Maryland football is back inside SECU Stadium this weekend to host Rutgers in a game of two teams still working toward securing bowl eligibility. Maryland has won its last three vs. Rutgers and five of their last six as they remain a near-touchdown favorite on the sportsbooks. But how do the two teams stack up? To learn more, we spoke with Josh Meyers from The Daily Targum in the latest edition of behind enemy lines.
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IBG: What’s the vibe around RB Kyle Monangai’s status for this upcoming weekend? And how would you assess the rest of the RB room if he can’t go?
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Before the Minnesota game, Monangai had said that he expects to suit you. But during the post-game press conference after the Minnesota game, Greg Schiano said that he had to save Monangai from himself. So even though Monangai wanted to play, the coaching staff didn’t think he was healthy enough to suit up. With another week of rest and given how important the Maryland game is to Rutgers’ run at a bowl game, I’d expect Monangai to play. But if he can’t go, expect to see a lot of Antwan Raymond and Ja’Shon Benjamin who combined for 139 rushing yards last weekend.
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IBG: QB Athan Kaliakmanis led the offense to get revenge against his former team this weekend. What was learned about Rutgers’ passing attack in the win vs. Minnesota?
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Athan Kaliakmanis is the most consistent passer in Greg Schiano’s second term as Rutgers football’s head coach. Fans have felt pretty comfortable with him in the pocket. And as he has gained more chemistry with his receivers over the season, it has done wonders for the Rutgers offense. K.J. Duff showed off a lot of potential against Minnesota with big catches. He and Ian Strong are very similar - two wide receivers with big play ability and large catch radiuses. Those two, along with Dymere Miller, have greatly boosted Rutgers’ offense, and that solid passing attack is something foreign to Rutgers in recent years.
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IBG: In your words, what’s the biggest strength and weakness about the Rutgers’ defense?
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I’d say Rutgers’ biggest strength is playing as a unit. When they play as a unit, like we saw specifically against Virginia Tech, Washington, and Minnesota, the sky is the limit. Injuries, up front and in the secondary, though, really hurt them in the Scarlet Knights four-game losing streak. Guys who weren’t as familiar with playing in Big Ten battles were receiving snaps in big positions and there was no chemistry in the defense. Their biggest weakness during that stretch, and during the course of the season, has been their inability to tackle. Often you see a running back or receiver get more yards after the carry then they really should be getting it Rutgers made its initial tackles.
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IBG: Rutgers will win this weekend if…
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Rutgers will win this weekend if its defense plays consistent and as one throughout all four quarters. If the Scarlet Knights can hold Maryland to under 20 points, then their efficient offense should be able to carry them the rest of the way.
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IBG: Score & prediction
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Rutgers hasn’t fared very well against Maryland in recent history. While I do think Rutgers will win one of its next 3 games to make a bowl game for the second-straight year, I don’t think that win is coming on the road against an opponent who has had the Scarlet Knights number as of late. I’ll say Maryland 27 Rutgers 20.
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