New Era Pinstripe Bowl Preview: Rutgers vs Iowa State

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (8-4, 4-3 in Big East Conference)

Most impressive victory: 20-3 vs. Cincinnati (Nov. 19)

Worst loss: 22-40 at Connecticut (Nov. 26)

Notable alumni: Louis Freeh, Calista Flockhart, Jeff Torborg, David Stern and Ray Rice

Rutgers won the first-ever intercollegiate football game, 6-4, over Princeton, Nov. 6, 1869. They didn’t fare as well in the rematch a week later, falling 8-0. Since no other games were played that season, the Scarlet Knights were the first (albeit defacto) national co-champions. Suffice it to say, scoring and many other aspects of the game have changed in the intervening 142 years, but Rutgers has not found the record books too often in that period.

That said, during head coach Greg Schiano’s tenure (2001-present), the Scarlet Knights have been to six of their seven bowl games, including this contest. Rutgers is 4-2 overall in bowl appearances but has prevailed in four straight. They last played the University of Central Florida in the St. Petersburg Bowl, Dec. 19, 2009, winning 45-24. Despite this, Schiano has a just a .500 (67-67) record at Rutgers.

The Scarlet Knights have alternated QBs throughout the season. Freshman Gary Nova has seen the most time, compiling 1,500 passing yards with 11 TDs and 9 INTs. Sophomore Chas Dodd is close behind with 1,400 yards, 9 TDs and 7 INTs. The two have alternated, even sharing duties during games, based on effectiveness. If QB play has been indecisive, the performance of Junior WR Mohamed Sanu has been solid. He has amassed 1,150 yards and 7 TDs. Sophomore Brandon Coleman has 460 yards and 5 TDs. Sophomore RB Juwan Jamison is the clear rushing leader with 760 yards and 7 TDs. The offense is ranked 96^th overall and 112^th in rushing. The defense is 12^th against the pass as well as 12^th overall.

Iowa State Cyclones (6-6, 3-6 in Big 12 Conference)

Most impressive victory: 37-31 vs. Oklahoma State (Nov. 18)

Worst loss: 17-52 at Missouri (Oct. 15)

Notable alumni: George Washington Carver, Sen. Tom Harkin, Jack Trice, and Graham Spanier

Despite a 6-6 record, the Cyclones’ season has two worthy footnotes: they cost the Oklahoma State Cowboys a shot at the national title and their QB has one of the best names in the game, Steele Jantz.

Jantz, (1,300 yards, 10 TDs, 9 INTs) a junior, was injured earlier in the season. Though not severe, he was forced to the sideline and his replacement, Freshman Jared Barnett, performed well (1,200 yards, 6 TDs, 6 INTs), including engineering the win over the previously undefeated Cowboys. He has been at the helm since replacing Jantz after the injury. Sophomore RB James White shoulders the bulk of the rushing assignments. He has 700 yards and 8 TDs. Barnett is second with 430 yards. Senior WR Darius Reynolds has the most receiving yards (650) and TDs (7). Junior wideout Josh Lenz has 438 yards and 2 TDs. The Cyclones are 53^rd in overall offense and 97^th in defense.

This will be Iowa State’s 11^th bowl appearance. They are 3-7 in the previous games, having edged Minnesota most recently, 14-13 in the 2009 Insight Bowl. The Cyclones just resigned head coach Paul Rhodes through the 2021 season, a reward for the Oklahoma State victory, and for a win in in Iowa City against in-state rival Iowa, largely. His record is 18-19 since replacing Gene Chizik in 2009.

The Picks

Pete: The two teams had a common opponent in the Connecticut Huskies (5-7) this year. Iowa State beat UConn in East Hartford 24-20 (Sept. 16). Rutgers ended their year losing 40-22 at Rentschler Field (Nov. 26).

The Big 12 was a much better conference than the Big East this year. Iowa State has faced Oklahoma, Baylor and Kansas State during the season. Their depth and experience should serve them well.

Iowa State 27, Rutgers 24

Kevin: With the exception of the UConn game, Rutgers had a pretty good year and didn’t lose any games by more than 10 points. Iowa State, on the hand, was all over the map. They got bombed by Texas, Baylor and Missouri in back-to-back-to-back weeks (all bowl teams) but then they found a way to beat Oklahoma State. This will be a close game and in close games I’m going to take the better defense. Give me Rutgers and yes I know I just picked a Big East team to beat a Big 12 team.

Rutgers 27 Iowa State 17