Rutgers @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 8, 2011 ) Pittsburgh 10, Rutgers 34

Rutgers can clinch at least a share of its first Big East title with a win at Pittsburgh on Saturday. The No. 19 Scarlet Knights, the only undefeated team in conference play, could wrap up the championship if second-place Louisville loses to Connecticut. The title could come down to the final game of the regular season when Rutgers hosts Louisville on Nov. 29. Pitt needs to beat Rutgers and win at South Florida next week to become bowl-eligible. The Panthers have been to a bowl game for four straight seasons.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: Pitt -2

ABOUT RUTGERS (9-1, 5-0 Big East): The Scarlet Knights have bounced back from their only loss to Kent State on Oct. 27 by winning their last two games. Rutgers has been relying on its defense - ranked fourth in the country in points allowed - all season, and that was the case in last week's 10-3 victory over Cincinnati. The Scarlet Knights, who allow 12.5 points per game, had a shutout going until the Bearcats kicked a field goal with 11 seconds remaining.

ABOUT PITTSBURGH (4-6, 1-4): Tailback Ray Graham, who has come back from a serious knee injury last season, still has a shot at the first 1,000-yard season of his career. Graham, the nation's leading rusher at the time of his injury in 2011, has 835 yards in 10 games. Quarterback Tino Sunseri has thrown 206 consecutive passes without an interception, the second longest active streak in the country. He'll get a stern challenge from a Rutgers' defense that leads the Big East with 15 interceptions.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The game will feature a battle of brothers when Graham takes on Rutgers LB Khaseem Greene. Graham is Pitt’s leading rusher while Greene is the Big East’s leading tackler, averaging 10.7 stops per game.

2. Rutgers leads the conference in forcing 27 turnovers while Pitt has committed a league-low seven.

3. Pitt leads the all-time series 21-8, but Rutgers has won five of the last seven meetings. Rutgers is 3-11 all-time in games played at Pitt, but has won two of the last three at Heinz Field.

PREDICTION: Rutgers 20, Pitt 16