Howard Bison (6-6 Last Season) vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (7-6 Last Season)
The new season of NCAAF is kicking off with an intriguing Week 1 matchup as the Howard Bison face off against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Thursday at SHI Stadium. Both teams are coming off middling seasons, with Howard and Rutgers finishing 6-6 and 7-6 respectively last year. This early-season game will be crucial for setting the tone for both teams. Fans can catch the action live on BTN at 6:00 PM ET. For those looking for daily NCAAF free picks, this game presents a number of interesting angles to consider.
Howard Bison depends on Eden James at running back and Kasey Hawthorne at wide receiver. This team possesses the best combination of all-world talent in Eden James, who was a beast last year by rushing for 627 yards with an average of 5.6 yards per carry and two touchdowns, and his explosive runs were vital to Howard’s offense. Kasey Hawthorne did well to complement the ground game by catching 38 passes for 535 yards and scoring five times. How well he can stretch the defense will be critical against Rutgers.
In contrast, Rutgers boasts strong firepower in their backfield and receiving corps. Kyle Monangai, a running back, ran for 1,262 yards during last season on 242 carries and scored eight touchdowns; he seemed to be able to find where holes were made on a defense too often. Christian Dremel has so far seen himself become one of those people could rely upon when situations get tough; this was evident from his three touchdowns that amassed him four hundred and sixty-eight yards in receptions.
Howard Bison vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Game Info
| When: | Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 6:00 PM ET |
| Where: | SHI Stadium |
| TV: | BTN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Quinton Williams QB vs. Ajani Sheppard QB
The Howard quarterback, Quinton Williams, finished the last season with 2,264 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. His resilience and ability to make big plays under pressure were evident despite facing 19 sacks. His completion rate of 59.1% and his passer rating of 129.5 illustrate efficiency as well as highlight deep-threat capabilities (which will be vital in penetrating Rutgers’ defense).
This year’s starter for Rutgers Ajani Sheppard, had limited exposure in the previous season where he had only two completions on as many attempts for 23 yards. However, his perfect completion rate and passer rating of 196.6 in limited action suggest potential; but he has to show that he is capable of managing games over a full season. To this end, how Sheppard plays, decides upon moves during the game and reacts to game pressures will be crucial for Rutgers offensive strategy.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Rutgers Scarlet Knights -36.5 -110, Total Odds: 49.5
The betting odds for this matchup are heavily in favor of Rutgers, with a massive point spread of -36.5. The total over/under set at 49.5 reflects expectations for a relatively high-scoring affair, which aligns with both teams’ tendencies to surpass point totals in recent games.
Howard Bison Betting Trends
Howard has shown a strong tendency to beat the spread, going 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games. Despite their struggles to win games outright, particularly against Rutgers and on the road, their ability to keep games closer than expected makes them a potential underdog bet. The total has gone OVER in 6 of Howard’s last 7 games, pointing towards a trend that might continue given their offensive weapons and defensive vulnerabilities.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Trends
Conversely, Rutgers has been dominant in August games, boasting a 6-0 ATS record in their last 6 played during this month. Their home-field advantage is pronounced, having won 5 straight at SHI Stadium against Howard. While they’ve struggled in their last few outings overall (1-4 SU in their last 5 games), their performance in home openers remains strong.
Howard Bison vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 8/29/24 Betting Picks
Considering the massive differences between recent shows and betting patterns, I would recommend Rutgers beat the spread. Notwithstanding Howard’s resilience, the statistics around their home advantage and domination on this fixture indicate they can cover large spreads. Furthermore, given these teams’ offensive capacities and recent trends, taking over on 49.5 points is also an exciting bet.
If you are looking for top betting sites, you may want to consider prop bets about individual performances like Eden James’ rushing yards or Kasey Hawthorne’s receiving yards because that might be where the money lies.
