Targum sports desk gives predictions for Rutgers-Northwestern
The Rutgers football team will open up its season this Sunday at home against Northwestern. It will be a pivotal game for head coach Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights as they attempt to make a bowl game this season.
In anticipation of this weekend's game, The Daily Targum sports desk weighed in with its score predictions and overall thoughts on how the game will unfold.
Ellis Gordon, head sports editor: "Rutgers has a surprisingly good opening day record during Schiano's second tenure. The Knights upset Michigan State in 2020, dominated Temple in 2021 and upset Boston College in 2022. Schiano usually has his teams ready to go in the opening week, and I think this year will be no different.
"Fans will see some improvement from junior quarterback Gavin Wimsatt, and both the defense and offense are coming into the season relatively healthy. As a result of this and all the turmoil that surrounded Northwestern this offseason, Rutgers will ride three defensive turnovers and just a good enough offense to defeat the Wildcats by a score of 24-10."
Josh Meyers, associate sports editor: "It may be opening day for Rutgers, but I think this game is a must-win. Northwestern is coming into Piscataway with its head underwater following the allegations of hazing on the team and the firing of long-time head coach Pat Fitzgerald. This is a big season for Schiano and the Knights, and they must start the season with a convincing win. Rutgers will achieve that and win by a score of 27-10."
Camden Markel, correspondent: "Rutgers will come out of the gates hot and start its season on the right foot. The defense will be stout as always, and Wimsatt will play with poise and confidence as the starting quarterback. That said, I do not expect many points to be scored in this game — the winning team could very well score less than 14 points. All in all, I believe the Knights' defense will stay strong, and the offense will do just enough to hold off Northwestern. Rutgers will win by a score of 20-13."
Eddie Kalegi, contributing writer: "The off-the-field offseason turmoil will motivate Northwestern to keep it close with Rutgers, but the Knights will secure their first Big Ten win of 2023 in the season-opener. Wimsatt will thrive as he truly takes on the starting quarterback job, and the defense will shine late to propel Rutgers to a much-needed season-opening victory. The Knights will win by a score of 20-14."
Alec Crouthamel, contributing writer: "I think the game will be very low-scoring as both teams have stronger defenses than offenses. Rutgers will most likely rely on the run game to propel its offense to score. It will be a closer game than most would expect, but the Knights have the edge on defense and will do just enough on offense to take the victory.
"Sophomore running back Samuel Brown V and senior running back Aaron Young will combine for more than 100 yards on the ground, and Wimsatt will make a couple of timely throws, allowing Rutgers to win the season-opener by a score of 17-13."
Jack Rabenhorst, contributing writer: "Rutgers will be looking to win its first game and get its season off to a good start. The Knights have started off hot in the past three seasons and will do so again against a scandal-ridden Northwestern team. I predict Rutgers to win by a score of 28-13."
Rutgers will face off against the Wildcats on Sunday at noon. The game will be nationally broadcasted on CBS and streamed on Paramount+. The game will also be broadcasted on WFAN and 88.7 WRSU-FM.
For more updates on the Rutgers football team, follow @TargumSports on Twitter.
