IU heads to Piscataway to take on Rutgers for the first time in the Curt Cignetti Era. Rutgers is 1-3 overall with bad losses to UMass and Boston College. However, in its game against USC, Rutgers’ offense did show that it is capable of putting up points. IU has lost three straight games to Rutgers dating back to 2021, but as Cignetti says, “this team has never played here before,” and we fully expect Cignetti to have the team ready to go for its first road game of the season.

In a loaded 2027 WR draft class, most analysts have KJ Duff near the top of their lists. At 6’6”, 225 pounds, Duff is a physical receiver who has been unstoppable on 50/50 balls. A player of Duff’s caliber is difficult to stop with a single defender, and we fully expect Bryant Haines to have his group keyed in on the star wideout. IU’s passing defense struggled last week against Northwestern, allowing TE Luke Dehnicke and WR Griffin Wilde to combine for 196 yards and 2 TDs. Duff will be another test for this defensive back group, which will still be missing A.J. Harris for a fourth straight week.

Outside of KJ Duff, the passing game has been a struggle for Rutgers. Dylan Lonergan and AJ Surance have both seen snaps for the Scarlet Knights this season. Together, they have thrown for 12 TDs and 9 INTs, not ideal. If IU can continue to shut down the run and force Rutgers into clear passing scenarios, this team will provide plenty of opportunities to take the ball away.