Week 1: Rutgers vs UMass Staff Picks and Predictions

The 2026 season is officially here for the Scarlet Knights, kicking off tonight against the UMass Minutemen. Coach Schiano looks for win number 100 on his career at Rutgers, and looks to win his seventh straight season opener in his second stint with the program.

Here are our predictions from our staff at WRSU Sports:

Will Carmenaty, Sports Director:

Score Prediction: Rutgers wins 50-10

First game for QB1 Dylan Lonergan and the debut of the revamped defense for Coach Schiano and company, gives the feeling of an opportunity to make a big case. With UMass being 0-12 last season, they surely did something about it and brought in 24 new transfers. But Rutgers seems more ready than ever in Schiano 2.0 to truly put their name on the national stage. And it starts here, against a lower level Group of 6 team. Rutgers should win big and the depth will get its first look to show out.

Sean Newcomb, Program Director/Assistant Sports Director:

Score Prediction: Rutgers wins 55-10

To put it straight, UMass is a poor college football team, in fact the 136th out of 136 teams last season, and Rutgers possesses the supremely more talented roster. Despite Joe Harasymiak’s familiarity on the Banks, the Scarlet Knights’ main goal in this contest should be to get its backups as many reps as possible. Rutgers boasts a new starting quarterback, a familiar trend since joining the Big Ten, with hopes of a winning season, and a bloodbath against the Minutemen will be the first step to doing so.

Makali Pennycooke, Contributing Analyst:

Score Prediction: Rutgers wins 38-7

Rutgers should start the regular season with a comfortable win against one of the nation’s worst programs. It should be a great opportunity for new starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan to showcase his skill set, as well as for new defensive coordinator Travis Johansen, with many new starters on defense.

Noah Addeo, Contributing Analyst:

Score Prediction: Rutgers wins 44-10

This is a textbook tune-up game for the Scarlet Knights as they face UMass, a program that has gone 18-184 over the past ten seasons and is coming off a winless 2025 campaign. I see Rutgers defeating the Minutemen by a considerable amount, giving key players on both sides of the ball an opportunity to show what they can do in their first matchup of the season.

Reggie Smith, Contributing Analyst:

Score Prediction: Rutgers wins 34-24

Dylan Lonergan will use to this game to establish a on field connection with KJ Duff. I think Rutgers will have to get used to scoring points and building that chemistry with Duff will have to start here. Expect a satisfying game from Lonergan in the air.

Justin Cheeseman, Contributing Analyst:

Score Prediction: Rutgers wins 38-17

The Rutgers offense will pick up where it left off last season, with Antwan Raymond and KJ Duff each getting a TD. RU will lead 21-10 at the half, with the defense having a solid showing. Dylan Longeran will also have a good RU debut and will throw for 2 TDs.

Ethan Barroway, Contributing Analyst:

Score Prediction: Rutgers wins 42-10

Rutgers will get off to a slow start in the first due to early season jitters but will ultimately show why they are the better team. UMass is a bottom tier FBS team and Rutgers offense will overpower them.

Jacob Kohner, Contributing Analyst:

Score Prediction: Rutgers wins 44-10

Rutgers welcomes their new defensive coordinator, Travis Johansson with a dominant performance against a team led by someone who was tasked with running the same unit just two years ago in Joe Harisimiyak but his UMass Minuteman will have the daunting task of defending and offense with two big 10 stand out in KJ Duff and Antoine Raymond looking to spoil his return back to the banks and I think they do just that In pretty convincing fashion jumping out to an early lead and maintaining it for the entire 60 minute game.

The season begins tonight, it’ll be a big day for WRSU. We will be having a live Pregame show on the Rutgers Boardwalk from 3:00-5:00PM. Rutgers Countdown begins at 5:00PM, before Will Carmenaty and Sean Newcomb have the season opening call at 5:45, with a 6:00PM kick. Listen in live on 88.7FM and online at wrsu.org.