'Rutgers snaps its losing streak': Targum sports desk predicts Rutgers-Maryland game
The Rutgers football team will play its last regular season game of the year when it takes on Maryland this Saturday at SHI Stadium on Busch campus. The Scarlet Knights (6-5, 3-5) will look to end the season on a high note against the Terrapins (6-5, 3-5).
In anticipation of Saturday's game, here are The Daily Targum's score predictions and overall thoughts on how the contest will unfold.
Ellis Gordon, head sports editor
"Rutgers vs. Maryland has produced some wild games in its recent past, but I do not think this game will be one of them. Rutgers is too beat up to keep up with Maryland's high-octane offense. Junior running back Kyle Monangai will rush for over 80 yards and become the Knights' first 1,000-yard rusher since Jawan Jamison did it in 2012. Junior quarterback Gavin Wimsatt will have an OK day, throwing for one touchdown and one interception. Freshman receiver Ian Strong will also show out with a touchdown catch, but ultimately, the Terrapins will pull away in the fourth quarter and win 31-20."
Josh Meyers, associate sports editor
"Rutgers and Maryland will be coming into this game with matching records, but only one team will reach the seven-win mark. I think the Knights (will) play much more composed on offense than they have in recent weeks, but quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa's two touchdowns — one in the air and one on the run, along with two forced turnovers on defense — give the Terrapins a 27-17 win over the Knights."
Camden Markel, correspondent
"Rutgers has not looked good at all in its last two games. Maryland, though, put up a great fight against Michigan last weekend. This makes me lean (toward) Maryland, but surely that would be too easy, so I'm picking the Knights to win 23-16. Wimsatt accounts for two touchdowns."
Alec Crouthamel, contributing writer
"After a gauntlet of three top-tier defenses, Rutgers gets a bit of a break going up against a Maryland defense that isn't at the level of the Knights' previous three opponents. This opens up Rutgers' passing attack, while also struggling to contain a strong Terrapins passing game led by Taulia Tagovailoa. Junior defensive back Robert Longerbeam intercepts Tagovailoa in a key spot, and Kyle Monangai rushes for over 100 yards and a touchdown to eclipse 1,000 yards for the first time since 2012, and Rutgers snaps its losing streak, taking down Maryland 28-20."
Jack Rabenhorst, contributing writer
"Wimsatt throws for under 100 passing yards as Monangai has 75-plus on the ground. Rutgers wins a close one, 17-14."
Phil Jaccoma, contributing writer
"Rutgers is coming off a brutal three-game skid against some of the top-ranked teams in the Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights' offense, namely the run game, will look better against Maryland, despite the Terrapins holding Michigan to just 20 offensive points this past week. With injury concerns littering the Rutgers offense, the Terrapins get the edge in this one, 24-17."
Rutgers and Maryland will kick off at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at SHI Stadium in Piscataway. The game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network as well as 88.7 WRSU-FM.
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