#17 Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights 2021 Gator Bowl
This is our first-of -four bowl previews for Friday, December 31, as we offer our Wake Forest vs Rutgers prediction for the 2021 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. The #17 Wake Forest Demon Deacons (10-3) were 7-1 in the ACC, as they first first in the Atlantic Division. The Demon Deacons lost the conference title game to #15 Pittsburgh 21-45. In the Big Ten East, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (5-7) finished sixth with a conference record of 2-7. In their final five games, the Scarlet Knights won two and lost three.
Gator Bowl Spread and Totals Odds
We have Rutgers as the underdog at +16.0 (-110). On the other hand, Wake Forest is favored at -16.0 (-110). The total comes in at 62.5. The over is -115 and under -105. The 2021 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl will be played at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 am ET. The game is on ESPN.
Demon Deacons vs Scarlet Knights Pick - Stats
In our Wake Forest vs Rutgers prediction, the Demon Deacons are out scoring the Scarlet Knights 41.2-to-20.5 PPG. However, in terms of defensive points, Rutgers is better, allowing 24.6 PPG to Wake Forest’s 30.3. Wake Forest is recording 461.9 offensive YPG with 307.6 in the air. The Knights are averaging 312.7 total offensive yards. Of those yards, 172 are passing and 140.7 rushing.
Concerning defensive yards, the Scarlet Knights are allowing 329.1 YPG and the Demon Deacons 423.8. Both are allowing just over 220 passing YPG. On the other hand, the Knights are giving up 162.4 ground YPG, while Wake Forest is allowing 202.0.
Wake Forest vs Rutgers Prediction - Key Players
A note, Wake Forest wide receiver Jaquarii Roberson will skip the Gator Bowl and enter the NFL Draft. However, the receiving unit is deep. Leading wideout A.T. Perry comes to this game having accumulated 1,166 yards, 61 receptions, and 14 scores. QB Sam Hartman, who’s rushed for 11 TDs, has passed for 3,924 yards and 36 scores while completing 58.8 percent of his tosses. Hartman has also thrown 14 INTs and been sacked 32 times. Three solid running back have accumulated more than 1,400 yards and totaled 18 TDs.
Rutgers QB Noah Vedral has thrown seven TD passes and six picks while being sacked 16 times. Top Knights’ receiver Bo Melton has caught 55 passes with three going for scores. RB Isaih Pacheco anchors the ground game. This season he’s gained 647 yards, averaging 3.9 YPA and scoring five times.
Wake Forest vs Rutgers Prediction
This appears to be a major mismatch, as the Knights had not officially qualified for a bowl game and are replacing Texas A&M. Our Wake Forest vs Rutgers prediction for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl is the Demon Deacons at -16.0 (-110). We also like the over at 62.5 (-115).
Sports Betting Smarts is previewing and predicting every one of this season’s 41 college football bowl games. In the first two weeks, we went 22-10 (69%).
2021 Gator Bowl - Wake Forest vs Rutgers Summary
Spread - Wisconsin -6.5 (-113)
Over/Under - Under 41.0 (-107)
