FACTS & STATS: Site: Rutgers Stadium (41,500) -- Piscataway, New Jersey. Television: ESPN-R. Home Record: Pittsburgh 4-2, Rutgers 4-3. Away Record: Pittsburgh 0-3, Rutgers 2-1. Neutral Record: Pittsburgh 0-0, Rutgers 0-0. Conference Record: Pittsburgh 2-2, Rutgers 2-3. Series Record: Pittsburgh leads, 19-5.

GAME NOTES: The Rutgers Scarlet Knights conclude the home portion of their schedule this weekend, as they host the Pittsburgh Panthers in Big East play in Piscataway. The Knights enter the contest on a winning note, as they posted a convincing 41-6 triumph over Army in a non-league affair on November 9th. The win put a stop to a brief two-game slide and improved the squad to 6-4 overall, making it bowl-eligible for the third straight year. Rutgers, which is 4-3 at home this season, now heads back into league play, where it has gone only 2-3 thus far. As for Pittsburgh, it was last in play on November 3rd, when it outlasted Syracuse for a 20-17 victory. It was the second win in three games by the Panthers, who improved to 4-5 overall and an even 2-2 in league play. The team, unfortunately, now must take to the road, where it boasts an 0-3 mark this season. Pittsburgh, however, does own a 19-5 advantage in the all-time series with Rutgers, although the Knights have won the last two encounters.

The Panthers haven't been all that productive on offense this season, as they are averaging just 23.1 ppg off 331.6 total ypg. The unit, though, has had some success on the ground, rushing for a solid 152.2 ypg. In the team's last outing, Pittsburgh rushed for 141 yards and threw for 153 more in a 20-17 win over Syracuse. Freshman LeSean McCoy continued is tremendous rookie season, as he rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries. It was yet another sensational performance by McCoy, who ranks second in the Big East with 1,065 rushing yards for the season. McCoy has scored 12 touchdowns (11 rushing) as well, and he also ranks third on the team with 23 receptions. Another freshman Pittsburgh has relied on is quarterback Pat Bostick, who completed 21-of-30 pass attempts for 153 yards and a touchdown in the win over Syracuse. Since he is just a freshman, Bostick hasn't been asked to air it every week and that helps explain why he has thrown for just 1,058 yards and five scores in seven contests. Oderick Tuner has been his top target and he leads the team with 29 catches, 409 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Against Syracuse, Turner hauled in five balls that went for 54 yards and a score.

Pittsburgh's defense has been rather solid this season and it is holding its foes to 23.8 ppg and 313.1 total ypg. The unit has fared well against both the run (128.6 ypg) and pass (184.6 ypg), but it could stand to force a few more turnovers (10). In the club's last outing, the Panthers didn't generate a single turnovers, but that didn't matter because they held Syracuse to a minuscule 265 total yards. The team also posted six sacks, while allowing Syracuse to convert on only 2-of-14 third down attempts. Scott McKillop led the charge with 12 tackles, while Joe Clermond added a forced fumble and 2.5 sacks. On the season, McKillop is the team's top tackler with 108 stops, and Clermond is the club's best pass rusher with 7.5 sacks.

The Knights are averaging a solid 31.6 ppg this season thanks to their balanced attack that is producing 201.8 ypg on the ground and 259.1 ypg through the air. Heading the charge for this offense is Ray Rice, who leads the Big East with 1,500 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Last week, Rice set a single-game Rutgers record with 234 rushing yards in a 41-6 triumph over Army. He carried the ball 34 times and scored two touchdowns in helping the Knights amass a season-high 404 yards on the ground. Quarterback Mike Teel started the game at Army, but he left after just four pass attempts due to a thumb injury that had been bothering him. Jabu Lovelace stepped in for Teel and he threw for just 28 yards, but he made up for that by rushing for a career-high 81 yards and two touchdowns on 23 totes. Teel, though, is listed as probable for this game and that is good news for Rutgers considering Lovelace has a limited amount of experience. Teel, on the other hand, had taken nearly ever snap prior to the Army game, and he has thrown for 2,481 yards and 14 scores on the season. Tiquan Underwood has been Teel's first option all season long and he leads the club with 57 catches, 962 receiving yards and six scores.

On the defensive side of the ball, Rutgers has held its own this season, as it is allowing just 20.5 ppg and 308.9 total ypg. The defense has shown some vulnerability to the run (155.7 ypg), but it has fared well versus the pass (153.2 ypg). Sacking opposing quarterbacks has also been a strength for the Knights, who has notched 25 for the year. Last week, Rutgers turned in a tremendous defensive effort, as it held Army to just 152 total yards. The unit gave up a mere six first downs and didn't allow Army to convert any of its 11 third-down opportunities. Ron Girault led the way, as he logged five tackles and two forced fumbles. For the season, Courtney Greene and Kevin Malast are tied for the team-lead in tackles with 73 apiece.

Rutgers has the advantage on both sides of the ball and behind another strong performance from Rice, it should be able to get past a Pittsburgh club that has yet to win on the road this season.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Rutgers 31, Pittsburgh 13