Rutgers
Scarlet Knights

Still, at 6-2 entering this week's meeting with South Florida, Rutgers will be eligible for a bowl game with its next victory. Assuming that happens -- and there are still games left against Syracuse and Louisville -- the Scarlet Knights will likely be headed to their fifth bowl game in a row.

To put that in perspective, there are seven fifth-year seniors on the roster. Each is in great position now to graduate with a bowl appearance every year on the roster.

When they arrived on campus, the fifth-year seniors who had just left had never seen a bowl game. In fact, it had been 27 years since the Scarlet Knights had reached the postseason.

Given the team's losses in the offseason -- six of last year's starters are now on NFL rosters -- a Big East title may not have been a realistic goal. But the way the Scarlet Knights have been playing, the 2009 senior class should at least be able to continue the school-record streak of bowl trips.

--While the Scarlet Knights are mathematically out of the Big East title race, the team is set up to have an impact on the top of the standings in the future. Only 12 of the players on scholarship on this year's team are seniors.

--Rutgers has taken exceptional care of the ball this season. The Scarlet Knights have just seven turnovers through the season's first eight games.

GAME BALL GOES TO: WR Tim Brown -- With apologies to quarterback Tom Savage, and to the team defense that's been so good at getting on the scoreboard themselves, it's the senior wideout who's having the best year. He's well on his way to joining ex-teammate Kenny Britt in being selected in the NFL Draft.

KEEP AN EYE ON: QB Tom Savage -- The true freshman has done a fine job since taking over the starting quarterback's job, with the possible exception of holding onto the ball too long. He'll continue to be tested in the season's final month, however, with all four opponents remaining in the regular season Big East teams.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We take pride in that because when we first came here this wasn't the hot spot to go. When we first got here the goal was just to get to a bowl. Now you look back and if we go to another one this year you can say we've been consistent throughout our years here." -- Linebacker Damaso Munoz told the Newark Star-Ledger.

Defensively, the Scarlet Knights have been very good at stopping the run. The Scarlet Knights are averaging just 3.3 yards per carry through eight games.

WR Tim Brown isn't just catching more passes, he's continuing to stretch the field. The senior is averaging 21.9 yards per catch, and his five touchdowns average 47.8 yards apiece.

STILL NEEDS WORK: The reason the Scarlet Knights aren't in the Big East title race is that the team has been at its worst against the best. Rutgers' two losses are to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, the league leaders.

Rutgers has a pair of solid runners in Joe Martinek and Jourdan Brooks, plus electrifying freshman De'Antwan Williams. Despite that, the Scarlet Knights have struggled to generate a consistent ground attack, particularly in short-yardage spots around the goal line.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Safety Khaseem Greene suffered what looked like a serious injury against Connecticut, but was back at practice that Wednesday and appears to be good to go for this weekend.

--Safety Zaire Kitchen went down with an injury against Connecticut, and got some extra time off during the bye week to recuperate and to rest his knees. However, he is expected back on the field this weekend.