UCLA (1-5, 0-4 Big Ten) at Rutgers (4-2, 1-2), Saturday, noon ET (FS1)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Rutgers by 6 1/2.
Series record: First meeting.
What’s at stake?
UCLA is looking to avoid its first six-game losing streak since dropping the final game of the 2017 season and the first five in 2018. Rutgers is trying to end a two-game losing streak and move within a win of becoming bowl eligible.
Key matchup
When Rutgers can run the ball it wins. The run game has been limited the past two weeks, particularly defending Big Ten rushing champion Kyle Monangai. He was held to 72 yards and a TD by Nebraksa and 78 yards by Wisconsin last week. UCLA is ranked 13th in FBS in rushing defense, yielding 92.5 yards. It held Minnesota to 41 yards rushing this past weekend and limited Penn State to a season-low 85 yards the game before that.
Players to watch
UCLA: LB Carson Schwesinger led the Bruins with 13 tackles, 4 1/2 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in the loss to Minnesota. He is leading the Big Ten and is second in the nation with 47 solo tackles. His 62 overall tackles is tied for the conference lead.
Rutgers: QB Athan Kaliakmanis has struggled the past two games. He has completed 27 of 69 passes for 289 yards, one touchdown and three of his four interceptions this season. That’s a 39.1% completion rate and the Scarlet Knights have been limited to seven points in each of the last two games. The Minnesota transfer needs to pick up his game for Rutgers to rebound.
Facts & figures
UCLA is the only team in FBS to not have scored 20 points in a game this season. According to Sportradar, they are the sixth major conference team since 2000 to not score 20 points in their first six games. Colorado was the last (first seven games in 2022). …The Bruins running game, which used to be a strength, is 132nd out of 134 FBS teams, averaging only 59.5 yards per game and 2.3 yards per carry. … QB Ethan Garber threw for a career-high 293 yards Minnesota, including a 42-yard touchdown to WR J.Michael Sturdivant. It was the Bruins’ longest TD pass of the season. … Rutgers has lost two straight after opening 4-0. … The Scarlet Knights lost backup running back Samuel Brown for the season with a lower-body injury against Wisconsin. … Freshman Antwan Raymond probably will be the backup to Monangai. … Rutgers ranks second nationally in blocked punts (2), fourth in fewest penalties per game (4.0), ninth in red zone defense (68.4 percent) and 20th in fewest turnovers surrendered (5). ___
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