Nebraska vs. Rutgers: Game Preview With TV Schedule

Just three weeks removed from a tough loss that shot down a come-from-behind bid, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are playing like a team with something to prove. Already bowl eligible and not even close to being done, the Cornhuskers are looking to make their second Big Ten title game in three seasons.

After starting the year 5-1 and shocking much of the conference, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights were brought back down to earth by Ohio State in a 56-17 thumping just a week ago. Nebraska marks the Scarlet Knights’ second game this season playing a ranked opponent and they are hoping they have better luck in this one.

Nebraska has one of the best running backs in all of college football, and with Todd Gurley out with a suspension, many would argue that Ameer Abdullah is the best running back in the nation right now. Despite being held to just 45 rushing yards against Michigan State, Abdullah has compiled 1,024 yards and 14 touchdowns for the seventh-best run offense in the nation. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. is second on the team in rushing with 482 yards and two scores of his own while Imani Cross has 238 yards and three scores. Armstrong Jr. has been solid through the air as well, passing for 1,546 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions on the year, but his accuracy could use some work. Kenny Bell leads all receivers with 509 yards and two scores on 27 catches while Jordan Westerkamp is right on his heels with 502 yards and three touchdowns on 27 catches.

Gary Nova is moving closer and closer to all-time passing marks in Rutgers history, but the quarterback is focused on the present and the task at hand. While Nova has started for four years, he has a chance to make the 2014 his best season yet, passing for 1,793 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 62 percent of his passes. Leonte Carroo has easily been Nova’s favorite target this season, catching a team-high 34 passes for 648 yards and five touchdowns while the next closest wide out is Andrew Turzilli who has 293 yards and three scores on just seven receptions. Sophomore wide out Janarion Grant has made some noise as well, catching 16 passes for 185 yards. Desmon Peoples leads the 74th-ranked rush attack, running for 409 yards and two scores while Paul James has been the most efficient running back, rushing for 363 yards and five touchdowns on 5.8 yards per carry.

Defensively, the Scarlet Knights have struggled this season against solid offenses. Rutgers is coming off a game in which it allowed 56 points in a loss and the Scarlet Knights rank 66th in points allowed per game while allowed 424 total yards per contest. Nebraska has been far more impressive than last year’s squad, ranking 18th in points allowed per game and allowing just 339 total yards per contest. The Memorial Stadium crowd will be raucous, as always, for this Big Ten matchup.

Rutgers will travel to Nebraska to take on the Cornhuskers at 12 p.m. EST on Saturday, Oct. 25. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN 2.

PREDICTION: Rutgers 17, Nebraska 37

Want to see the Scarlet Knights take on the Cornhuskers in week nine? Check out ScoreBig for tickets.

Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].