Rutgers vs Northwestern head-to-head: position-by-position star ratings, experience, and composite grades on CFB Matchup. They meet Week 8, Saturday, October 24, 2026.
The Breakdown
Northwestern 63, Rutgers 57 — Aidan Chiles' 4★ arm is the clearest separator on paper.
When Rutgers has the ball: The 2.6★ O-line, 3.8 years experienced, faces Northwestern's 3★ D-line — slight edge to the Wildcats.
When Northwestern has the ball: The 2.3★ receiving corps runs into Rutgers' 2.8★ secondary — Chiles has to create.
Swing factor: Aidan Chiles: 4★, three years, portal arrival. Aj Surace counters at 3★, two years. Biggest gap.
X-factor: Late-October Saturday in Evanston, Week 8 — Northwestern's home crowd in a Big Ten grind.