This Friday’s matchup with Iowa is perhaps the most important game that Rutgers will play this season. With the way that the back half of the schedule unfolds, the Scarlet Knights must win enough games early on in the year to have a shot at qualifying for bowl eligibility. In addition, since this is a Friday Night game with few other football games on during the same time, college football fans from across the nation will have their eyes on Piscataway. Prime-time games can have a tremendous effect
on a program’s reputation, so it becomes that much more important that the team and the fans put on a good display.
As for the game itself, it is a battle of strength vs strength and weakness vs weakness. Rutgers offense against the Hawkeye defense. The Knights’ defense against the Hawkeye offense. Rutgers’ offense has sustained some injuries over the past couple of games, with wide receiver Ian Strong, offensive tackle Tyler Needham, and running back CJ Campbell all up in the air for Friday. With that being said, Rutgers still has the horses to be a very electric offense in this league. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis has already thrown for 820 yards and seven touchdowns on the year. Running back Antwan Eaymon has already racked up 248 yards and five touchdowns on the year. Wide receiver KJ Duff looks poised to have a breakout season. While the defenses they have faced so far have come from lower levels, they have played some of the best defenses the Group of Five has to offer and moved the ball with ease.
Iowa’s defense is a step up from Rutgers’ previous opponents. They have not surrendered more than 17 points to any of their opponents this season. Even in a loss to a ranked Iowa State team, Iowa only surrendered 16 points. They also already have 7 sacks on the season and 1 forced fumble/recovery to go with it.
In regard to Rutgers’ defense and Iowa’s offense, neither unit has done much to inspire confidence so far this season. The Knights’ defense has continued to allow big play after big play, while the Hawkeye offense only has 365 passing yards on the year across 3 games. Iowa’s rushing attack has been decent, tallying 642 yards and six touchdowns, while Rutgers’ defense has looked slightly better with each passing game.
Both teams are solid on special teams as well, with both coaches having a good reputation when it comes to their special units.
Position Battles to Watch
A large part of this game will boil down to Rutgers receivers against Iowa’s secondary, and Iowa’s offensive line against Rutgers’ defensive line. Rutgers HC Greg Schiano will likely go deep in the rotation on the d-line to keep his unit fresher for longer, while the receivers will need to create space so this offense can hum as it has the past few weeks.
Schiano said during his press conference multiple times that they will need a great showing from Rutgers Nation to give them every edge they need to win. Since the game is very evenly matched, at least on paper, a great home-field advantage could be the deciding factor. Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz is now the winningest coach in Big Ten history and has had an at least eight-win team every year for the past ten years. To put it simply, be there, be loud, wear black.
The game itself is scheduled for Friday, September 19, at 8 pm. The stadium will have a lights and fireworks show that you won’t want to miss 30 minutes before kickoff. Live coverage will be available on FOX.
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