Rutgers (2-5 overall, 0-4 Big Ten) at Minnesota (4-2 overall, 1-2 Big Ten)
When: Saturday, 11:00 a.m. CT – Minneapolis, Minn.
Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium (50,805)
TV/Radio: ESPNU, KFAN 100.3 FM
Coach: Chris Ash (1st season)
Spread: Minnesota -18½, o/u: 44
INSIDE THE GAME
Scarlet Knights at a Glance
Rutgers is looking for its first Big Ten West victory since joining the conference. RU is currently 0-6 against west opponents.
Saturday’s game will be the inaugural matchup between the two schools.
Keep an eye on defensive lineman Darius Hamilton. The senior is the first three-time captain in program history. He’s racked up 26 tackles-for-loss and 11 sacks in 46 career games.
Rutgers ranks last in the conference in scoring offense (16.6) and scoring defense (37.7). RU is averaging nearly eight fewer points per game on offense than the next lowest team, MSU (24.2).
No. 1 Janarion Grant has been an explosive playmaker for the Scarlet Knights this season. The senior wide receiver has scored a touchdown four different ways; passing, rushing, punt return, and kick return. He’s totaled 676 yards and six touchdowns this year.
Coach Speak
“We have some kids that, you know, we played better. I still think we can improve on what we did. But we did finish some blocks, gave the backs a few more seams to be able to hit the seams but we still got to be able to make improvement up there. It’s getting tougher with the injury part of it, but that’s part of the game, and the guys who stepped in there played well enough to win.” – Tracy Claeys on the offensive line
“They are a big, physical football team. You look at their offensive line. They are big. They remind me a lot of a Wisconsin offensive line. Jerry Kill, and now Tracy Claeys, has done a nice job with that program building that thing up the way that they have. …Well-coached football team that has had success and they keep doing what they are doing, and you know, it’s going to be a challenge. Going to play Minnesota there, it’s going to be a long road trip. You’re going to go play a physical football team, a veteran team, a well-coached team. It’s going to be a challenge.” – Chris Ash on Minnesota
STORYLINE CENTRAL
The Gophers have dealt with their fair share of injuries, suspensions, and benchings. Like Minnesota, Rutgers is dealing with depth chart issues, especially at quarterback. Steve Polti from NJ.com has a nice write-up on the Scarlet Knights’ carousel of signal-callers. This week, former scout team QB Giovanni Rescigno will get the start for Rutgers.
Sticking with the theme of backup quarterbacks, Brian Fonesca takes a look at Rutgers and the Gophers’ situations under center. He also notes how Saturday is an opportunity to turn the season around for the Scarlet Knights, something to keep in mind if you’re the Gophers.
You’ve likely seen it already, but the best story to come out this week is from Gaelin Elmore. GopherSports did a great job sharing the awe-inspiring story of Elmore’s difficult upbringing. Even if you’ve watched it once, take another look.
WHO WINS?
The Gophers Win If…
They don’t look past the Scarlet Knights. On paper, the Gophers have almost every advantage. Rutgers is dead last in the Big Ten putting up less than 17 points per game but allowing over 37. Minnesota’s rushing offense (again, on paper) should handle a Rutgers offense that’s giving up 260 yards on the ground per game. In games like this, it’s important to focus on your opponent, and not what next Saturday might look like.
“It all comes down to, is you worry about yourself, you know, and if you want to have an opportunity towards the end of the year, you got to play your best each and every Saturday, and, you know, have respect for your opponent, that you prepare for them, and if you don’t, then something’s going to happen,” said Tracy Claeys.
The Scarlet Knights Win If...
They can extend drives and convert on third downs. It’s really a battle of weakness vs. weakness. The Gophers are allowing opponents to convert almost 40% of the time on third down, while Rutgers is near the bottom of the Big Ten in third down conversion. By converting early and taking the homecoming crowd out of the game, the Scarlet Knights have a chance to make things more interesting than most fans expect.