Rutgers Scarlet Knights at #2 Michigan Wolverines

"The Team" credit Ian Ransley via Flickr

Rutgers heads to Ann Arbor to face off with the number two team in the country, the Michigan Wolverines. Michigan comes into this game favored by more than 3 touchdowns. Head Coach, Jim Harbaugh will be standing on the sideline for the first time this season which comes just in time for homecoming.

Broadcast information:

Rutger vs. Michigan will be played on September 23, 2023, at 12:00 EST on the Big Ten Network. The team covering the game will be Cory Provus, doing play-by-play, former Michigan player, Jake Butt, on the color, and Brooke Fletcher on the sidelines.

Michigan fans can also listen live on the radio on WWJ AM 950/ 97.1 The Ticket. The Scarlet Knights radio broadcast will be on Fox Sports New Jersey 93.5-FM/1450-AM.

What's at stake?

Both teams come into the contest 3-0, this is the first Big 10 game for Michigan and the second for Rutgers, having already beaten Northwestern. A win here not only keeps a perfect season going for one of the teams, but it also gives them a conference win along with a win over an east-division opponent.

Michigan has set its goal to play and win a national championship, meaning every game is a must-win. A loss here for the Wolverines would all but surely end their ability to achieve this goal for the 2023 season.

A win for Rutgers here would be one of the biggest wins for Greg Schiano so far in his second go-around as head coach at Rutgers. It would also, prove to the fan base the program is pointed in the right direction.

Key players - Michigan Wolverines

Michigan: QB, JJ McCarthy, and DL, Kris Jenkins

Key Players - Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Rutgers: RB, Kyle Monangai and QB, Gavin Winsatt

Key match-ups:

J.J. McCarthy vs. Interceptions

In the first two weeks of the season, J.J. was near perfect, going 48/55 for 558 yards and 5 touchdowns. In week 3, McCarthy just wasn’t that good going a mere 8/13 for 143 yards, 2 touchdowns with 3 interceptions and if Johnson didn’t make an outstanding play, it would have been 4.

Over the course of his last 4 games, dating back to the TCU College Football Playoff semifinal, J.J. has thrown for 9 touchdowns but has 5 interceptions to go with that. If McCarthy turns the ball over that could be the edge Rutgers needs to not only stay in the game but win it.

Rutgers Run Game Vs Michigan Run Defense

If Rutgers is going to have a chance this week they are going to need running back, Kyle Monangai to step up like he has all year. Monangai is averaging 6.2 yards a carry, has 5 touchdowns on the season to go with a total of 357 yards, and with his long being 55 yards has big play ability. Michigan's run defense will also face a test with Knigh'ts second-leading rusher and quarterback, Gavin Winsatt. Through 3 games this season Winsatt has put up 144 yards on the ground and 2 TDs and is averaging 5.1 per carry.

Led by 6’3”, 305lbs, Kris Jenkins, Michigan's run defense will be the most talented front Rutgers faced all year. Michigan enters the Game ranked 17th in rushing defense, only giving up 2.61 yards per rush, 81 yards per game, and 1 rushing TD so far this year, that TD coming when the starters were already out against UNLV.

Prediction:

The Scarlet Knights came into this game 3-0 but will leave 3-1, unfortunately for Knights fans, there are just too many obstacles for them to clear to win this game. J.J. is going to do his best to make up for last week’s performance, while the defense will look to show that they are as good as advertised.

Rutgers 10 Michigan 38