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After two straight games on the road in two of the most hostile environments, Rutgers returns to Piscataway for Homecoming. Instead of mid-major MAC or C-USA opponent, the Scarlet Knights welcome the Wisconsin Badgers, a contender for the B1G West crown. The Badgers are coming off a huge home win over the conference's other newbie, the Maryland Terrapins.
If Ameer Abdullah isn't the best back in the B1G, then the other candidate has to be Melvin Gordon. The gameplan against Wisconsin should be similar to Nebraska's: stop Gordon. Few teams have executed this gameplan with any modicum of success, so no hyperbole is needed to say that this will be the Knights' greatest challenge yet in joining a new conference that boasts the nation's best talent.
Profile
Wisconsin Badgers (5-2, 2-1 B1G) Last week: Won v. Maryland, 52-7
2013 Record: 9-4 (6-2 B1G)
Head Coach: Gary Andersen (44-37 overall, 14-6 Wisconsin)
Location: Madison, WI
Series: First meeting
Broadcast Info
Saturday, November 1 - 12:00 PM
Channel: ESPN
Line: Wisconsin -11
Game Links
Knowing your enemy: Wisconsin Badgers - Looking back on what we expected from Wisconsin in the preseason.
Wisconsin game week notes - Bucky's 5th Quarter breaks down Coach Gary Andersen's press conference, the game week depth chart, and more as the Badgers prepare for Rutgers.
Wisconsin v. Rutgers Preview - Bleacher Report gives an early look at the Scarlet Knights versus the Badgers.
Melvin Gordon speaks out on player compensation - Wisconsin's star running back spoke with Sports Illustrated last week and stated that players should receive money for autographs and likeness use.
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QB Gary Nova was cleared to play and is listed as questionable for Saturday's game, but it remains to be seen how effective he'll be after suffering a lower leg injury in the second quarter against Nebraska. Backup Chris Laviano did play well subbing in for Nova, but there is no question that having your four-year starting quarterback is a benefit in terms of being competitive against a very good team. If Nova can't go, Rutgers will be without two of the three major players who make up the offensive backfield.