Rutgers @ Army preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 16, 2010 ) Army 20, Rutgers 23

THE STORY: Chas Dodd is back under center at Rutgers, and it didn’t come a minute too soon. The Scarlet Knights turned to Dodd when they were down by 14 points in the fourth quarter last week and were rewarded with an improbable overtime victory over South Florida. Dodd will get the nod over freshman Gary Nova again this week when Rutgers closes out its non-conference slate by hosting Army at Yankee Stadium. The Scarlet Knights still have a shot at first place in the Big East and the BCS berth that comes along. The Black Knights play a very different style than Rutgers, focusing on the ground attack. Army leads the FBS in rushing at 365.8 yards. While that helps the Black Knights control the tempo, they haven’t been very good at keeping the opposition out of the end zone.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: Rutgers -7.5.

ABOUT RUTGERS (6-3): The Scarlet Knights were down 17-3 with 7:38 to play last week when Jeremy Deering ran a kickoff back 98 yards for a touchdown and Dodd drove Rutgers for a tying score with 1:08 left. The Scarlet Knights were held to minus-7 yards rushing in the contest and are averaging only 87.3 yards on the ground, 117th in the nation. But a strong defense has Rutgers bowl eligible for the sixth time in the last seven seasons.

ABOUT ARMY (3-6): The Black Knights are first in rushing but last in passing, averaging 47 yards through the air. They passed for 26 yards last week in a 24-14 loss to rival Air Force. Army led 14-0 but turned the ball over five times. Army ranks 110th in the nation in turnover margin and has lost 19 fumbles. The Black Knights have dropped three of four, but do have a win over a BCS conference school this season, a 21-14 triumph over Northwestern on Sept. 17.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Rutgers player Eric LeGrand was paralyzed against Army last season. He is making steady progress and will join the television broadcast Saturday.

2. The Scarlet Knights will unveil a new uniform, featuring a white helmet with a block letter R in stars and stripes.

3. Army has dropped seven straight in the series.

PREDICTION: Rutgers 24, Army 17 - Dodd will carve up the Army defense on those rare occasions when the Scarlet Knights get the ball.