Rutgers vs Howard Prediction & Betting Tips for Week 4 on 9/25/2026

The Howard Bison head into Week 4 of the 2026 regular season with hopes of securing their first victory. Following a tough 55-0 loss to Indiana Hoosiers, Howard is looking to rebound against a similarly struggling opponent. This non-conference game presents an opportunity for the Bison to reset and adjust their strategy.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights are also seeking their first win of the season after three consecutive losses. Despite a solid offensive performance, Rutgers fell short against USC in their last outing, losing 42-35 at home. The Scarlet Knights aim to capitalize on their home field advantage at SHI Stadium against Howard.

The game is set for Friday, September 25, 2026, at 7:00 PM, with coverage on BTN. The odds heavily favor the Scarlet Knights, with a -20000 moneyline compared to Howard’s +3500. Both teams face the challenge of turning their seasons around, making this an intriguing matchup in Piscataway.

Rutgers vs Howard At a Glance (Week 4)

• Venue: SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ
• Game Time: Friday, September 25, 2026 at 7:00 PM
• Television: BTN
• Howard Bison Record: 0-1 this season
• Rutgers Scarlet Knights Record: 0-3 this season
• Game Odds: Rutgers -42.5 with a moneyline of -20000

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Aim to Rebound at Home

Offensive Overview

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are looking to improve their offensive output, having scored 77 points this season, ranking 54th nationally. Their passing attack has been a bright spot, accumulating 841 yards, placing them 37th in the nation.

However, the ground game has struggled, with just 357 rushing yards, ranking a lowly 106th. The Scarlet Knights have managed to achieve 64 first downs, showing their ability to sustain drives, ranking 24th.

Defensive Insights

Defensively, the Scarlet Knights have allowed 107 points this season, which positions them 77th in the rankings. Despite the points allowed, their defense has been formidable in creating turnovers, recording two interceptions, ranking 3rd, and recovering one fumble.

Their pass rush has been effective with three sacks, ranking 12th nationally. This ability to pressure the quarterback could be pivotal in upcoming games.

Player Spotlight

Quarterback Dylan Lonergan has been the primary offensive driver, completing 65 passing attempts for 494 yards and five touchdowns. AJ Surace has also contributed significantly, completing 36 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns.

Antwan Raymond leads the rushing attack with 298 yards on the ground. KJ Duff has been a standout receiver, with 24 receptions totaling 419 yards and six touchdowns, making him a key offensive threat.

Injury Concerns

The Scarlet Knights have a few injury concerns that could impact their performance. Wide receiver Dino Kaliakmanis and defensive back Kevin Levy are both questionable with undisclosed injuries.

Defensive lineman Jyon Simon is also listed as questionable. These potential absences could affect both the offensive and defensive units significantly.

Upcoming Schedule

Rutgers is set to play Howard Bison at home on September 25, followed by another home game against Indiana Hoosiers on October 3. Both games will be held at SHI Stadium, offering Rutgers the advantage of home-field support.

These upcoming games provide Rutgers an opportunity to rectify their current 0-3 record. Securing a win against Howard would be crucial for building momentum.

Rutgers Top Betting Trends

• O/U - Home Games: Last 13 Games (2024–2026) → 12-1 (92.3%)
• SU - As Favorite: Last 20 Games (2022–2026) → 16-4 (80.0%)
• O/U - As Favorite: Last 15 Games (2023–2026) → 12-3 (80.0%)
• O/U - All Games: Last 22 Games (2024–2026) → 15-7 (68.2%)
• O/U - After Loss: Last 14 Games (2024–2026) → 10-4 (71.4%)

Howard Bison Seek Redemption on the Road

Offensive Challenges

Howard Bison's offensive performance has been underwhelming this season. With only 44 passing yards and 13 rushing yards in their recent game, they rank near the bottom nationally in both categories. The Bison will need significant improvements in these areas to compete effectively.

Starting quarterback Ja'Shawn Scroggins attempted 15 passes for a total of 43 yards against Indiana. Isaiah Freeman, the backup quarterback, also saw action but managed only 1 yard on 5 attempts. The team is searching for consistency and production from its passing game to ignite the offense.

Rushing Struggles

The Bison's ground game has struggled to gain traction. Billy Roberson II leads the team's running backs with 14 rushing yards, but the team as a whole produced only 13 rushing yards against Indiana. Howard's offense will require more effective run-blocking and better performance from their running backs to enhance their rushing attack.

John Washington III and Travis Kerney also contribute to the backfield but combined for minimal yardage. Improving their rushing attack is critical for sustaining drives and giving their defense a chance to rest.

Defensive Standouts

Despite the loss, Howard's defense had some bright spots. They rank 13th in the nation for sacks, with two recorded in the game against Indiana. The defense has also been effective at forcing turnovers, ranking 6th in fumbles recovered.

However, the defense allowed 296 rushing yards and 209 passing yards in their last game. To keep their opponents in check, the Bison need to tighten up their run defense and continue pressuring opposing quarterbacks.

Key Players to Watch

Wide receivers Derrick Miller and Semaj Pierre each had a reception in the game against Indiana, leading the receiving corps. Se'Quan Osborne showed potential with two receptions for 11 yards. Continued development from these players can provide a spark in the passing game.

Tight end Nathanial Clark also contributed with two receptions for 4 yards. His involvement in the passing game might be crucial for the Bison to open up the field.

Team Betting Trends

• ATS - Totals ≥ 50: Last 5 Games (2022–2026) → 5-0 (100.0%)
• ATS - All Games: Last 6 Games (2022–2026) → 5-1 (83.3%)
• ATS - As Underdog: Last 6 Games (2022–2026) → 5-1 (83.3%)
• ATS - Away Games: Last 6 Games (2022–2026) → 5-1 (83.3%)
• ATS - After Loss: Last 6 Games (2022–2026) → 5-1 (83.3%)
• O/U - All Games: Last 7 Games (2021–2026) → 4-3 (57.1%)

Rutgers vs Howard Week 4 Prediction: Howard +42.5

As Rutgers prepares to host Howard at SHI Stadium, the odds favor the Scarlet Knights heavily with a -42.5 spread. Despite Rutgers' home-field advantage, their 0-3 record this season suggests they might not cover such a large spread. Howard, on the other hand, has managed to cover in five of their last six games when the totals exceeded 50 points, showcasing their ability to perform better than expected as underdogs.

Howard's recent performance, although marked by a heavy defeat against Indiana, does not discount their potential to cover the spread. Their defensive stats, especially with two sacks in their last game, indicate that they might be able to slow down Rutgers' offense enough to keep the game within the spread. Additionally, Howard's track record against large spreads is compelling, making them a viable option for covering the spread this week.

Rutgers has struggled to gain traction this season, both offensively and defensively. Although they have a superior passing yardage this season, their inability to convert that into wins raises questions about their consistency. With their current form, surpassing the 42.5-point spread might be a tough challenge against any team, even one like Howard, which is perceived as less competitive.

Given the trends and current form of both teams, it's reasonable to anticipate that Howard will cover the spread. A projected scoreline of Rutgers 48 - Howard 10 supports this prediction, where Rutgers wins but does not manage to cover the spread by the necessary margin.

• Rutgers vs Howard Prediction: Howard +42.5
• Rutgers vs Howard Score: Rutgers 48 - Howard 10

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