A reeling Rutgers team awaits the Gophers in Piscataway
The Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-3) head to Piscataway for a game chock full of narratives against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-4) on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.
Can Rutgers score on offense?
Gopher fans should be more than familiar with a Kirk Ciarrocca offense by now.
As you might expect, his Scarlet Knights offense is built around a strong ground game, averaging 181.6 rushing yards per game. Leading rusher Kyle Monangai is one of the best running backs in the Big Ten, if not the country, with 172 carries for 931 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He has been a bit banged up this season, but you wouldn’t know it from his consistent production. Monangai is quick and elusive, with the ability to make defenders miss in the open field. The Gophers will need to be sound in their tackling, because he will run right through arm tackles.
Monangai also operates behind a massive offensive line that lost starting left guard Bryan Felter to a season-ending knee injury in early October.
Former Minnesota starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is now Rutgers’ starting signal caller, and he has struggled in Big Ten conference play, completing only 50% of his passes and throwing more interceptions (4) than touchdowns (3). He is still very much the same quarterback he was with the Gophers. Kaliakmanis is most comfortable when he is running Ciarrocca’s RPO offense, which only requires him to make one read. They are also moving the pocket and trying to take advantage of his athleticism. But Kaliakmanis still struggles with accuracy and being efficient.
The Scarlet Knights like to spread the ball around when they take to the air. Wide receiver Dymere Miller is their leading receiver with 37 receptions for 480 receiving yards, but eight different pass catchers have recorded a touchdown reception this season.
The game plan here seems clear: Stop Monangai and force Kaliakmanis to beat you.
Please tell me the Gophers will be able to score
Rutgers defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak’s unit ranks 94th nationally in run defense (165.9 rushing yards allowed per game), 78th in pass defense (226.6 passing yards allowed per game), and 70th in scoring defense (24.7 points allowed per game).
They have been very banged up defensively. Defensive end Aaron Lewis, linebacker Tyreem Powell, and cornerback Robert Longerbeam all reportedly limped into the bye week below 100%.
Linebacker Dariel Djabome is their top tackler, whose 69 total tackles lead the team by a wide margin. Kyonte Hamilton is a disruptive force at nose tackle, with 26 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. But the Scarlet Knights have struggled to get home with their pass rush, ranking 17th in the Big Ten in sacks. Their best pressures have come from their linebackers, so look for Harasymiak to try and disrupt the Gophers’ passing game with blitzes.
Rutgers has also not been very opportunistic on defense, with only five interceptions and four fumble recoveries. That ranks them 16th in the Big Ten in turnovers. Strong safety Shaquan Loyal leads the team with two interceptions and five pass break-ups.
This is not a very good defense, and Minnesota gained a lot of momentum in their ground game with Darius Taylor’s performance against the Fighting Illini last week. So look for him to have another big day on Saturday in Piscataway.
But who will score more points on Saturday?
These are two coaching staffs that know each other very well. P.J. Fleck cites Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano as one of his coaching mentors. Schiano poached both his offensive coordinator and his defensive coordinator from Minnesota. Fleck returned the favor by hiring Corey Hetherman as his defensive coordinator. The Scarlet Knights also feature two former Gopher starters in Kaliakmanis and safety Michael “Flip” Dixon. You know Minnesota wants this one, and Rutgers needs it to pull their season out of freefall. I think the Gophers are the better team and are playing complementary football right now. Minnesota 28, Rutgers 21.