Week one of the college football season will have a matchup of Rutgers vs. Northwestern. The Scarlet Knights will be having their home opener on Sunday as the Wildcats are traveling to SHI Stadium. Rutgers is looking to qualify for a bowl game this season, and it will be the first look at what this team can do. Here is all there is to know regarding the Rutgers vs. Northwestern matchup.
Rutgers vs. Northwestern: What to Watch For
The first thing to watch for is how quickly the defense can take control of the game. The Scarlet Knights’ defense is the spotlight of the team. If they can force three-and-outs and turnovers, Rutgers will be put in a good spot. The key will be to make these stops early and shake up Northwestern’s offense right away. This is all something that could definitely be done by the Scarlet Knights.
Next up to watch is the offense. Last season, the offense was the weakness of the team, especially the offensive line. The defense made all the stops but eventually got too tired out to keep fighting. There was only so much the defense could do with the offense not being able to stay on the field. While it would be great for the offense to put up big numbers, what should be watched for is how long they can stay on the field. If they can control the time of possession, that would be a huge help to this team and lead to a win.
While this is not really something anyone can control, everyone should watch for how healthy the team comes out of the Rutgers vs. Northwestern matchup. Last season, the Scarlet Knights were destroyed by injuries. This has been a big factor as to why quarterback Gavin Wimsatt has struggled on the field. If he could last a full season, Rutgers fans could finally see his potential.
IU QB Connor Bazelak (9) and Rutgers DL Wesley Bailey (23) – Rich Schultz/Getty Images
Rutgers Players to Watch
Gavin Wimsatt
Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt will be one of the most important players on the field on Sunday. While yes, the quarterback is always important, this week, Wimsatt needs to set the tone for the rest of the season. He needs to show he can make smart decisions and that he can move the ball downfield. Even if he does not show off anything crazy, if he can keep the offense on the field and score, the Scarlet Knights will be just fine.
Wesley Bailey
Defensive lineman Wesley Bailey will be a breakout player this year for the Scarlet Knights. Throughout the 2022 season, he got better as the season progressed. He will be a big part of the defense and a factor in the crucial moments of the game. The team has a solid secondary, if the defensive line can also put pressure on the quarterback, they should be able to force turnovers, drastically helping this team. Watch for Bailey to get at least one sack this week in the Rutgers vs. Northwestern matchup.
Kyle Monangai
Rutgers has demonstrated that they could have a solid run game, which makes running back Kyle Monangai a player to watch. The team also has Samuel Brown V., and the two of them could be a dominant duo. If Monangai can force some explosive plays, that can boost the momentum of the offense and take some of the weight off of Wimsatt’s shoulders. If the team runs the ball more than they pass, that’s okay, but they need to create a rhythm. Watch for Monangai to be a big part of this Scarlet Knights offense.
Rutgers QB Gavin Wimsatt (9) – Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Game Predictions
It may be a close one, but in the Rutgers vs. Northwestern matchup, the Scarlet Knights will walk away with the victory. It will be a close match, but Rutgers are the favorites, and they can definitely get the win this week. This is an important game for the Scarlet Knights, and if they can get the win, it could set the tone for the 2023 season. The Rutgers vs. Northwestern game will be this Sunday at 12 p.m. Eastern.
