Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey

2018 record: 1-11

Head coach: Chris Ash (fourth year, 8-31)

2019 record so far: 1-2

Record against Ohio State since 2010: 0-5

What’s happened so far in 2019: 

Rutgers had a bye week during Week 4. After looking sharp in a 48-21 win over Massachusetts in Week 1, the Scarlet Knights have allowed 60 points and scored only 16 total in two games since. They were shut out 30-0 against then-No. 20 Iowa in their second game and lost 30-14 to Boston College the following week. Senior quarterback McLane Carter, the Week 1 starter, has been out since midway through the second game due to concussion-like symptoms. This has prompted head coach Chris Ash to turn to sophomore Artur Sitkowski to throw the ball and lead the offense. 

Key offensive player:

Junior wide receiver Raheem Blackshear brings versatility to the Rutgers offense. Blackshear is No. 5 in the Big Ten with 255 total receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns on the season and two games with more than 125 receiving yards. However, Blackshear’s skills do not rely solely on catching the football. He led the team in rushing and receiving yards in 2018, with 586 rushing yards and 367 receiving yards and currently has 77 rushing yards this season. He was named to the Paul Hornung Award Watch List for the most versatile player in college football prior to the start of the season.

Key defensive player:

Junior linebacker Tyshon Fogg has proved to be a defensive force. He currently leads the team with 30 tackles and has been heavily relied upon by the Scarlet Knights after they lost two starting linebackers from 2018 in Deonte Roberts and Trevor Morris. Fogg’s 15 solo tackles are already more than his total a year ago, and his numbers will likely continue to increase.

Weaknesses:

The Scarlet Knights have the fewest first downs in the Big Ten with 11, due in part to their 30 percent third-down-conversion rate. Penalties have afflicted Rutgers so far, as it averages a conference high 80.3 penalty yards per game. Rutgers has turned the ball over eight times over its three games, with a minus-six turnover margin. Ball security and disciplined play will be important moving forward.