The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Nebraska Cornhuskers will clash in a key Big Ten matchup this Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. Rutgers enters the game undefeated at 4-0, having secured a hard-fought victory over Washington last week. Led by a stout defense that is allowing just 16.3 points per game and a balanced offensive attack, the Scarlet Knights have emerged as a legitimate contender early in the season. Running back Kyle Monangai has been the heart of the offense, rushing for 589 yards and six touchdowns this season, making him one of the most productive backs in the Big Ten. On the other side, Nebraska is coming off a 28-10 victory against Purdue, where they overcame a sluggish first half to score 28 unanswered points.

The Cornhuskers’ defense, ranked 9th in the nation in points allowed per game (12.2), will look to bottle up Monangai and pressure Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. Dylan Raiola, Nebraska’s quarterback, has been efficient, completing over 70% of his passes with nine touchdowns and only two interceptions. He’ll need to continue this level of play to outmatch a Rutgers defense that thrives on keeping games low-scoring and forcing mistakes. With Nebraska favored by 7 points, this game could hinge on which team establishes control early. Rutgers will want to slow the game down, control the clock with their rushing attack, and limit Nebraska’s opportunities to strike quickly. Meanwhile, the Cornhuskers will look to leverage their home-field advantage and crowd energy to jump out to an early lead, forcing Rutgers into uncomfortable passing situations.