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Rutgers has something left to prove

Dec 28, 2006 - 1:25 PM No. 16 Rutgers (10-2) at Kansas St (7-5) December 28 Texas Bowl 8:00 pm EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Rutgers is truly in uncharted territory.

The Scarlet Knights have had their best season in 30 years, burst on to the national scene with a win over a top-five team and nearly made it to the BCS. If all that isn't enough, should Rutgers lose to Kansas State in the Texas Bowl, the season will likely be considered a failure.

It's probably not fair but it's true: Rutgers (10-2) needs to beat Kansas State on December 28 to validate its breakthrough season.

The Scarlet Knights can achieve just its second 11-win season in 137 years of football. The only other 11-win season in Rutgers history was 1976 (11-0).

Rutgers started the season 9-0 and was on track for a BCS bowl bid after a 28-25 victory over Louisville. The Scarlet Knights lost to Cincinnati in their next game, but had a second chance to win the Big East and lock up an Orange Bowl bid. They came up short, losing, 41-39, at West Virginia in triple overtime in their season finale.

Regardless of what happens in Houston, Rutgers is headed in the right direction and running back Ray Rice is leading the way. A sophomore, Rice rushed for 1,624 yards and 19 TDs this season. He combines with fullback Brian Leonard to form one of the country's best backfields.

Rutgers is also formidable on the other side of the ball, ranking seventh in the nation in total defense, allowing 259.8 yards per game.

Kansas State (7-5) has had a bounce-back season under first-year coach Ron Prince that included a 45-42 victory over Texas on November 11.

Freshman quarterback Josh Freeman will have to have a big game for the Wildcats to pull the upset. He threw for 269 yards and three TDs in the upset of the Longhorns and will have to be as good, if not better, for Kansas State to pull the upset.

Freeman finished the season with six TD passes and 13 interceptions. Kansas State can't afford for Freeman to turn the ball over against Rutgers, which allowed only 14.7 points per game.

The Wildcats are 6-6 all time in bowl games while the Scarlet Knights are 0-2.