Rutgers running attack looms large going into USC game this week

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USC football faces Rutgers in its Big Ten opener this coming Saturday. What to expect from the Rutgers running back room? It has been a fluid situation for the Scarlet Knights. Consider what College Sports Wire noted this past offseason:

"The Rutgers Scarlet Knights earned a major commitment flip. Four-star running back Aiden Gibson flipped his commitment from Penn State to Rutgers, according to Hayes Fawcett. He also reclassified to the class of 2026, so he could make his debut this upcoming season. Gibson stands at 6-foot-1 and weighs 212 pounds. He plays high school football for Woodruff High School in Woodruff, South Carolina, and he was ranked as the No. 17 running back and No. 269 prospect in the nation.

"The Scarlet Knights have already seen most of their class of 2026 enroll in the school, but it's unknown when Gibson will enroll. When Gibson does, he will be joining the No. 54 class of 2026 in the nation, according to 247Sports. They have the No. 39 composite class, but they also have the No. 81 transfer class."

If a running back reclassifies for the current season and moves his overall career timetable up one year, that should be taken as an indication that Rutgers was not entirely set or satisfied with what it had. What will the Rutgers running game do against USC? The Scarlet Knights have to control the ball and keep it away from Jayden Maiava to have any chance of winning. It is arguably the biggest key to Saturday's game.

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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Rutgers running attack looms large going into USC game this week

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