Rutgers (5-4) at Army (3-6): One-time Heisman trophy candidate Ray Rice must be licking his chops for tonight's game. Rutgers' junior running back has rushed for 1,257 yards and 14 TDs this season, averaging 4.9 yards per carry, and he gets to face an Army defense that is ranked 109th in rush defense, allowing 212.7 yards per game and that has allowed two running backs to gain more than 200 yards in the past four weeks.
"It doesn't matter what the stats say," Rice said. "As much as I can say, 'Yeah, they're giving up a lot of yardage,' they're a team that plays with great pride and is not going to quit."
The Scarlet Knights once were No. 10 in the AP poll this season but enter off back-to-back losses to West Virginia and Connecticut. Penalties and mistakes have been the culprit in those losses and the others this year.A big reason for the four losses overall is that Rutgers is 106th in he country turnover margin - out of 119 teams.
"The team is going to be fine," coach Greg Schiano said."We've got a lot of good young players. We have enough senior leadership here to get us through. We're going to work hard this week and go out and play our best game of the year."
Schiano said the thumb on starting quarterback Mike Teel's throwing (right) hand was still sore but he expected him to start. (College Football injury report)
The lowdown: Army leads the all-time series with Rutgers 18-15, but Rutgers has won the last three, including 36-21 at Michie Stadium in 2003. Army's last victory against Rutgers was 37-35 at West Point in 1997. Schiano is 7-1 overall record against Army and Navy. Rutgers is a 19.5-point betting favorite on WagerWeb.com, but Army is 3-0 at home this year - but also on a three-game losing streak. Certainly Rutgers, which can become bowl eligible with a win, has the motivation and superior talent, but I look for Army to cover.
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