GOPHERS OFFENSE VS. RUTGERS DEFENSE

Coach Tracy Claeys told the Star Tribune that Mitch Leidner (concussion) has been cleared to play. But the team hasn't announced whether Leidner or Conor Rhoda will start at QB. Rutgers will try to slow Minnesota's ground game.

Advantage: Gophers

SPECIAL TEAMS

Both teams have accurate kickers, but Rutgers sorely misses Janarion Grant (season-ending ankle injury). He has eight career return touchdowns (five on kickoffs, three on punts).

Advantage: Gophers

PLAYER TO WATCH
Rutgers sophomore QB Giovanni Rescigno will make his first career start, replacing junior Chris Laviano, who completed just four of 22 pass attempts against Ohio State and Michigan. Rescigno (pronounced Reh-sheen-yo) completed 10 of 18 second-half passes for 120 yards in last week's loss to Illinois.
THE OPPONENT

The Scarlet Knights were tied with Iowa 7-7 before the Hawkeyes scored the winning touchdown with less than nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Since then, Rutgers has been outscored 160-7.

GOPHERS DEFENSE VS. RUTGERS OFFENSE

Rutgers outgained Iowa (383-355) and Illinois (385-320). But turnovers (including five in the loss to Illinois) have hurt the Scarlet Knights. Minnesota, meanwhile, has a plus-six turnover margin and has scored 45 points off turnovers.

Associated Press, Star Tribune
Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner

Advantage: Gophers

INTANGIBLES

This will be the Gophers' 96th homecoming game. They are 56-36-3 all-time on homecoming, with wins the past two years (over Ohio in 2015 and Purdue in 2014).

Advantage: Gophers

JOE'S PREDICTION

Gophers 34, Rutgers 17

The defense could take a step back, but the Gophers should generate enough offense to win without much of a sweat.