutgers lost 12 consecutive matchups against Virginia Tech. The Scarlet Knights have the better team in 2024 and should extend their winning streak against the Hokies, improving Rutgers game-by-game prediction to 3-0.
Week 5 (Friday, September 27): Washington at Rutgers
With Washington joining the Big Ten Conference this season, the Scarlet Knights will prepare to host the Huskies in Week 5. The Scarlet Knights could enter their Week 4 matchup against Washington with a 3-0 record and plenty of confidence. Rutgers football will have its first test during the 2024 season when they host Washington in their first Big Ten game.
Washington has the advantage in this Big Ten showdown as the Huskies hold a 2-0 series lead entering the 2024 season. In 2016, Washington hosted the Scarlet Knights in their first-ever matchup with the Huskies defeating Rutgers 48-13. The last time the two programs faced off was in 2017 when Washington defeated Rutgers 30-14. I’ll give the edge to Washington in this matchup, dropping Rutgers’ record to 3-1 on the season.
Week 6 (Saturday, October 5): Rutgers at Nebraska
Since joining the Big Ten Conference, the Scarlet Knights haven’t beaten the Cornhuskers with Nebraska holding a 6-0 series record. In 2022, the Scarlet Knights did come close, losing to Nebraska 14-13. Nebraska made big strides in 2023 under head coach Matt Rhule and will look to continue that trend in 2024. Since Rutgers is the away team, the Cornhuskers have the advantage in the matchup, dropping Rutgers’ record to 3-2.
Week 7 (Saturday, October 12): Wisconsin at Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights will try to get back on track in Week 7 but will host a difficult opportunity in Wisconsin. Rutgers will look to snap a five-game losing streak against Wisconsin when they host the Badgers on Saturday, October 12. Since joining the Big Ten, the Scarlet Knights have been winless against the Badgers. Wisconsin has averaged 38 points a game against Rutgers and their largest victory game in 2021 when the Badgers defeated the Scarlet Knights 52-3. In 2023, head coach Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights battled it out but fell short against the Badgers 24-13. History is leaning towards the Badgers in this matchup, lowering Rutgers’ record to 3-3.
Week 8 (Saturday, October 19): UCLA at Rutgers
Rutgers football will get back on track in Week 8 when they host UCLA in their first-ever game on the gridiron. The Bruins finished the 2023 season with an 8-5 record but only finished the season with a 3-3 road record. UCLA has yet to be battled tested since their 2023 season was on the weaker side, giving Rutgers the edge in 2024. It will be a tall task for the Bruins to travel across the country and defeat the Scarlet Knights, improving Rutgers’ record to 4-3.
Week 9 (Friday, October 25): Rutgers at USC
On Friday, October 25, the USC Trojans and the Scarlet Knights will play in their first-ever football game when Rutgers travels to California. Rutgers’ Week 9 game will be the first time the Scarlet Knights will travel to California to battle on the gridiron. Even with the long-distance travel (2,752 miles), the Scarlet Knights will have a good chance to defeat the Trojans. If Rutgers can control USC’s passing game, the Scarlet Knights can pull off the upset in Week 9. Until proven otherwise, I’ll give the edge to USC, dropping Rutgers’ record to 4-4.
Week 11 (Saturday, November 9): Minnesota at Rutgers
In 2023, Minnesota finished the season with 6-7 and a 1-4 road record, giving Rutgers a slight edge in Week 11. In the off-season, the Scarlet Knights recruited former Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmananis in the transfer portal, earning the starting job during spring practices. Rutgers has yet to defeat the Golden Gophers throughout the years, giving the advantage to Minnesota in Week 11. The matchup will be close, but Rutgers recruiting in the off-season will give the Scarlet Knights the ultimate advantage in Week 11, improving their record to 5-4.
Week 12 (Saturday, November 16): Rutgers at Maryland
Heading into Week 12, Maryland is riding a three-game winning streak over the Scarlet Knights. The Terrapins hold a 12-7 series record, defeating Rutgers seven times in ten matchups since 2014. Maryland finished the 2023 season with an 8-5 record, capturing a victory against Auburn in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl to finish the season. Also, Maryland logged a 42-24 win over the Scarlet Knights last season and will look to continue their winning trend in 2024. Maryland has the advantage in this Week 12 matchup, lowering Rutgers’ record to 5-5.
Week 13 (Saturday, November 23): Illinois at Rutgers
Rutgers will host Illinois in their final home game in 2024, trying to capture their sixth victory. Illinois finished the 2023 season with a 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten) record. Also, Illinois holds a 5-3 series record against the Scarlet Knights, but Rutgers captured the most recent matchup with a 20-14 victory in 2021. Rutgers is the home team in this matchup and has the edge over Illinois in Week 13, improving Rutgers’ record 6-5.
Week 14 (Saturday, November 30): Rutgers at Michigan State
Michigan State had a rough season in 2023, finishing with a 4-8 (2-7 Big Ten) record. The Scarlet Knight has played the Spartans tough over the years, logging a 27-23 home victory last season. Michigan State holds a 10-5 series record, but with the recent success from the Scarlet Knights, Rutgers could capture their seventh win in Week 14.
Mike Cavallo
A sportswriter for The League Winners covering all Rutgers athletics. Follow my social media page for all coverage of Rutgers sports. X (Twitter): @M_Cavs55