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Michigan Football: 3 Rutgers Scarlet Knights to watch this week

By Jared Dettmer

Nov 14, 2020; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano talks with running back Isaih Pacheco (1) during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2020; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano talks with running back Isaih Pacheco (1) during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Michigan football team is reeling. Lucky for the Wolverines, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights are up next on the schedule.

Michigan football fell to 1-3 on Saturday in embarrassing fashion to the Wisconsin Badgers by a score of 49-11. Coming off one of the worst performances in the history of The Big House, U-M gets a fortuitous bounce as it is set to take on Rutgers this week, the worst program in the Big Ten since they joined in 2014.

If the Wolverines flounder against Rutgers and somehow the Scarlet Knights pull off the earth-shattering upset, expect big changes to be made to the staff and personnel.

However, I do not expect Michigan football to lose to Rutgers this weekend. As bad as Michigan has played at times this season, they are still a much better football team and the Wolverines should have as much motivation as ever to bury their opponent.

Rutgers has already done the impossible and won their its Big Ten conference matchup in 22 tries earlier this year against Michigan State. They will be trying desperately to sweep the state of Michigan in new/old Head Coach Greg Schiano’s (second?) inaugural season.

So let’s take a look at the three players Michigan football must account for on Saturday to avoid further catastrophe.

Isaih Pacheco

Season Stats: 55 carries, 286 yards, 2 TD, 12 receptions, 79 yards

Pacheco has been possibly Rutgers’ most consistent offensive player for each of his three seasons in Piscataway. Averaging just north of five yards per carry, Pacheco presents a sizable challenge for a Michigan defense that just allowed over 300 yards on the ground against Wisconsin.

Isaih Pacheco does not possess the raw talent of Wisconsin’s Jalen Berger, nor does he run behind such a stout, road grading offensive line, but he has carved out a successful Big Ten career for himself.

In Rutgers’ two most competitive games this season, a 38-27 win over MSU and last week’s 23-20 loss to Illinois, Pacheco has received 19 and 20 carries, respectively. In their two multiple score losses, Pacheco got only 16 carries combined.

Schiano should look to get Pacheco and the running game working early as that seems to be their blueprint for success this season.

As for the other two Scarlet Knights to watch in the matchup against Michigan Football Saturday night, click below.

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