FBS-CFB Game Preview: Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-1) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-1)

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Venue, Date & Time

Location: Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM CT

Broadcast: Big Ten Network (BTN)

Weather Forecast (Minneapolis, MN)

Conditions: Sunny, mild fall afternoon

Temperature: ~75°F (24°C) at kickoff, dropping to ~68°F (20°C) by late afternoon

Wind: 5–8 mph, minimal impact

Impact: Ideal football weather, no precipitation expected

Injury Report

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

RB CJ Campbell Jr. – Out (season-ending injury)

RB Samuel Brown V – Questionable (leg)

WR Ian Strong – Questionable (undisclosed)

TE Ben Rothhaar – Questionable (undisclosed)

Multiple CBs (Clayton, Shaw, Murray, Fuse) – Questionable

Minnesota Golden Gophers

RB Darius Taylor – Questionable (leg)

RB A.J. Turner – Questionable (undisclosed)

WRs Legend Lyons, Bradley Martino, Cristian Driver – Questionable (undisclosed)

K Sam Henson – Questionable (undisclosed)

Key Player Matchups

QB Athan Kaliakmanis (Rutgers) vs. QB Drake Lindsey (Minnesota)

Kaliakmanis (1,150 yds, 7 TD, 1 INT) returns to face his former team; Lindsey (634 yds, 4 TD, 2 INT) is steady but less explosive.

RB Antwan Raymond (Rutgers, 310 yds, 7 TD) vs. RB Fame Ijeboi (Minnesota, 136 yds)

Rutgers’ ground game is more productive; Minnesota’s backfield depth is uncertain due to injuries.

WR Ian Strong (Rutgers, 367 yds, 2 TD) vs. CB John Nestor (Minnesota, 2 INT)

Strong is Kaliakmanis’ top target; Nestor is Minnesota’s ball-hawk.

Rutgers WR KJ Duff (336 yds, 2 TD) vs. Minnesota LB Devon Williams (16 TKL, 1.5 sacks)

Duff stretches defenses; Williams is key in coverage and pressure.

Recent Team Forms

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten)

W 34–31 vs. Ohio

W 45–17 vs. Miami (OH)

W 60–10 vs. Norfolk State

L 28–38 vs. Iowa

Trend: High-scoring offense (41.8 PPG, 14th nationally) but defense allows 24 PPG

Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten)

W 23–10 vs. Buffalo

W 66–0 vs. Northwestern State

L 14–27 vs. California

Trend: Strong defense (12.3 PPG allowed, 12th nationally) but offense inconsistent

Conference Context

Rutgers: Big Ten East contender, looking to rebound after Iowa loss.

Minnesota: Big Ten West hopeful, opening conference play after bye week.

Cross-Division Matchup: Both teams see this as a pivotal swing game for bowl positioning.

Series History

All-time H2H: Minnesota leads 3–1

Last Meeting: Rutgers 26–19 win (Nov. 9, 2024)

Largest Margin: Minnesota 42–7 (2019)

Trend: Minnesota won first 3 meetings (2016–2022); Rutgers broke through in 2024.

Betting Trends

Rutgers:

2–2 ATS this season

4–0 to the Over in 2025

6–3 ATS in last 9 overall

Minnesota:

1–2 ATS this season

2–1 to the Over in 2025

9–3 ATS in last 12 overall

Historical Betting Results (Head-to-Head)

2024: Rutgers +6.5 covered, upset Minnesota 26–19 (Over 44.5)

2022: Minnesota -14 covered, won 31–0 (Under 40.5)

2019: Minnesota -28.5 covered, won 42–7 (Over 46)

2016: Minnesota -17.5 failed to cover, won 34–32 (Under 44.5)

Game Odds

Rutgers Scarlet Knights                 51.5

Minnesota Golden Gophers       – 5.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025