Everything Rutgers fans need to know about the emotional matchup against Minnesota

There will be a lot of familiarity at SHI Stadium on Saturday.

Rutgers (4-4, 1-4) hosts Minnesota (6-3, 4-2) in a game that features many familiar faces.

Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano was Golden Gophers coach PJ Fleck’s boss in Piscataway and Tampa a decade ago; Fleck coached quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis for three seasons before moving to Rutgers this offseason; Rutgers coordinators Kirk Ciarrocca and Joe Harasymiak were poached from Minneapolis by Schiano, then Fleck returned the favor this offseason by bringing in Corey Hetherman from Piscataway as his defensive coordinator.

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Both sides played down the potential emotionality of the game this week.

“All the focus is on us – the kids continuing to improve, continuing to be 1-0 and finding a way to be better than they were last week,” Fleck said. “And that takes a lot of energy. It really does. It takes a lot of energy, and that’s where the energy is focused.”

Here’s what Rutgers fans need to know before facing Minnesota:

On the field

Rutgers-Minnesota preview: Keys to victory, X-factor and more as similar teams face off

Rutgers-Minnesota picks, predictions: Can the Scarlet Knights win the FAMILY Bowl?

Can Rutgers improve its defense? The leadership is hoping for a rebound in the bye week as Minnesota approaches

Is Rutgers’ health still an issue after the departure? Here’s what Greg Schiano said

Off the field

Can Rutgers reach a bowl? 3 reasons for optimism and concern after the bye week

Where does Rutgers rank nationally with four games left in the regular season?

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Q&A with Rutgers DB Flip Dixon as he faces his former team this weekend

What Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis said about facing his former team

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Patrick Lanni can be reached at [email protected].

Brian Fonseca can be reached at [email protected].