Rutgers Football at Illinois Staff Picks and Predictions

After an emotional walk off win last Saturday against Purdue, Rutgers Football goes right back on the right to Champaign, for an early matchup with the Illinois Fighting Illini.

Rutgers now being 4-4, needs 2 wins in their final 4 games to become bowl eligible for the third straight season. Here are our picks and prediction from our staff here at WRSU Sports:

Phil Jaccoma, Sports Director:

Score Prediction: Illinois wins 38-24

Even though Rutgers got the win against Purdue last week, I’m not anymore confident than I was a week ago. The Scarlet Knights are a worse team on paper to Illinois, and I don’t think Rutgers “execution” (or Illinois’ lack-there-of), is enough to get them the victory.

Will Carmenaty, Program Director/Assistant Sports Director:

Score Prediction: Rutgers wins 34-31

This has truly been an up and down rollercoaster ride of a season for the Scarlet Knights. The craziest game for this team last season, came against the Fighting Illini. We’ve never really seen much emotion from Coach Schiano than we did last after the game winning field goal victory against Purdue. It gives me a feeling of a big turnaround is happening once again in November, and it starts with this game, and a win will once again come off the leg of Jai Patel. It will be a wild game vs Illinois, like it was last year. But Rutgers will get their redemption this time around with arguably their biggest win in a while.

Sean Newcomb, Contributing Analyst:

Score Prediction: Illinois wins 35-28

After two straight loses Illinois will play its first game as an unranked team in 2025. Luke Altmyer has played like one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten and will continue his excellent season in Champaign. While the Fighting Illini have allowed 39.6 points a game in conference play, Rutgers’ defense will struggle to play catch-up. I do expect a strong performance from the Knights’ offense, but as it has been all season, the defense will struggle.

Ethan Barroway, Contributing Analyst:

Score Prediction: Illinois wins 38-28

Rutgers has some momentum picking up their first Big Ten win last weekend vs Purdue, but Illinois will overpower the Rutgers defense which still has many holes. The Scarlet Knights will stay in this game for most of the way but will end up falling to star QB Luke Altmeyer and the Fighting Illini.

Noah Addeo, Contributing Analyst:

Score Prediction: Illinois wins 38-24

This game will surely be high scoring as both Rutgers and Illinois have efficient offenses and below-average defenses. Illinois is the better football team overall and for that reason I give them the advantage in this matchup.

Kickoff between Rutgers and Illinois is set for 12:00 PM Eastern. Coverage begins with Rutgers Countdown at 11:00 AM, Phil Jaccoma and Frankie Palumbo have the call beginning at 11:45 AM.