Rutgers Scarlet Knights -14 vs. Syracuse Orange

Following their slow start, momentum is building for Rutgers this season.  Side with the Scarlet Knights at home minus the points against the Syracuse Orange on Saturday.

A rebuilding Rutgers (3-5) started out their current campaign very slowly, but as the season has progressed they have begun to jell as was evident in their last trip to the gridiron when they cold-cocked the inconsistent Pittsburgh Panthers by a lopsided 54-34 count.

The Scarlet Knights are well rested and off a bye week, are now riding a two-game winning streak and will be ready to continue their positive momentum vs a Syracuse Orange (2-6) side that has allowed 33.1 PPG and 427 total YPG in 2008. The saving grace for the Orange this season has been their offense; however, against a Rutgers side that is holding opponents to 347.2 total YPG, and just 19.5 PPG at home in Piscataway, putting points on the board will not come easily for Syracuse.

What I am betting will happen: Look for Rutgers QB Mike Teel, who passed for 361 yards and six TDs last time out, to come out firing with a merciless aerial assault against an Orange secondary that has been ripped for 224 passing yards per game. On defense, I expect the Scarlet Knights to use a variation of the nickel defense and stack the box to key on stopping the Orange's most reliable mode of moving the chains, RB Curtis Brinkley. This combination will progressively lead to this contest ending in a one-sided decision for the home team.

Final Notes & Key Trends: Syracuse is 16-31 ATS in their last 47 as a road underdog, losing SU by an average of 18.6 PPG.

Projected score: Rutgers-37 Syracuse-14

Free Pick: Rutgers -14 (-110)