The Rutgers Scarlet Knights will try to avoid a third straight loss to open its Big Ten Conference slate when they visit the Washington Huskies.
After falling to No. 1 Ohio State, the Huskies bounced back with a win in Maryland to even up their Big Ten record and find themselves as10.5-point favorites this weekend.
Read below for my early Rutgers vs. Washington predictions and college football picks.
Rutgers vs Washington predictions
Here are our early thoughts on the spread and total for this week’s game. We will have a full game preview (with a best bet and SGP) later in the week.
Early Rutgers vs Washington spread pick: Rutgers +10.5
This has all the makings of a trap game for the Washington Huskies, who got crushed 24-6 against the Buckeyes, but evened up their conference mark with a 24-20 win over Maryland.
Now they face a Rutgers Scarlet Knights team that's 0-2 in conference play, one of only five teams yet to pick up a win. Get by them, and there’s 15th-ranked Michigan on deck, with 17th-ranked Illinois right behind them.
However, the Scarlet Knights aren’t your basic bottom-feeder. They did damage moving to 3-0 to start the year, averaging 52.5 points in blowout wins over Miami (OH) and Norfolk State. Then came two losses, falling to Iowa 38-28 and then getting edged 31-28 at Minnesota. Over their last four games, Rutgers is 3-1 ATS.
The scoring defense is a problem; currently the fourth-worst in the Big Ten, surrendering 25.4 points per game. However, they're sixth in scoring in the conference at 39 per contest. Washington is just a tick above them in fifth, putting up 39.4 points per game, but they’re in the Top 10 scoring defenses in the Big Ten, allowing 19.8 points per game.
The Huskies had large covers of 20+ points in two wins leading up to conference play, but they’re currently 0-2 ATS in Big Ten action. They’re laying an awful lot of points against a school that might just be in the same realm.
Rutgers does need to tighten up its defense, but even if Washington's offense starts to roll, the Scarlet Knights should be able to stay inside the 10.5-point spread.
Early Rutgers vs Washington total pick: Under 59.5
The Scarlet Knights have been a dream for Over betters, going a perfect 5-0 O/U to start the season. However, this is by far the highest total they’ve had in a game this season, though they reached 60 points in four straight before coming to a halt against Minnesota.
Washington’s high-scoring Overs came to a crashing halt when it got to conference play, as they scored 30 points total across the two games. This defense has staying power, as evidenced by its loss to Ohio State.
The 24 points are the second-fewest points the Buckeyes have scored this season, topped only by the 14 they tallied in a Week 1 win over then No. 1 Texas.
Passing is Rutgers' bread-and-butter, and paced by quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, this offense ranks third in the Big Ten in passing yards. However, Washington has held both Ohio State and Maryland — a pair of Top-10 teams in passing yards in the conference — well below their season averages.
I think Washington's defense can have success, stalling them on enough possessions to keep this Under the total.
Rutgers vs Washington odds
- Rutgers vs. Washington spread: Washington -10.5
- Rutgers vs. Washington moneyline: Rutgers +280, Washington -360
- Rutgers vs. Washington Over/Under: 59.5
How to watch Rutgers vs Washington
- Rutgers vs. Washington matchup
- Date: Saturday, October 10, 2025, 9:00 p.m. ET
- City: Seattle, WA
- Venue: Husky Stadium
- TV: FS1
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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