'Penn State will annihilate Rutgers': Targum gives predictions for Rutgers-Penn State game
The Rutgers football team will face Penn State at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. The Scarlet Knights (6-4, 3-4) will attempt to get their first win over the Nittany Lions (8-2, 5-2) since joining the Big Ten.
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 is going to struggle against Penn State. The Knights seemed worn out and tired with their 22-0 loss to Iowa, and the Nittany Lions have a better offense and defense than the Hawkeyes (8-2, 5-2). Rutgers may also be missing key offensive pieces as junior running back Kyle Monangai and senior wide receiver JaQuae Jackson had to leave the Knights' last game due to separate injuries.
"With this, junior quarterback Gavin Wimsatt will throw for less than 60 yards and rush for less than 50 yards. Rutgers will keep the game close in the first half, but Penn State will pull away in the second half and win 35-13."
Josh Meyers, associate sports editor: "Rutgers is coming off of a shutout loss to Iowa where its offense could not get anything going and its defense got outworked. I do not see that changing against Penn State.
"The Nittany Lions will be looking to bounce back after a tough loss to Michigan, and that is exactly what they will do. Penn State will dominate the ground game with more than 200 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. The Nittany Lions defense will force two turnovers and sack Wimsatt twice on the way to a 27-13 victory over the Knights."
Camden Markel, correspondent: "Rutgers will bounce back offensively from its bad loss to Iowa, but it will not be enough to beat Penn State on the road. Monangai will play and rush for more than 75 yards, and Wimsatt will account for two total touchdowns as the Nittany Lions get the 35-17 win."
Matthew Mangam, correspondent: "Rutgers is coming off of a tough 22-0 loss to Iowa. The Knights have historically struggled against Penn State, and their struggles will continue as the Nittany Lions win 31-15."
Uriel Isaacs, associate news editor: "It is best to avoid watching this game as Penn State will annihilate Rutgers. It will be another week of non-competitive Knights football as the Nittany Lions win 49-3."
Alec Crouthamel, contributing writer: "This game in 'Happy Valley' should be another ugly contest as both teams are coming into this match reeling. It will be another low-scoring affair, but Penn State will pull through thanks to its better talent on both offense and defense.
"While it will be a closer game than last weekend's matchup against Iowa, the Nittany Lions keep the game at arm's length without ever truly pulling away. Penn State wins 24-10."
Philip Jaccoma, contributing writer: "Monangai will play and rush for more than 80 yards after struggling and getting injured last week. Rutgers' defense will help keep the game close in the first half, but expect a similar game script to the Ohio State loss two weeks ago because Penn State will pull away in the second half. The Nittany Lions win 27-16."
Jack Rabenhorst, contributing writer: "Penn State rolls Rutgers by a score of 35-10."
Jonathan Vasquez, contributing writer: "Rutgers versus Penn State is always a battle. The Knights will score two touchdowns, as Monangai will rush for more than 100 yards and score a touchdown, and the other touchdown will be caught by senior wide receiver Christian Dremel. Wimsatt will throw more passes than head coach Greg Schiano will want him to, and he will get picked off once.
"The Nittany Lions still have a capable quarterback in Drew Allar despite his struggles against Michigan. Allar has thrown for 21 touchdowns and only one interception this season. At halftime, Rutgers will be leading 14-10, but Penn State will ultimately come out with the 35-20 victory."
Andrew Rice, contributing writer: "Penn State has never been a fun matchup for Rutgers. Though the Nittany Lions have struggled on offense at times, they will control the game again. The Knights will make the contest closer than in previous years, but Penn State will win 35-14."
Rutgers will go up against No. 12 Penn State at noon on Saturday. The game will be televised on Fox Sports 1 and broadcast on 88.7 WRSU-FM and WFAN.
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