Rutgers 2016 Season Game 5: Ohio State

                                                                                                        (AP Photo)

WHO: Rutgers (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) at No. 2 Ohio State (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten)

WHEN: Saturday at noon ET

WHERE: Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio; Big Ten Network (TV); WCTC 1450-AM, WEPN 98.7-FM, WENJ 97.3-FM, WNJE 920-AM (Radio)

COACHES: Rutgers: Chris Ash (first season, 2-2); Ohio State: Urban Meyer (fifth season, 53-4)

SERIES: Ohio State blew out Rutgers in both previous meetings in 2014 (56-17) and 2015 (49-7).

LAST WEEK: Rutgers lost at home to Iowa, 14-7. Ohio State had its bye week.

RUTGERS WINS IF: The Scarlet Knights' defense plays stiffs in the red zone and generates multiple turnovers in Buckeyes territory. Rutgers is averaging only one forced turnover per game and has accumulated only three points off turnovers. But the pass defense and tackling have improved each week. Fifth-year linemen Darius Hamilton and Julian Pinnix-Odrick will need to go bonkers and provide QB Chris Laviano's troops a hefty supply of life support.

OHIO STATE WINS IF: The Buckeyes' rushing attack dictates the afternoon. Junior J.T. Barrett is a full-fledged wizard these days operating Ohio State's zone read. He and running backs Mike Weber and Curtis Samuel torched Oklahoma for 291 rushing yards two weeks ago. Albeit in nonconference action, Ohio State far and away leads the Big Ten with 306 rushing yards per game. The Homecoming formula is simple.

EXTRA POINTS: Rutgers hasn't defeated a ranked opponent since 2009 at No. 23/24 USF. It lost to then-No. 14 Washington in the season opener. ... Rutgers' Chris Ash is the 14th former assistant of Urban Meyer to become a head coach. Meyer is 6-1 against such coaches. ... Ohio State gained a school-record 776 yards in its season opener against Bowling Green. ... First-year Buckeyes defensive coordinator Greg Schiano compiled a 68-67 record with five bowl victories at Rutgers' helm from 2001-11.

PREDICTION: Ohio State 38, Rutgers 10

Game week stories

Noah Brown the latest New Jersey product to star at Ohio State

Ex-Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano set to face Scarlet Knights for first time with Ohio State

Rutgers players vow to move on from two season-ending injuries

Got a comment or feedback? You can tweet me @gregp_j or email gjohnson@trentonian.com. Enjoy Chris Ash's Ohio State Homecoming.

— Greg Johnson

Rutgers 2016 Season Game 4: Iowa

                                                                   (John Blaine — For The Trentonian)

WHO: Iowa (2-1, 0-0) at Rutgers (2-1, 0-0)

WHEN: Saturday at noon ET

WHERE: High Point Solutions Stadium; ESPN2 (TV)

COACHES: Iowa: Kirk Ferentz (18th season, 129-88); Rutgers: Chris Ash (first season, 2-1)

SERIES: This marks the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

LAST WEEK: Rutgers dug itself out of another first-quarter hole, beating New Mexico, 37-28. Iowa was upset by five-time reigning FCS champion North Dakota State on a last-minute field goal, 23-21.

RUTGERS WINS IF: The Scarlet Knights' offense gets in rhythm early. No, we're serious this time. Rutgers' opening series in three games so far: three-and-out, interception, three-and-out. First quarter deficits: 24-0, 14-7, 21-7. Suffice to say, that won't cut it against the reigning Big Ten West champion. Will Rutgers take more shots downfield? Establishing manageable third downs for junior QB Chris Laviano, who might be playing for his job Saturday, is key. And then dominoes in all other phases must align.

IOWA WINS IF: The Hawkeyes control the ground game. Without two starting interior linemen against NDSU, Iowa uncharacteristically rushed for 34 net yards after compiling 410 in their first two contests. James Daniels (C) and Sean Welsh (RG) are both expected back this week. Either way, should the Hawkeyes return to their smash-mouth ways, it will likely be a laborious afternoon in Piscataway for the home team.

EXTRA POINTS: With his special teams score last week, senior Janarion Grant is now tied for first in FBS history with eight career kick return touchdowns. ... Rutgers is 0-4 all-time against teams in the Big Ten West Division. ... Iowa's leading tackler, Ben Niemann, is the son of Rutgers defensive coordinator Jay Niemann. ... The Hawkeyes have won eight straight Big Ten regular season games, their last loss coming Nov. 28, 2014 against Nebraska.

PREDICTION: Iowa 38, Rutgers 17

Game week stories

Feature: Rutgers' Chris Laviano faces pivotal moment in Big Ten opener

Film Review: Examining Rutgers' defense against New Mexico with Big Ten play looming

Feature: As Iowa game week commences, a rundown of Rutgers' coaching ties to the state

Got a comment or feedback? You can tweet me @gregp_j or email gjohnson@trentonian.com. Enjoy the beginning of Big Ten season.

— Greg Johnson

Rutgers 2016 Season Game 3: New Mexico

                                                                                                        (AP Photo)

WHO: New Mexico (1-1, 0-0) at Rutgers (1-1, 0-0)

WHEN: Saturday at noon ET

WHERE: High Point Solutions Stadium; ESPNews (TV); 710-AM, 1450-AM, 97.3-FM, 920-AM (Radio)

COACHES: New Mexico: Bob Davie (fifth season, 19-33); Rutgers: Chris Ash (first season, 1-1)

SERIES: This marks the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

LAST WEEK: After falling behind two touchdowns, Rutgers rallied past Howard to win its home opener, 52-14. New Mexico lost by one point on a touchdown late in the fourth quarter at in-state rival New Mexico State.

RUTGERS WINS IF: The Scarlet Knights show improved leverage in their perimeter defense. An undermanned FCS school just came into Piscataway and lit up Rutgers with a few big plays on the outside. You can bet New Mexico’s triple option pistol offense will test the Knights in space early and often. Rutgers can’t afford to nosedive in the first quarter again.

NEW MEXICO WINS IF: The Lobos dictate the line of scrimmage. New Mexico is speedy and physical on both sides up front. Washington State QB transfer Austin Apodaca orchestrates an exotic offense. Lineman Garrett Hughes leads an odd man defensive front that has generated eight sacks in two games.

EXTRA POINTS: Rutgers has won 12 of its last 15 games against nonconference schools. ... The Scarlet Knights are 2-4 all-time against current Mountain West opponents. ... This will be New Mexico head coach Bob Davie’s second visit to Piscataway. The former Notre Dame head coach guided the Irish to a 45-17 victory against Rutgers on Nov. 18, 2000. ... The Lobos have no players from New Jersey on their roster.

PREDICTION: Rutgers 34, New Mexico 24

Game week stories

Preview: Rutgers emphasizes tackling, reading keys against New Mexico's triple option pistol offense

Film Review: Analyzing Rutgers' run game, zone read against Howard

Notebook: Rutgers' Robert Martin, Jawuan Harris to start; Janarion Grant named Special Teams Player of the Week

Got a comment or feedback? You can tweet me @gregp_j or email gjohnson@trentonian.com. Enjoy Rutgers' final nonconference game before Big Ten action commences.

— Greg Johnson

Rutgers 2016 Season Game 2: Howard

                                                                                                        (AP Photo)

WHO: Howard (0-1, 0-0) at Rutgers (0-1, 0-0)

WHEN: Saturday at noon ET on Big Ten Network, High Point Solutions Stadium

COACHES: Howard: Gary Harrell (fifth season, 18-28). Rutgers: Chris Ash (first season, 0-1).

SERIES: The teams play for the fifth time in an all-time series Rutgers leads, 4-0. The Scarlet Knights have won those games by a combined score of 165-39. The last encounter was in the 2014 home opener, a 38-25 Rutgers victory.

LAST WEEK: Rutgers lost its opener at then-No. 14 Washington, 48-13, in Chris Ash’s head coaching debut. Howard fell at Maryland, Rutgers’ Big Ten rival, by the count of 52-13.

RUTGERS WINS IF: The Knights play relatively cleanly in all three phases. Rutgers turned it over three times last Saturday, twice via fumble, and yielded two touchdowns on special teams. With a few early scores and better field position for the defense, Rutgers will roll over its FCS foe. Depth is the difference in what will likely be a steamy afternoon in Piscataway.

HOWARD WINS IF: They play like the Green Bay Packers. Rutgers offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer said Monday that the Knights are treating Howard as such. Coach-speak aside, the Bison need their two-quarterback system to thrive against Rutgers’ growing secondary, absurdly good field position throughout and a perfect storm in all three phases.

EXTRA POINTS: Rutgers students in attendance will have the opportunity to win a share of $100,000. If the Knights return their opening kickoff for a touchdown, 100 students will be selected to each take home $1,000. ... Howard’s Chris Aikins, a junior defensive back, is a New Brunswick native and attended First Colonial High School.

PREDICTION: Rutgers 40, Howard 17

Game week stories

After humbling loss in Seattle opener, Rutgers needs emphatic win over Howard

A look at how Janarion Grant was utilized offensively in Rutgers' season opener

Despite blowout loss, Rutgers' Darius Hamilton plays at 'championship-caliber level' against Washington

Got a comment or feedback? You can tweet me @gregp_j or email gjohnson@trentonian.com. Enjoy Chris Ash's debut at High Point Solutions Stadium.

— Greg Johnson

Rutgers football 2016 Big Ten season preview hub

                                                                                                        (AP Photo)

Enter Year 3 in the Big Ten. Rutgers' opener at Washington is less than 24 hours away. Below are your season preview essentials for everything Rutgers and Big Ten from The Trentonian.

After nine months of anticipation, Chris Ash Era set to commence at Rutgers

Rutgers treks nearly 3,000 miles to face No. 14 Washington

Team-by-team previews in the Big Ten's East and West Divisions

Got a comment or feedback? You can tweet me @gregp_j or email gjohnson@trentonian.com. Enjoy the first Saturday of college football.

— Greg Johnson