FACTS & STATS: Site: Carrier Dome (49,262) -- Syracuse, New York. Television: Local. Home Record: Rutgers 3-2, Syracuse 0-3. Away Record: Rutgers 0-0, Syracuse 1-2. Neutral Record: Rutgers 0-0, Syracuse 0-0. Conference Record: Rutgers 0-1, Syracuse 1-1. Series Record: Syracuse leads, 28-8-1.

GAME NOTES: The Rutgers Scarlet Knights hit the road for the first time this season, as they take on the Syracuse Orange in Big East action at the Carrier Dome this weekend. The season began with so much promise for the Knights, but following back-to-back losses, the team is in a bit of disarray. Rutgers began the season with five straight home games, and following three consecutive victories, it was defeated by Maryland (34-24) and most recently Cincinnati (28-23) in its Big East opener last weekend. The Knights, who fell out of the Top 25 this past week, hadn't dropped two games in a row since 2005. The team now takes to the road, where it went a solid 4-2 a year ago. As for Syracuse, it is in the midst of three straight games at the Carrier Dome, where it has gone 0-3 thus far. Included in those losses was an embarrassing defeat, 55-14, at the hands of nationally-ranked West Virginia last weekend. It was the second straight loss by the Orange, which now stands at 1-5 overall and 1-1 in league play. Syracuse however, does own a 28-8-1 advantage in the all-time series over Rutgers, although the Knights have won the past two meetings. Last season, the Knights posted a convincing 38-7 victory over the Orange in Piscataway.

Mike Teel threw for a career-high 334 yards, but he was picked off three times and that was too much to overcome for Rutgers in a 28-23 loss to Cincinnati last weekend. Teel completed 22-of-38 pass attempts in the game and even had a chance to give the Knights a late lead, but he was picked off in the red zone in the closing moments. It was certainly a disappointing effort from Teel, who had thrown just two interceptions in the team's first four games. Despite the miscues last weekend, Teel has still had a solid season, throwing for 1,507 yards and 10 scores. His main target has been Tiquan Underwood, who leads the squad with 32 catches, 661 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Underwood however, was limited to just four catches for 60 yards in last weekend's loss. While Teel and Underwood are a huge parts of this offense, there is no bigger piece than tailback Ray Rice, who has rushed for 622 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Last weekend, Rice carried 34 times for 94 yards and he also rushed for his 35th career touchdown, the most in Rutgers' history. The Heisman hopeful is the main focus of opposing teams and he is the primary reason the Knights have been able to average 37.0 ppg and 480.0 total ypg this season.

Rutgers did a nice job on defense last weekend, although the unit surrendered 21 of its 28 points in the third quarter to Cincinnati. The unit gave up 407 total yards in the game, but made up for some of those yards by forcing three turnovers, including an interception that was returned for 36 yards for a touchdown by Devin McCourty. Forcing turnovers has been a problem this year for the Knights, who have generated just seven through five games. Still, this unit has fared well and that is evident in the mere 17.8 ppg and 302.2 total ypg it is allowing. Kevin Malast posted seven tackles and a forced and recovered fumble last weekend, and he now leads the team with 41 stops for the season.

The Orange possess one of the most inept offenses around, as they come into the game averaging just 16.3 ppg and only 260.8 total ypg. The unit has really struggled on the ground, where it is rushing for just 49.2 ypg. Despite being blown out by WVU last weekend, Syracuse was only able to rack up 202 yards of total offense. The team however, did rush for 94 yards in the game and while that doesn't sound like much, it was the most in any single game this season by Syracuse. Curtis Brinkley gained 50 of those yards on 18 totes and he also scored his first touchdown of the year. The junior back hasn't found much room to run this season, though, gaining just 233 yards behind a dismal 2.6 yard per carry average. The lack of a ground has put all the pressure of the shoulders of quarterback Andrew Robinson, who has fared well in throwing for 1,245 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions thus far. Last weekend, though, Robinson wasn't all too effective, as he completed only 5-of-15 tosses for just 100 yards, with one touchdown against two interceptions.

Syracuse's defense hasn't been any better than its offense this season, giving up a whopping 37.5 ppg and 485.0 total ypg. The defense has really played poorly against the run, surrendering 234.7 ypg and 19 touchdowns on the ground. Last weekend, the Orange ran into the high-powered offense of WVU, which rolled up 486 total yards, including 263 on the ground. The defense yielded five rushing touchdowns in the game and failed to record a single turnover or sack. Joe Fields registered 10 stops in the loss and he leads the team in both tackles (52) and interceptions (three) on the year.

The Knights are coming off two devastating losses, but the good news is that Syracuse is next on their schedule. The Orange have been dreadful on both sides of the ball and Rutgers should only add to the problems this weekend. Expect Rice to get going early and the defense to step up, as the Knights get back on track.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Rutgers 34, Syracuse 14