Rutgers vs. Purdue, Picks and Prediction, Saturday, October 25, 2025
Use Code WWWC We have a Big 10 matchup from West Lafayette, Indiana, so check out this Rutgers (3-4, 0-4 B10) vs. Purdue (2-5, 0-4 B10) prediction on Saturday afternoon at 12pmET. Both teams are on long losing streaks, so we'll finally see a winner and the first Big 10 victory for the squads at the bottom of the league. These teams have not met since 2020 when the Scarlet Knights took out the Boilermakers 37-30 on the road. Don’t get penalized! Increase your bankroll with our College Football Betting Picks!
Outclassed at home
Rutgers opened the season at 3-0 with wins over FCS Norfolk State, Miami-Ohio and Ohio, so there was cautious optimism when it came to the football program. Reality struck on Sept. 18- when they fell at home to Indiana 38-28 and they haven't been competitive other than a 31-28 defeat of Minnesota on Sept. 27. Last week, they allowed 750 total yards and 415 rushing in a 56-10 home loss to then-No. 8 Oregon. To make matters worse, the Scarlet Knights have not defeated a ranked team in 16 years, which is the longest active streak in college football. QB Athan Kaliakmanis was held to 79 yards passing (8-of-25), was picked off twice and sacked three times.
“I'm very disappointed in those numbers,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said. “I have to take a hard look at everything and everyone. I'll have to have some tough nights and days here and figure out what we need to do. We're not at that level right now.”
To make matters worse, Rutgers' top WR Ian Strong, who has 37 catches for 543 yards and two TDs, is listed as questionable for this game with an undisclosed injury.
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Kaliakmanis leads the Scarlet Knights with 1,864 yards passing with 11 TDs and five picks (62.4%). He also has two rushing touchdowns. Antwan Raymond leads all rushers with 615 yards and nine rushing scores (5.1ypc). Offensively, the Scarlet Knight averages 409.3 yards per game (55th) and 133.1 rushing yards (95th). The defense is their biggest issue as they are allowing 437.4 yards per game (123rd), 261.3 passing yards (125th) and 176.1 rushing yards (109th). They also rank 133rd in yards/attempt allowed at 9.8 and 135th in yards allowed per play (7.8).
The hits keep coming for Purdue
Purdue hasn't won a game since it beat FCS SIU 34-17 on Sept. 6. Their only FBS win came against Ball State (31-0) on Aug. 30. Since then, they've lost five straight games, including four conference battles to USC (33-17), Illinois (43-27), Minnesota (27-20), and Northwestern (19-0). The Northwestern loss took place last week in Chicago in front of 12,000 people. The Boilermakers' offense did not show up as they produced just 11 first downs and a little over 300 yards with 22:21 in time of possession. They also fumbled the ball twice and committed eight penalties for 98 yards.
QB Ryan Browne was held to 31 yards passing (5-of-10) before leaving with a shoulder injury. Malachi Singleton came in and threw for 187 yards, but also had a key pick. Browne has thrown for 1,572 yards with seven TDs and seven picks, and also has 163 yards rushing with four TDs and a receiving TD. However, he's listed as questionable with an injured left shoulder and head coach Barry Odom said on Monday that he was "doubtful after today". He could still play, but Singleton, a 6-1, 235-pound sophomore transfer from Arkansas, does have some playing experience and is a strong runner.
The Boilermakers will need to lean on RB Devon Mockobee, who has 430 yards rushing and four TDs, but is averaging just 3.9 yards per carry. On offense, Purdue is solid when it comes to passing the football, averaging 263 yards per game (455th), but just 130.9 rushing yards per game (96th). Their biggest problem is turnover margin as they rank 134th in the nation at -1.7 and they are tied for 119th in fumbles per game at 0.8.
Defensively, they allow 373.4 yards per game (77th), 229.4 passing yards (85th) and 144 rushing yards per game (65th).
TE George Burhenn (undisclosed) is listed as questionable along with QB Ryan Browne.
Rutgers vs. Purdue Pick
Spread Pick for Rutgers vs. Purdue
- Rutgers -2.5 (5 units)
This is not exactly a "game of the week" type of matchup, but this should be a pretty good game. Rutgers should take advantage of turnovers and weak quarterback play in this one, assuming that Browne doesn't go or is limited physically. Raymond is having a strong season for the Scarlet Knights and should be able to take pressure off of Kaliakmakis, who will have the edge at quarterback in this matchup. Yes, Rutgers has issues on defense, but they are playing an offense that produced just 47 points in their last three games.
Over/Under Pick for Rutgers vs. Purdue
- Under 58.5 (4 units)
Purdue is a mess on offense right now without Browne and while Singleton has some talent, there's a reason he's been a backup at two Power 4 programs. Rutgers is averaging just 122.5 rushing yards per game on the road. They're not great against the pass (to be kind), but they are facing a backup quarterback and Rutgers might be missing one of their top wide receivers in Ian Strong, which could mean more of a reliance on a mediocre running game.
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