Rutgers 2016 Season Game 11: Penn State

                                                                                       (AP Photo)

WHO: No. 9 Penn State (8-2, 6-1) at Rutgers (2-8, 0-7 Big Ten)

WHEN: Saturday at 8 p.m. ET

WHERE: High Point Solutions Stadium; Big Ten Network (TV); WOR 710AM, WCTC, 1450AM, WENJ 97.3FM, WNJE 920AM, WRSU 88.7FM (Radio)

COACHES: Rutgers: Chris Ash (first season, 2-8); Penn State: James Franklin (third season, 22-14)

SERIES: This marks the 27th all-time meeting between the schools and the third since Rutgers joined the Big Ten in 2014. Penn State leads the series, 24-2, and won the first two Big Ten matchups. The 2014 primetime contest set the High Point Solutions Stadium attendance record at 53,774.

LAST WEEK: Rutgers lost at Michigan State, 49-0. Penn State won at Indiana, 45-31.

RUTGERS WINS IF: The Scarlet Knights limit running back Saquon Barkley in the trenches and receive a career performance from quarterback Gio Rescigno. Barkley ignites Penn State’s offense, totaling six touchdowns over the past three weeks against Purdue, Iowa and Indiana. The two times Rutgers held a Big Ten opponent to fewer than 200 yards rushing yards (Iowa, Indiana), it lost by a touchdown a less. Meanwhile, Rescigno must rebound at home after Michigan State negated Rutgers’ zone-read scheme and forced the junior (6-for-16 passing, 40 yards, two interceptions) to become one-dimensional.

PENN STATE WINS IF: The Nittany Lions’ defensive line dictates the evening. Penn State leads the Big Ten in sacks (26) and is third in opponent third-down conversion rate (31.5 percent). Defensive end Garrett Sickels leads the front seven with six sacks and 10.5 tackles-for-loss. Displacing a struggling Rutgers offensive line is the blueprint for success on the road. Rutgers is 4-for-28 on third downs over the last two weeks.

EXTRA POINTS: Rutgers will honor 17 seniors in a pregame ceremony for Senior Day: WR Carlton Agudosi, TE Nick Arcidiacono, DB Anthony Cioffi, OL J.J. Denman, P Tim Gleeson, RB Justin Goodwin, DL Darius Hamilton, LB Isaiah Johnson,LB Greg Jones, DL Quanzell Lambert, LB Kevin Marquez, WR Vance Matthews, OL Chris Muller, OL Derrick Nelson, DB Marcus Parker, WR Andre Patton and DL Julian Pinnix-Odrick. ... This marks Penn State’s fifth visit to Piscataway (2014, 1955, 1953, 1951). ... The Nittany Lions have 19 players from New Jersey on their roster, including Hun School alum and Hamilton native Wendy Laurent.

PREDICTION: Penn State 34, Rutgers 17

Game week stories

Rutgers to host Saquon Barkley, Penn State in primetime on Senior Day

Anthony Cioffi exemplifies durability, perseverance during Rutgers career

Uncertainty surrounding Janarion Grant's Rutgers future swirls

Got a comment or feedback? You can tweet me @gregp_j or email gjohnson@trentonian.com.

— Greg Johnson