newjerseynewsroom.com

BY MATT SUGAM

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Three and out

1. Who will start at quarterback?

We won’t know the answer to this question until kickoff. Head coach Greg Schiano made that clear at his Monday press conference. After struggling against Syracuse, incumbent starter Chas Dodd and freshman Gary Nova split reps all week in practice — though Schiano wouldn’t disclose how the snaps were divvied up. It would be no surprise if Nova started, since five of the eight quarterbacks to start in Schiano’s 11 years on the banks have been true freshman. Even if he doesn’t start, Nova will likely get playing time as he has for three out of the first four games.

2. Will the offensive line changes get the running game off the schneid?

Part of the reason Schiano wanted to go back to the pro-style offense was to get back to a power run game. Rutgers has been far from that, averaging 75.5 yards per game, which ranks 117th nationally. The state’s No. 1 recruit Savon Huggins has struggled adjusting to the college game thus far, and seldom saw the field against Syracuse. The Scarlet Knights spent the week reshuffling the offensive line once again, in hopes of sparking the anemic running game.

3. Will the turnovers continue to snowball?

Rutgers is tied for first in the nation for most turnovers (18). And the team they share the top ranking with — Cincinnati — has played one more game. Turnovers are key to the Knights defense and are a team that has made them a focus on in Schiano’s tenure. But after just 22 turnovers last season, it’s a bit surprising that Rutgers has just four less than that this early into the season. Especially with a revamped defense that is littered with position changes. But the faster, more athletic defense has a knack for getting their hands on the football. That will need to continue for Rutgers to defeat Pittsburgh this weekend.

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This game’s key player is…

Khaseem Greene

Greene will be a key factor in slowing down the third-leading rusher (734 yards) in the country Ray Graham — his half brother. As the weak side linebacker, Greene is assigned to the running back much of the time. That means he should get more than his fair share of licks on Graham. And the teams leading tackler will have to wrap up and tackle one of the countries most dynamic offensive players to slow down Pittsburgh’s potent spread offense.