Minnesota (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) at Rutgers (4-4, 1-4), Saturday, 12 p.m. EST (NBC)

BetMGM college football odds: Minnesota by 6 1/2.

Series record: Minnesota leads 3-0.

What is at stake?

Minnesota is on a four-game winning streak, its longest in the Big Ten in three years. The Gophers, having earned their bowl eligibility, have a chance for a top-five finish in the 18-team league’s first season if they can maintain the momentum created by their passing attack behind the QB of transfer Max Brosmer. He was brought up from New Hampshire to the FCS level to replace Athan Kaliakmanis, who fled to Rutgers, setting up this grudge match against the Gophers. After a bye week, Rutgers will look to end a four-game losing streak.

Key match

Rutgers has given up an average of nearly 40 points in the last three games in losses to Wisconsin, UCLA and Southern Cal. Defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak, who spent three seasons (2019-21) in Minnesota, becoming DC in 2020, must find something against Gophers offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr., whose unit averages nearly 30 points in its sequence.

Players to watch

Justin Walley, Minnesota CB. The fourth-year starter has been an integral part of Minnesota’s strong pass defense, with two of the team’s 15 interceptions — which ranks second in the FBS — and a team-leading nine assists. He has 26 assists in his career, five shy of the program record.

Rutgers WR Dymere Miller. The Monmouth transfer tied his career high with 11 catches for 131 yards. This is the first time Scarlet Knight has had at least 10 receptions since Mohamed Sanu had 13 at Army in 2011.

Facts and figures

Minnesota coach PJ Fleck was Rutgers’ wide receivers coach in 2010-11 under Greg Schiano. He followed Schiano to Tampa, Fla., in 2012 when he went to the NFL. … Brosmer’s completion percentage (68.2) is on track to set a program record among QBs with a minimum of 100 attempts. He has gone four straight games without an interception, the longest streak for the Gophers since Mitch Leidner bridged the 2014-15 seasons with five straight games without an interception. … Kaliakmanis had a career-high 27 completions and a season-high 313 passing yards against Southern Cal. … RB Kyle Monangai needs 69 yards to reach 1,000 for the second straight season. …Offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca was Minnesota’s OC for four seasons (2017-19, 2022).

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