Rutgers Football: 2018 season game-by-game predictions

PISCATAWAY, NJ - SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach Chris Ash of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights stands on the sidelines during a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 30, 2017 at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. Ohio State won 56-0. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Since joining the Big Ten, Rutgers has split four matchups with the Hoosiers with the last two years culminating in losses. In 2017, Rutgers surrendered 41 points in a thrashing on the road.

This time around, Rutgers will have the benefit of playing at home and it should be a fairly even game for both teams. Based on ESPN’s Big Ten power rankings, Indiana is the 10th-best team while Rutgers comes in as the 13th-best team in the conference.

Much like Rutgers, Indiana enters the new season without a direct answer at quarterback. Richard Lagow, who started most of the games last season graduated which leaves Peyton Ramsey in line to start. However, he is being challenged by several other quarterbacks for the top spot.

The one bit of good news for Rutgers is that Indiana didn’t have much of a ground game last season. The Hoosiers bring back its leading rusher, Morgan Ellison, but he only ran for just over 700 yards in 2017. Considering Indiana doesn’t have a prolific rusher, this can benefit a Rutgers defense that had issues defending the run last year.

This will be a close game that may go down to the wire, but Rutgers can gain the slight edge it needs to garner the victory.

Final: Indiana 14, Rutgers 17 (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten)

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