Rutgers Football vs. UCLA Prediction, Preview, Scouting Report

PISCATAWAY – There were high expectations for Rutgers Football’s defense early in the season.

The majority of the Scarlet Knights’ impact players on that side of the ball returned. The younger players who provided depth were another year older and had crucial playing experience. And Joe Harasymiak was back for a third season as defensive coordinator to provide continuity.

But injuries, particularly the season-ending injury to linebacker Mohamed Touré, took their toll.

Overall, Rutgers’ defense was inconsistent.

That was particularly true in the Scarlet Knights’ loss to Wisconsin last week, but now Harasymiak’s unit has extra motivation to bounce back Saturday against UCLA at SHI Stadium.

“Absolutely,” cornerback Al-Shadee Salaam said. “One hundred percent. We knew we were better than that and we didn’t really want to put that on film, but we’re going to come back harder.”

Rutgers is ranked 74th^Th in the nation in total defense, allowing 369.8 yards per game. His pass defense was solid, ranking seventh in the Big Ten with 187.0 yards per game. But the Scarlet Knights’ run defense was disappointing, ranking second to last in the Big Ten with 182.8 yards allowed per contest.

This could be a good match for Rutgers – UCLA is ranked 130th^Th in the country total offense with 272.8 yards per game.

At least on paper, the Scarlet Knights should have an advantage.

“We’re just ready to work every day,” Salaam said. “We come out with the same mindset, whether we win or lose a week, that we have to dominate every day.”

Rutgers Football vs. UCLA

Date: Saturday, October 19th

Time: Midday

TV: FS1

Guy Haberman will be there for play-by-play along with analyst Yogi Roth, while Rhett Lewis will report from the sidelines.

Streaming: Fubo (free trial), FOX Sports app

Watch Rutgers vs. UCLA Football on Fubo (Free Trial)

Radio: WFAN 660 AM/101.9 FM, FOX Sports New Jersey 93.5 FM/1450 AM, SiriusXM 162/196

Chris Carlin will be on site for play-by-play with analysts Mike Teel and Eric LeGrand, while Anthony Fucilli will report from the sidelines.

Series history: This will be the first meeting between Rutgers and UCLA.

Weather: It will be a warm day in Piscataway. The forecast calls for highs of 75 degrees and lots of sunshine. Winds are blowing from the east at 4 miles per hour.

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UCLA players to watch against Rutgers

Kain Medrano, linebacker

The 1.90 meter tall, 110 kilogram Medrano is one of the Bruins’ best defensive players. In six games this season, he had 33 tackles (five for a loss). He finished last season with 56 tackles (seven for a loss).

Carson Schwesinger, linebacker

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Schwesinger leads the Big Ten in tackles with 62 (6.5 for loss) and two sacks, both of which came Saturday against Minnesota. He has four games with double-digit tackles this season, including 15 against Penn State.

Jalen Berger, running back

If this name sounds familiar, it should. Berger is a Catholic native who began his college career at Wisconsin before transferring to Michigan State and now UCLA. The 1.90 meter tall, 100 kilogram Berger has 99 rushing yards on 25 carries this season. He also caught five passes for 26 yards.

Rutgers players vs. UCLA to watch

Dymere Miller, wide receiver

This could be a great opportunity for Rutgers to get its passing game back on track. UCLA allows 265.7 passing yards per game, the worst number in the Big Ten and tied with 115^Th in the country. Miller, who has 21 catches for 279 yards and a touchdown as the team’s leading receiver this season, could be a weapon of choice on Saturday.

Running back Antwan Raymond

Well, the one-two against Kyle Monangai and Sam Brown is over, as Brown will miss the rest of the season with a lower-body injury. Therefore, Raymond must step in to fill the void. He’s a true freshman who showed some good things early in the season (he rushed for 137 yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns), but Schiano pointed out Wednesday that those opportunities usually only come in games against Howard and Akron revealed late. The Big Ten defense is a completely different animal. We’ll see what Raymond can do in a moment.

Athan Kaliakmanis, quarterback

I might as well stick to offense in this section. Rutgers needs Kaliakmanis to bounce back from a tough performance against Wisconsin. Again, facing one of the worst pass defenses in the country could be just what he needs to get back in shape and into a rhythm. Without better quarterback play, the Scarlet Knights can’t turn things around this season. This has to start on Saturday.

Three questions facing Rutgers football against UCLA

1. Who will be available?

Rutgers is devastated. They were already without linebacker Mohamed Toure and left guard Bryan Felter in the season before the Wisconsin game. Then defensive end Aaron Lewis, tight end Kenny Fletcher and running back Sam Brown left the game with apparent injuries. Cornerback Robert Longerbeam and linebacker Tyreem Powell were listed as OUT on the availability report. We know Brown is out for the season, but everyone else’s status for the UCLA game is unclear. Schiano relies on the availability report that was published two hours before kick-off.

2. How good is UCLA anyway?

Schiano mentioned it Monday: Don’t let the Bruins’ 1-5 record fool you. There are no questions that UCLA has struggled with. But there’s also no question that the Bruins have run an absolute gauntlet with games against Oregon, LSU, Penn State and Indiana. UCLA’s offense was among the worst in the country and its defense wasn’t much better. But how much of that is due to who the Bruins played? They almost beat Minnesota in their last game but couldn’t get it done. Making a trip across the country and playing at noon won’t be easy for the Bruins. Still, don’t be surprised if they put up a good fight.

3. Can Rutgers’ offensive line find its footing again?

The Scarlet Knights’ O-line had been playing well, but the loss of Bryan Felter to a season-ending injury wiped out much of that consistency. Taj White, a left tackle, moved to guard to replace Felter, but the line needs to be better overall, especially in pass protection. UCLA has a strong, big, physical defensive front that will pose a challenge for Rutgers.

Rutgers Football vs. UCLA Prediction

This probably won’t be as easy a game for Rutgers as people think. UCLA gave Minnesota a good fight and the Golden Gophers beat Southern California the previous week. Anything can happen in the Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights need to get their running game going early and allow that to set up the pass. Rutgers’ defense is banged up but should still be able to limit a fairly lackluster offense. Rutgers 24, UCLA 17

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Rutgers Football vs. UCLA Prediction, Preview, Scouting Report

Rutgers Football vs. UCLA

UCLA players to watch against Rutgers

Kain Medrano, linebacker

Carson Schwesinger, linebacker

Jalen Berger, running back

Rutgers players vs. UCLA to watch

Dymere Miller, wide receiver

Running back Antwan Raymond

Athan Kaliakmanis, quarterback

Three questions facing Rutgers football against UCLA

Rutgers Football vs. UCLA Prediction

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Rutgers Football vs. UCLA Prediction, Preview, Scouting Report

Rutgers Football vs. UCLA

UCLA players to watch against Rutgers

Kain Medrano, linebacker

Carson Schwesinger, linebacker

Jalen Berger, running back

Rutgers players vs. UCLA to watch

Dymere Miller, wide receiver

Running back Antwan Raymond

Athan Kaliakmanis, quarterback

Three questions facing Rutgers football against UCLA

Rutgers Football vs. UCLA Prediction

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