The Associated Press
RUTGERS (5-2, 1-2 Big Ten) at No. 16 NEBRASKA (6-1, 2-1), Noon (ESPN2)
Line: Nebraska by 17 ½
Series Record: Nebraska leads 1-0
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Nebraska is in the middle of the softest part of its schedule and can’t afford a slip-up before finishing with West Division games against Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Rutgers, which was blistered at Ohio State last week, is in the hardest part of its schedule. Following their first trip to Lincoln, the Scarlet Knights have Wisconsin as their homecoming opponent.
KEY MATCHUP
Rutgers’ offensive line against Nebraska’s defensive line. Ohio State sacked Gary Nova four times last week, and the Cornhuskers’ defensive front is the equal of the Buckeyes’. The Huskers have 14 sacks in the last five games and are even stronger with the return of a healthy Kevin Williams.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Rutgers: RB Desmon Peoples must be productive for the Scarlet Knights to have a chance to keep pressure on Nebraska’s defense. Peoples matched his career high with 83 yards and two touchdowns against Ohio State, and he’s also a capable receiver.
Nebraska: WR Kenny Bell needs six catches to overtake Nate Swift for the Nebraska career receptions record. Bell had five catches for 89 yards against Northwestern and a couple drops for which he’d like to atone.
FACTS & FIGURES
Rutgers athletic director Julie Hermann was an All-Big Eight volleyball player for Nebraska in the early 1980s. … Nebraska is allowing opponents to complete just 48.3 percent of their passes, the third-best mark in the nation. … If the Huskers play six more games, Ameer Abdullah needs to average 130 yards to pass Mike Rozier and become the school’s career rushing leader. … A win makes Rutgers bowl-eligible for the ninth time in 10 years. … Nebraska’s 339.3-yard rushing average is its best through seven games since 2001.
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