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A Big Ten clash between Rutgers University (3-4) and Indiana University (3-3) will occur on Saturday morning. Both Big Ten squads are dumpster dwellers in the conference's East division, combining for a 1-6 interconference record.
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are reeling, losers of three straight. Their most recent defeat, a 14-13 loss at the hands of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, resulted from the Scarlet Knights' offense going scoreless for the last two-and-a-half quarters.
Head coach Greg Schiano has played musical chairs with the quarterback position, with three separate signal callers taking snaps this season, including Noah Vedral and Evan Simon sharing duties last week.
The Indiana Hoosiers opened the season 3-0, including a win over Western Kentucky, but have since dropped four consecutive matchups.
The Hoosiers are fresh off a 38-33 home loss against a talented Maryland Terrapins squad. Former Missouri Tigers starting QB Connor Bazelak tossed three Indiana touchdowns but lost the turnover battle 3-0.
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Indiana Hoosiers vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Odds
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Tale of the Tape
Rutgers University is in its second stint with head coach Greg Schiano. The former Ohio State DC and Tampa Bay Buccaneers HC spent the entirety of the 2000s at Rutgers, leading them to seven bowl games from 2005-2011.
The Schiano rebuild has been slow yet steady, improving in the wins department over the last three seasons. The Scarlet Knights' offense is a bottom-tier unit within the Big Ten. Neither the passing attack nor the ground game rank in the top half of the conference in yards produced, but RB Samuel Brown has been a bright spot. The 220-pound power back is averaging an excellent 4.7 yards per rush. An astounding rushing attack against Indiana would likely land the Scarlet Knights in the top five in both rushing yards per game and yards per attempt.
The Scarlet Knight's defense has morphed into a gritty group under Schiano. Rutgers ranks in the top ten in the FBS in rushing yards allowed per game (92) and rushing yards per attempt (2.9). The secondary compliments the front seven, forcing eight interceptions in only six games this season.
There was a time just two seasons ago when the Indiana Hoosiers finished #12 in the AP standings. They opened up the following season, 2021, as the preseason #17 before going an abysmal 2-10 on the year. Then, second-team All-Big Ten QB Michael Penix Jr. dipped for The University of Washington, and head coach Tom Allen received his successor from Mizzou with Connor Bazelak.
Bazelak is having an up-and-down season, completing a career-worst 54% of his passes but pacing twenty-plus touchdowns for the first time in his three-year career as a starter. The Indiana signal caller leads in the Big Ten in attempts, completions, and interceptions. The Hoosiers are second to last in the conference in rushing yards per game (83) and rushing yards per attempt (2.7).
The Hoosiers deploy statistically one of the worst defensive units in the game. Opponents pass for 2.7 touchdowns a game, the most among the 14 teams within the Big Ten. Only Nebraska gets gashed for more yardage.
Indiana Hoosiers vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Prediction
The Knights of Rutgers have a favorable matchup ahead of them this week. Rutgers should turn Indiana one-dimensional on offense, leading to turnovers from QB Connor Bazelak.
The quarterback room for the Knights remains a mystery, but it seems Noah Vedral should get the start on Saturday. The veteran will poise himself as a running threat against Indiana, a defense that has been a disaster all season. Expect the Knights to finally get a win in conference play against the Hoosiers.
Prediction: Rutgers -3 (-110)
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