Rutgers football: Predicting the Scarlet Knights 2019 win total
By Ed Stein
October
October is a make or break month. Conceivably, if the Scarlet Knights can hit their stride, they have an opportunity to run through October unscathed. I don’t think it will happen, probably far from it, but it’s not impossible. They play a small FBS school and three unranked Big 10 teams. Two of those opponents aren’t expected to do much better than RU.
October kicks off with Maryland on the fifth. The Terrapins were 5-7 last season and this year new head coach Mike Locksley will have a hard time on improving upon that this season. If there is a conference win for the home fans, this is the one. RU needs to go all out to reel in this one but they will fall short.
A trip to Bloomington, Indiana is next on the slate October 12. If this were a home game, I’d be tempted to give it to RU. As it is the Hoosiers will need this one badly. By this time, freshman quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will have a few games under his belt. That should be enough for IU to pull out a win.
The Scarlet Knights come back home to face Minnesota on October 19. The Golden Gophers will make some noise this season. Although they are unranked, MU doesn’t play the cream of the conference Michigan, and Ohio State in 2019. If they can pull an upset over 24th ranked Nebraska at home, Minnesota could be undefeated and possibly a top-10 team when they pull up to SHI Stadium. Momentum will carry Minny through to a road win.
After four straight conference games, RU gets a break from the Big 10 grind on October 28. Liberty University, an FBS independent, comes to New Jersey. The Flames are led by former Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freese. Although Liberty is on the upswing, there is absolutely no reason for the Scarlet Knight to lose at home. Rutgers gets a step closer to .500.
October record 1-3. Season record 3-5.