Rutgers’ hopes of a BCS bowl berth all but went down the tube after consecutive losses to Maryland and Cincinnati at home.  However, the Scarlet clad sirs of Northern New Jersey made up for it by knocking off then #2 South Florida a week ago, opening up the National Title chase, and the Big East race.  Ray Rice is the unquestioned work horse for Rutgers and his success on the field often relates to their success on the scoreboard.  Rice is the only running back in the last two seasons to go over 100 yards rushing against South Florida and has arguably been the most productive back in the Big East.  

Rutgers’ success lies heavily on the productivity of Rice.  In their two losses this season Rice was held under the 100-yard mark.  Since those losses, Rice has run for 196 and 181 yards respectively against Syracuse and South Florida, both victories.  The only other game this season in which Rice has been held under 100 yards is against Norfolk State in which he saw limited action, carrying the ball only 12 times. 

Rice is the set-up man for talented quarterback Mike Teel.  Teel has struggled with consistency the last two seasons and enters the game against West Virginia with a few nagging injuries including a bruise on his non-throwing hand.  However, Teel has seemed to come out of his shell so far this season, having his most productive campaign of his career.  The quarterback has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards, and is only 139 yards away from surpassing his total from a year ago.  Teel has made defenses look stupid in games this season, but not without the help of some talented wide receivers.

Tiquan Underwood and Kenny Britt are two talented flankers for the Scarlet Knights.  Both have seen their fair share of tosses come their way and rarely do they squander an opportunity for a big play.  In last week’s game against South Florida, Underwood made perhaps the play of the game taking a Teel pass in the middle of the field, breaking it outside and down the sideline for a touchdown.  Underwood has only been held under 100 yards receiving twice this season, and went for nearly 250 yards against Buffalo.

Rutgers doesn’t do it all with offense though.  Their defense has thrived off of creating pressure in the backfield and forcing mistakes by the opposition.  Defensive linemen Eric Foster, Jamaal Westerman, and Pete Tverdov lead a solid line that lacks girth but makes up for it with toughness.  The secondary is led by the McCourty twins who have tremendous athleticism and vision on the field. 

Despite their affinity for pressure in the backfield, the Rutgers defense only ranks 44^th nationally in rush defense, but in the top ten in sacks.  The pass defense, like West Virginia’s, has been a rock this season ranking 7^th in the nation only giving up 170 yards per game.  Rutgers ranks  22^nd in scoring defense and 17^th in total defense.       Saturday’s game could be a defensive battle as the Mountaineers rank 12^th in rush defense, 5^th in pass defense, 10^th in scoring defense, and 4^th  in total defense; a dramatic change for the Mountaineers from a year ago.

Rutgers has had limited success against the Mountaineers and have not beaten WVU in their last 12 attempts.  Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has also never beaten the Mountaineers and suffered an 80-7 defeat against WVU in his first season at Rutgers.  He will hoping to turn the tide and gain a victory Saturday in a game that not only has conference title implications, but BCS and National Title implications as well.

Saturday’s game is scheduled for 12 P.M. and will be televised by ABC.

Prediction: WVU – 31 Rutgers – 17