Rutgers football’s Week 1 matchup against Northwestern is a must-win
On Sunday, September 3, Rutgers football is preparing to kick off their 2023 season against Northwestern. The Scarlet Knights’ week one matchup is a must-win game for the program, knowing the other Big Ten opponents they have waiting on their schedule (Michigan, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Indiana, Ohio State, Iowa, Penn State, and Maryland) is an uphill battle.
The Scarlet Knights have a chance to defeat Northwestern for the first time since 1991, but if they fall short, the 2023 season can be ugly for the Scarlet Knights. According to ESPN, the Wildcats were the only Power Five school ranked in the 2023 Preseason Bottom 10, finishing the fourth-worst team in college football.
In 2022, the Wildcats opened up the season with a huge upset win against Nebraska football in Ireland, as big underdogs. Northwestern is looking for the same magic this year as they take on the Scarlet Knights.
The Wildcats went on to finish the 2022 season with a 1-11 record and now are missing a head coach for the 2023 season after head coach Pat Fitzgerald was recently fired after a hazing scandal began.
The Wildcats’ defensive coordinator, David Braun, will step in as interim coach while they look for Fitzgerald’s full-time replacement.
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If the Scarlet Knights want to compete in a bowl game in 2023, the first task is beating Northwestern at home. Rutgers, even with a very strong Michigan team come Week 4, has the chance to start the season strong.
A win over Northwestern would be an important first step in the process.
Northwestern scares me the most out of those four opponents because they have nothing to lose. Northwestern football is seeking to repair its tarnished legacy, and an upset victory over the Scarlet Knights might fix that.
