11/21/2020 football Edit

Preview: Rutgers Football set to take on Michigan in primetime matchup

Anthony Siciliano

TheKnightReport.Net

The Rutgers Football team is back home once more as they are set to welcome the Michigan Wolverines to town for another Big Ten Conference matchup.

Here's what you need to know about the game.

WHEN: Saturday at 7:30pm EST, B1G Network

WHO: Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Michigan Wolverines

WHERE: SHI Stadium - Piscataway, New Jersey

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PLAYERS TO WATCH:

WIDE RECEIVER RONNIE BELL

THE SKINNY: Ronnie Bell is one of the most experienced offensive players returning for the Michigan offense as he currently has 18 receptions, 325 passing yards, and 1 receiving touchdown so far this season. Bell has seen playing time since he stepped foot on the campus in Ann Arbor due to his ability to make plays after the catch. He has knack for making explosive plays and has the necessary body control to make tough catches through traffic or in 1-on-1 matchups.

LINEBACKER JOSH ROSS

THE SKINNY: Senior linebacker Josh Ross is force in the middle of the Michigan defense and has recorded 30 total tackles (15 solo, 15 assist) and 1 interception heading into week 5. Ross is a versatile defender who can play either the inside linebacker or outside linebacker. He plays from sideline to sideline in hunting ball carriers down. One thing Ross does really well is how discipline he is when seeing the play develop. He’s a jack of all trades and has a shot of finding a spot on an NFL roster next season.

DEFENSIVE BACK BRAD HAWKINS

THE SKINNY: The leader on the backend of the Wolverine defense is defensive back Brad Hawkins, who leads the team in tackles going into week 5 with 31 total tackles (19 solo, 12 assist). Hawkins is a rangy defensive back who has good field awareness in helping over the top in coverage. Fluid hips when transitioning into his breaks. Very solid defender when playing man coverage as the nickel defensive back. Hawkins is an aggressive player when making contact with ball carriers in the open field. His playmaking ability as a defender should make him a draftable player in the 2021 NFL draft.

RECORD LAST SEASON: 9-4 (6-3) / Wins against No. 12 Notre Dame, No. 15 Iowa and Indiana.

SERIES HISTORY: This will be the seventh time the two schools have met on the gridiron, with the Wolverines leading the series 5-1. The last time the Scarlet Knights beat the Wolverines was in 2014 when they won in Piscataway 26-24.