Keys to victory for Rutgers against Indiana

Rutgers (5-2; 2-2) will travel to face Indiana (2-4; 0-3) on Saturday at noon ET airing on the Big Ten Network. The Scarlet Knights are one win away from achieving bowl eligibility for the first time since 2014. RU is currently a 5.5 point road favorite in this key conference matchup.

Indiana is making a decision on a starting quarterback and sticking with it. How the Rutgers defense attacks whoever is under center will be key due to both options being redshirt freshmen.

Holding Indiana’s most explosive player, Jaylin Lucas, in check is crucial in this game. The Hoosiers struggle to score points but Lucas has legitimate speed that can be a problem. He has 653 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns for Indiana so far this season in six games.

Offensively, Rutgers will need to connect downfield in the passing game to help open up the run game. Wearing teams down for the fourth quarter has been a big part of this team’s success. The Scarlet Knights are outscoring opponents in the fourth quarter 79-34.

Obviously playing mistake free and fundamentally sound football is important. But against a team you are favored against on the road, committing turnovers, silly penalties, missing tackles, dropping passes and making bad reads add up quickly.

David Anderson returns to preview Rutgers-Indiana including keys on both sides of the ball, the emotional lift of the Michigan State win, a potential QB change for the Hoosiers, a possible defensive shift for RU and more.

Listen and watch to this episode below.

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