Pittsburgh @ Rutgers preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 23, 2010 ) Rutgers 21, Pittsburgh 41

THE STORY: Two teams envisioning a run at the Big East title collide Saturday when Pittsburgh visits Rutgers. The Panthers routed South Florida 44-17 in their conference opener on Sept. 29, their most impressive performance of the season. Pitt had lost to Iowa and Notre Dame before routing the previously unbeaten Bulls. Rutgers has started off 2-0 in Big East play just once in 21 seasons, so a victory over the Panthers would rate as a big deal. The Scarlet Knights beat Syracuse 19-16 in double-overtime last Saturday in their conference opener.

TV: ESPNU. LINE: Pittsburgh -7.

ABOUT RUTGERS (3-1, 1-0 Big East): The Scarlet Knights have been highly opportunistic and lead the nation in turnover margin (plus 2.75). Rutgers has 18 takeaways (10 fumbles, eight interceptions) while committing just seven miscues. That propensity for forcing mistakes has helped Rutgers boast an average time of possession of 35:36 and a ranking of 17th in scoring defense (16.5). The quarterback position is unstable. Backup Gary Nova could start ahead of Chas Dodd after rallying the Scarlet Knights from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit against Syracuse. Receiver Mohamed Sanu has 43 receptions for 328 yards and five touchdowns. Safety Duron Harmon has a team-leading three interceptions. The Scarlet Knights allow just 91.5 rushing yards per game, 20th best nationally.

ABOUT PITTSBURGH (3-2, 1-0 Big East): Ray Graham is putting up rushing yardage at a school-record pace and that is quite a feat when you consider the Panthers featured 1976 Heisman Trophy winner Tony Dorsett. Graham’s 734 yards represent the best five-game start in school history, and he ranks third in the nation at 146.8 yards per game. Graham erupted for 226 yards against South Florida. Quarterback Toni Sunseri has passed for 1,039 yards and five touchdowns. But Pittsburgh has allowed 22 sacks, most in the nation. The Panthers rank 95th in total defense (414.4). Safety Jarred Holley leads all Big East players with nine career interceptions.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Panthers lead the series 21-7 and are 9-4 in road games against Rutgers.

2. Graham has three career 200-yard rushing performances. Dorsett holds the school record of four.

3. Rutgers’ only 2-0 start in Big East play occurred in 2006 when the Scarlet Knights finished with an 11-2 record.

PREDICTION: Pittsburgh 24, Rutgers 20 – Graham is on a roll and the Panthers will rely on him heavily to scoot past the Scarlet Knights.