'It's corn! But Rutgers has the juice this time': Targum predicts Rutgers-Nebraska game

Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, "Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you're a thousand miles from the corn field."

Eisenhower did not, though, mention how the Rutgers football game versus Nebraska would look when you are a journalist with a computer, and you are 1,300 miles away from Lincoln, Nebraska. While The Daily Targum isn't quite sure, we gave our predictions for the game below.

Josh Meyers, head sports editor:

"Despite the victory, the Rutgers football team arguably got a little lucky last week against Washington. It was a good team win, but one that came with a lot of costly Huskies mistakes. I don't think Nebraska will be as faulty on its home turf on Saturday."

"Greg Schiano praised quarterback Dylan Raiola all week and the Patrick Mahomes look-alike will not disappoint with 275-plus passing yards and two touchdowns, with one of them being caught by Jahmal Banks. Nebraska's defense will force two turnovers and sack senior quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis at least three times on its way to a victory. Cornhuskers take the victory 27-16."

Camden Markel, associate sports editor:

"A win here would be monumental for Rutgers. In recent years, the Scarlet Knights have had a dominant defense that kept them in games, paired with a shaky offense. This year, the defense seems to be the side of the ball not holding up its end of the bargain. Rutgers desperately needs to get some pressure on Nebraska's Dylan Raiola, otherwise he may tear the defense apart. I think the Knights have had luck on their side in the past two weeks, as they didn't fully play up to their potential but still walked away with two big wins. I'm not sure the 50-50 balls, or calls, go their way this week."

"Raiola throws for at least two touchdowns while finishing with more than 280 yards through the air. For Rutgers, if it can be in a tight game or even have the lead going into the fourth quarter, then I think senior running back Kyle Monangai will gash the Cornhusker defense as they continue to get worn down late in the game. But ultimately, I foresee the Knights playing from behind and Monangai finishing with less than 100 yards on the ground. Nebraska wins 27-17."

Matthew Mangam, associate sports editor:

"It's corn! But Rutgers has the juice this time. The Scarlet Knights walk it off in Lincoln on a junior placekicker Jai Patel field goal to win it 24-23. This game goes down as an all-time classic."

"Kaliakmanis will throw an interception. Sophomore wide receiver Ian Strong grabs a touchdown."

Brian Delk, editor-in-chief: 

"The Knights have been nonstop this season, and Nebraska will be a formidable opponent on the road. But who says good things have to come to an end? Junior running back Samuel Brown V will run for more than 50 yards, and his fellow running back Monangai will get at least 100 yards on the ground. It will be a hard-fought win for the Knights over the Cornhuskers, 28-14."

Evan Leong, head photo editor:

"The Scarlet Knights will have their hands full containing a tough Nebraska team in Lincoln. Nebraska's true freshman quarterback Raiola has been excellent to start the season, and the Cornhuskers' defense has held Colorado's and Purdue's offenses to just 10 points each."

"On the Rutgers side, Brown has scored in each of the Knights' last two games. His bruising style looks like an excellent complement to star running back Monangai's patient, yet explosive approach. I predict both backs to score a touchdown, but Rutgers' defense won't be able to stop Raiola and the Huskers' offense. Nebraska will pull away with a 27-17 victory."

Philip Jaccoma, correspondent: 

"Nebraska wins 28-20. The shaky Rutgers defense will have a poor game in Lincoln and Raiola will pick them apart for more than 250 yards. The Knights offense will still have life thanks to Monangai going for more than 100 yards and one touchdown, but it won't be enough as they lose their first of the season. Also, I'm not a fan of the Cornhuskers’ special teams unit, so don't expect any field goals for them."

James Mertz, contributing writer:

"Rutgers wins 23-17. The Scarlet Knights were dominated last week vs. Washington, yet still pulled out a victory. This week will be even tougher going to Lincoln to play the Nebraska Cornhuskers."

"The defense will need to step up after giving up more than 500 total yards last week. But I believe the coaching staff will be able to scheme up a game plan to make Raiola uncomfortable."

"On the offensive side of the ball, Kaliakmanis is ready to attack an environment as hostile as the one in Nebraska. He'll go for 200 passing yards and Monangai will be steady as always, punching in two touchdowns. The Knights will march home to Piscataway an undefeated 5-0."

Nicholas Hart, contributing writer: 

"Nebraska is going to be a tough challenge for Rutgers, which has yet to beat the Cornhuskers in through five matchups. Being on the road and the game being a homecoming game both are not favorable to the Knights. Kaliakmanis and the offensive line will have to be at their best against a defensive front that has produced 16 sacks this season."

"With the way Kaliakmanis has played so far this year, I say he has more than 175 passing yards and one touchdown pass on Saturday. Between Monangai and Brown, I believe the duo will rush for more than 200 yards combined, with Brown reaching the endzone once for the Knights. With that, I think Rutgers loses its first game of the year in a 24-14 game."

Jonathan Vasquez, contributing writer:

"Closest game so far, the spread is -7 for Nebraska, I think Rutgers covers the spread and wins this close game. Two turnovers will be forced by the Knights' defense, with 20-17 as the final score. Athan will throw one touchdown pass and Brown will notch one touchdown rush. Monangai will not score this game. Patel will make two field goals. The Rutgers defense keeps Raiola to less than 200 yards. Need a miracle but I'm hoping for the upset in Nebraska."

Lucas Tang, contributing writer: 

"Rutgers defeats Nebraska 30-27 in a nailbiter. This looks to be Rutgers' toughest opponent this season as Nebraska quarterback Raiola has led the Cornhuskers to an impressive 4-1 start. I think Rutgers will heavily rely on its run game to get the victory and extend the undefeated start to the season. Scarlet Knights running backs Monangai and Brown will find the endzone. I also predict Strong to have more than four receptions and score a touchdown.”

The Scarlet Knights (4-0, 1-0) and the Cornhuskers (4-1, 1-1) will kick off their matchup at 4 p.m. and will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 and 88.7 WRSU-FM.