Rutgers-Louisville odds: Scarlet Knights host Cardinals as 3-point favorites

Rutgers are favored to take down Louisville when they host the Cardinals on Thursday night in New Jersey. Bookmakers have the Scarlet Knights as three-point favorites, which means they see the two teams as about even with home field making the difference.

The Scarlett Knights will win the Big East outright and book a spot in a BCS bowl with a victory on Thursday night, giving 9-2 Rutgers extra incentive. Rutgers currently lead the conference with a 5-1 record, ahead of a trio of teams with two conference losses. That group includes Louisville, who are 4-2.

Rutgers are coming off of a 27-6 loss at Pitt last week, when they also could have clinched the conference crown. That looks much better than Louisville's recent play, though. The Cardinals started the season 9-0, but have suffered back-to-back losses to Syracuse and Connecticut.

Teddy Bridgewater was questionable for Thursday's game, which would be a major blow to the Cardinals, but it appears as if he will play. Still, he will be challenged by the outstanding Rutgers defense, which is fourth in the nation in points allowed at just 13.7 per game.