This weekend the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will face the Iowa Hawkeyes. The game will be held in Iowa, and the Hawkeyes are currently ranked 22nd in the second College Football playoff ranking. If the Scarlet Knights get the win, it would be a big deal for the program. Rutgers is coming off their third loss of the season and looking for a bounceback win. Here is what to expect this weekend for Rutgers.
What to Watch for
This will be a heavy defensive game for both teams. The Hawkeyes’ defense has been a big reason that the team has won seven games. Iowa lost their quarterback for the season but still continued to win. Now it will be up to the Rutgers defense to pressure on the Iowa offense. This season, quarterback Deacon Hill has completed 47 passes out of 113 attempts for 492 yards, according to ESPN. He has passed for three touchdowns compared to four interceptions. He has also been sacked 11 times.
This is where the Rutgers defense comes into play. If they can pressure Hill, Rutgers has a true chance to win the game. The defense will also need to stop the run game. Iowa’s leading rusher, Leshon Williams has over 500 rushing yards, but just one touchdown according to ESPN. Since Cade McNamara got hurt, Iowa is not scoring as high, which can help Rutgers get the win.
Rutgers QB Gavin Wimsatt – AP Photo/Noah K. Murray
As said, the Hawkeyes have a strong defense. This means Rutgers’ quarterback, Gavin Wimsatt will need a big game this weekend. Wimsatt needs to play smart and use his legs to give him more time to throw. Rutgers have lost three games this season, in all three he has thrown a pick-six. Iowa has forced eight interceptions this season, according to ESPN. Turnovers by the offense of any kind need to be avoided, but the pick-six against Ohio State truly shifted the momentum of the game.
At the heart of this offense is the run game. If Rutgers can get that going early, that will be a big help, but they also will need to be ready in case they can’t. If they can get Kyle Monangai going early, this will make the passing game much easier on them. Hopefully, the team can get some other running backs in the mix as well.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights RB Kyle Monangai (5) – Vincent Carchietta/USA TODAY Sports
Rutgers Players to Watch
Gavin Wimsatt
Of course, Wimsatt will be a player to watch this weekend. When he plays smart, this team wins. He needs to be accurate and release the ball early to get away from the Iowa defense. This season, Wimsatt completed 101 passes out of 206 attempts for 1,263 yards, according to Sports Reference. He has also passed for eight touchdowns compared to five interceptions. Wimsattt can also use his legs. This season he has rushed for 411 yards and seven touchdowns. If Wimsatt plays well, this team plays well.
Mohamed Toure
Linebacker Mohamed Toure will be another player to watch this weekend. Toure stepped up big time last weekend and was a big reason Rutgers put up such a fight. This season, Toure had 58 combined tackles, 26 solo, and five tackles for loss, according to Sports Reference. He also has had 2.5 sacks, one interception, two passes defended, and one forced fumble. If Toure plays well this weekend, the Iowa offense will struggle.
Robert Longerbeam
Another defensive player to watch this weekend is defensive back Robert Longerbeam. He needs to step up this weekend and not allow the receivers on Iowa to even have a chance. This season, Longerbeam has had 30 combined tackles, 22 solo, one tackle for loss, and one sack according to Sports Reference. He also has had one interception this season, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and nine passes defended. Longerbeam playing well will be important for the team this weekend.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights CBs Robert Longerbeam (7) and Max Melton (16) – Paul Rutherford/USA TODAY Sports
Game Predictions
Going off the idea that this will be a big defensive game, it can be expected that this will be a low-scoring battle. For the prediction, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will defeat the Iowa Hawkeyes 17-14. Hopefully, it is a more exciting game, than that, but these are two solid defenses battling. This will be a big game, especially with Iowa now being a ranked team. If Rutgers does get the win, it will be an important one for the program.
