Connecticut @ Rutgers preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 26, 2011 ) Rutgers 22, Connecticut 40

Rutgers was the only team in the nation to win three road games in September. Now the No. 21 Scarlet Knights come home after a week off for four of the next five, starting with a key Big East clash with Connecticut on Saturday. It will be a battle between the league’s top two defenses statistically. Rutgers leads the nation in rushing yards against (62.5) and the Huskies are sixth, but both have running backs that could change that trend. Jawan Jamison has begun the season with four straight 100-yard games for the Scarlet Knights and Lyle McCombs is averaging just over 90 for the Huskies. Connecticut has 16 sacks on defense and Rutgers has allowed only two. Which offense raises its game – UConn is ranked 106th and Rutgers 73rd in the nation – could be the key.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Rutgers -7.5

ABOUT CONNECTICUT (3-2, 0-0 Big East): The Huskies are waiting for their offense to put it together. Connecticut didn’t turn the ball over last week against Buffalo after coughing it up 10 times in the first four games, and still settled for a 24-17 victory. Quarterback Chandler Whitmer has only one interception in the last three weeks, but has been sacked 10 times in that period. Whitmer will have to be sharp against an experienced Rutgers' defense, which has six interceptions and 28 tackles for loss. Martin Hyppolite, who had a 50-yard touchdown run last week, adds support for McCombs. Linebacker Yawin Smallwood has 53 tackles, 10 for a loss.

ABOUT RUTGERS (4-0, 1-0 Big East): Quarterback Gary Nova had his breakout game in the 36-27 victory at Arkansas on Sept. 22, throwing for five touchdowns and 397 yards. Tim Wright has 18 receptions and Brandon Coleman five touchdowns, giving the sophomore quarterback two prime targets. Jamison’s consistency helps open up the offense. The junior from Florida, averaging 122.8 yards per contest, can tie Ray Rice for the school record of five straight 100-yard games to start a season. Linebacker Khaseem Greene leads the defense with 41 tackles. Fullback Michael Burton and nose tackle Ike Holmes were lost to season-ending injuries against Arkansas.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Rutgers has a 21-10 edge in the all-time series, which dates to 1940. Rutgers has won five of eight in Big East play.

2. Connecticut DE Trevardo Williams has 25.5 career sacks, 1.5 from the school record set by Mark Michaels (1982-85).

3. Rutgers can go 5-0 for only the seventh time in the program’s 143 years.

PREDICTION: Rutgers 24, Connecticut 14