Game Seven Preview: UCONN @ Rutgers

Tyler
Scarlet Surge
Date Posted: 10/16/08

Another game on the banks of the Ole' Raritan. It should be another good one in Piscataway Saturday as Rutgers faces off against the 5-1 University of Connecticut Huskies.

At 1-5, what else is there to say? You have a struggling quarterback, an entire struggling offense for that matter, and a special teams that has not provided a spark in who knows how many games. Something has to change...right?

Well, I hope so. The Knights have another chance this weekend versus a very good UCONN team. UCONN comes in having beaten 5 rather weak opponents. It's tough to say how good they are. Rutgers lost to UNC, at home, 44-12. UCONN lost, at UNC, 38-12. So to say one is leaps and bounds better than Rutgers is crazy in my opinion.

But UCONN is certainly a better football team, but I expect Rutgers to fight and claw to the end once again. In the past three road games, Rutgers has lost by a total of 12 points. They are just a LITTLE bit off each week from scratching out a victory. Last weeks fall to Cincy was just another example of them "Not being good enough." I think this week will be another case of that.

Another thing is that RU will have trouble defending UCONN halfback Donald Brown. Brown is one of the best halfback's in the country, leading the nation in rushing yardage. He's tore Rutgers up in the past as well, so this matchup should be interesting. This is the second straight week Rutgers will not be facing the teams primary quarterback. Chazz Anderson of Cincinnati was number 3 on the depth chart, and Zach Frazer is the backup to Tyler Lorenzen who got hurt several weeks ago versus Louisville.

Overall, I think Rutgers ONCE AGAIN keeps it close, but loses...My last week prediction was somewhat close. I had RU losing by 8 points, but I had the game ball going to Timmy Brown and I said Rutgers would hang close, but eventually lose...so this week...

Prediciton:
UCONN 25
Rutgers 16
Game Ball: Pete Tverdov. He'll do a good job in stuffing the run. He'll finish with 9 tackles, 3 TFL, and 1 sack. He'll help keep the running game in check, as Donald Brown will rush for 121 yards on 28 carries, and a touchdown.

Game Time: 12:00 PM E.T.
Site: Rutgers Stadium, Piscataway, NJ.
Weather: Sunny with a few clouds mixed in. 60 degrees.