| Rutgers LB Khaseem Greene will have something to prove Saturday against Kent State. (US Presswire) |
Kent State (6-1, 4-0 MAC) at Rutgers (7-0, 4-0 Big East)
Preview: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN3)
Spread: Rutgers by 13.5
Watchability: Given the performance of MAC teams on the national stage this season, the Scarlet Knights could be in for a fight. This is one to at least keep an eye on the score.
Shining stars: Kent State -- RB Dri Archer. Easily the Golden Flashes' most dynamic player, Archer can do it all. He leads the team in rushing -- 68 carries, 687 yards, 10 touchdowns -- and is also the nation's top kick returner, averaging almost 48 yards a return with three scores. His ability to give Kent State a short field will come in handy against a stingy Rutgers defense. Rutgers -- LB Khaseem Greene. Fresh off being snubbed by the Butkus Award brass -- Greene wasn't one of 12 semifinalists -- the senior could come out with something to prove Saturday. The reigning Big East defensive player of the year, Greene is a speedy linebacker that makes plays all over the field.
Who could steal the show: Kent State -- RB Trayion Durham. Last week against Western Michigan, Durham rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown -- his sixth in the last four games. The Golden Flashes lean heavily on the run, so it wouldn't be unusual for Durham and Archer to see a lot of carries. Rutgers -- RB Jawan Jamison. The junior running back broke the 100-yard mark in the first five games, and he has a chance to do so again Saturday against a mediocre Kent State rush defense. With QB Gary Nova improving by the game, the Golden Flashes won't be able to pack the box and focus on stopping Jamison, giving him some extra room to run.
You going? Ranking the road trip: Should be a nice afternoon of football -- for a half or so.
Magic number for Kent State: 2. The Golden Flashes have lost just twice since October of last year. They are 10-2 in their last 12 games, falling to Kentucky and Temple in that span.
Magic number for Rutgers: 8. With a win Saturday, coach Kyle Flood would become the first coach in Rutgers football history to win his first eight games.
The game comes down to: Who can do what they do best. Kent State has a formidable rushing attack, but Rutgers has the third-best rush defense in the country. Something has to give.
Prediction: Rutgers 38, Kent State 21
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